Daniel Craig, famous for portraying the iconic British spy James Bond, recently opened up about why he wouldn’t have taken on the role in Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film Queer during his tenure as 007. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Craig shared his thoughts on why it would have been impossible for him to work on such a project while playing the legendary secret agent.
Acting While Bond
Craig, who became a household name with his portrayal of James Bond, emphasized the stark differences in the roles he took on throughout his career. He confessed, “I couldn’t have done this while doing Bond,” referring to Queer, which deals with a different kind of storytelling than the action-packed Bond films. Craig elaborated by explaining that had he attempted such a role during his time as 007, it might have come across as “reactionary,” suggesting he was trying too hard to showcase his acting range.
The Exhaustion of Playing Bond
Daniel Craig also opened up about the intense emotional toll that playing James Bond had on him. After each Bond film, he described feeling completely drained. “I was so exhausted at the end of a Bond, it would take me six months to recover emotionally,” he shared. Craig admitted that, despite his early desire to take on various projects while filming Bond, the physical and mental demands of the role often kept him from pursuing them.
The actor said he once thought he should have been working on other projects during his Bond years, but quickly realized the physical and emotional toll left him with little energy for other roles. Craig recalled, “I always had the attitude that life must come first,” but later acknowledged that when work came first, it became overwhelming and left him feeling stretched thin.
Craig’s Bond Journey
Daniel Craig’s tenure as James Bond spanned almost 15 years. He first stepped into the role in Casino Royale (2006), opposite Eva Green. The success of the film led to further sequels, including Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and finally, No Time to Die (2021). Each of these films added to his growing legacy as one of the most memorable actors to portray the legendary spy. Craig’s portrayal of Bond left a mark, with his films showcasing talented stars such as Javier Bardem, Mads Mikkelsen, Christoph Waltz, and Rami Malek.
His exit from the franchise after No Time to Die marked the end of an era for Bond fans, as Craig bid farewell to the beloved character.
Transitioning to Queer
Now, in a different phase of his career, Daniel Craig is set to star in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, a film that diverges from his usual action-packed roles. Queer also features Drew Starkey, Henry Zaga, and Jason Schwartzman, further expanding Craig’s acting range into new and challenging territories.
While he may have once felt trapped in the world of 007, Craig is now exploring roles that allow him to expand his acting career in a way that would have been unthinkable during his time as Bond.
For more updates on Queer and Daniel Craig, stay tuned to Vviptimes.
