Its been floating around the tabloids, papers and news networks all week but a few hours ago at a press conference it was finally made official - 37-year-old British actor Daniel Craig IS the new James Bond.
The choice, ending months (nay years) of speculation was announced in grand style when the actor swept up the River Thames on a power launch to a news conference in the shadow of Tower Bridge, escorted by Royal Marines boats all the way.
Craig has appeared in a bunch of films over the past decade, famous usually for playing villainous roles more than heroes as such. His credits include such hits as "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider", "Road to Perdition", "Elizabeth" and "The Power of One" along with more limited release fare like "Sylvia", "I Dreamed of Africa", "The Jacket", and "Layer Cake". The next year or so is looking stellar for him as well with key roles in Steven Spielberg's "Munich" and starring opposite Nicole Kidman in "The Visiting".
The choice does match in with the general tone of "Casino Royale", the next film in the series which is based on Ian Fleming's first 007 novel. Sticking close in tone with the book, the film will essentially serve as a prequel which shows British naval commander turned MI6 agent James Bond on his first assignment as 007. The mission? A foreign assassin has lost his nation's funds on a failed private venture and is attempting to win them back at a famous casino. Bond must go in and beat him at his own game to ensure his death comes at the hand of his own people.
Even before the official announcement, Craig's selection has drawn compliments and criticisms from all around with everyone weighing in with their opinion. So here's mine as a major Bond fan from way back when who loves pretty much all the films (though there's a few reekers). Craig is someone I always thought would make a good James Bond villain, but as Bond himself I couldn't picture it til recently. Much of that was because he always plays so severe on screen that its hard to see him in a good guy role - the other week I saw his leading role performance in Brit gangster film "Layer Cake" and for the first time I thought yeah, he could do Bond after all.
As the Bond's go the very buff Craig has the best body, but the harshest face by far. I've already heard comments from some producers and colleagues who describe him as not good looking enough (maybe they should look in a mirror some time themselves) for the part. The trouble with Bond is he's a very complicated character - he has to be handsome, suave, classy, charming, sophisticated, misogynistic, playful, witty, ruthless and cold all in one go.
Many of the candidates mentioned in the press lack some of these key qualities whether it be Hugh Jackman (who's never convincingly cold or chauvinistic), Colin Farrell (not classy enough) or Julian McMahon (lacks all but the misogyny). Craig may be a bit 'rough looking' but I have no doubts he can pull off the darker un-PC aspects of the character. Whether he can do the playful charm though we'll have to wait and see.
A copy of the press release can be found here.
Thanks to 'Julez', 'John', 'Devin', 'Steven', 'wiz28181', 'Matt', 'FuuuFuuu', 'Matt', 'John', 'Lon', 'vic', 'Cody', 'Scary G' & 'Petter'
