There has been a lot of press over the last few days since Daniel Craig said in an interview that he would “slash his wrists” before making another Bond movie and if he did another he would only be doing it for the money.
The criticisms have been various. That he is biting the hand that feeds him, that he is ungrateful, or that suicide is a serious problem that his turn of phrase makes light of.
A few things here.
First, the interview appears to have been conducted just days after his work on SPECTRE had finished. He had just completed a seven month shoot and looking forward to some time off before hitting the premiere trail and the round of interviews associated with that circus.
The last thing he would have been eagerly looking forward to would be making a new Bond film. And don’t forget that his work goes much deeper (and longer) than showing up to act.
He has been deeply involved with creatively since Quantum of Solace at least and was instrumental in getting Sam Mendes on board, and not just once. And on the new film he has a producer credit, showing how much work he must have out in during pre-production.
“Ah yes, but he gets paid millions of dollars”, you may think. And if not you, then someone you know.
But that doesn’t change the fact he probably feels like some time off from Bond, put his feet up, relax, recuperate and then, and only then, start thinking of Bond 25.
That doesn’t mean he’ll do it for sure. But it does mean he is along way from officially retiring from the role, as is being reported in some papers.
On one hand I feel that the journalists writing this stuff know what the situation is but there is no story in it, and so they spin what he says more literally. Except I saw the deputy editor of The Mirror on Sky News and he seemed deadly earnest.
Sometimes it might pay to think.
Craig has also been criticized by organizations helping prevent suicides for saying he’d rather slash his wrists. But c’mon. It’s just a turn of phrase, do we really have to be this politically correct? Who do they think is going to be influenced into suicide by Daniel Craig’s comments?
October 14th, 2015 at 12:41
He´s credited as asssociate producer for´Spectre´.
With sucha privelege,he´s bound to make Bond 25!
October 16th, 2015 at 15:49
I tend to agree with you. Making a Bond movie becomes more and more complex and the audience expectations are higher each time a new movie comes out. Daniel Craig is a terrific Bond. He has finally brought back the Connery type of Bond (at least through the first 5 films) and the fact that he shows up for the role by being in tremendous shape gives him a lot of credibility. Personally I hope he stays on for a while because of how good he is and there isn’t anyone else around who can do it!
October 17th, 2015 at 13:28
Whatever Daniel Craig’s comments, it is my belief that Daniel brought new life to the James Bond franchise and an interpretation of Bond that was very close to the Ian Fleming’s novels, as his predecessor Timothy Dalton attempted to do. When Daniel departs it will be very interesting to see who replaces him, as the first time in the history of Bond a plethora of successful actors in their own right have indicated an interest in playing this most iconic role of all time. These include Henry Cavill, Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman. Whoever does eventually replace Daniel, the Bond legacy will always remain.