The unbelievable reason Daniel Craig almost wasn’t picked to play James Bond
Daniel Craig has etched his name in history as one of the most iconic actors to play James Bond but imagine a world where he never played the role because he wasn’t considered “sexy” enough for the job.
When it was time to pass the James Bond torch to a new actor after Pierce Brosnan said goodbye to the iconic role, Casino Royale director Martin Campbell reportedly had some doubts about casting Daniel Craig. Despite Craig’s undeniable acting skills and range, Campbell was kind of worried about his looks.
He openly revealed his former concern to Express.co.uk, saying Craig’s “tougher and rugged” looks didn’t quite fit the traditional Bond mold where previous actors like Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Pierce Brosnan fit into – all seen as conventionally handsome and appealing. I know, it’s super ridiculous.
According to Campbell, the casting crew, including himself and the producers, sat around a table, sifting through eight final candidates to become the new Bond in Casino Royale. As we can imagine, a unanimous decision was needed to secure the next role, and among those was none other than the future Superman and our favorite nerd celebrity, Henry Cavill. Despite his remarkable audition and acting prowess, Cavill was deemed too young for the role at the time – which marks the second ridiculous statement in this article.
Anyway, back to Craig.
Daniel Craig proved doubters wrong with legendary James Bond performance
After some thought and consideration, and brushing aside the worry of his distinct appearance, Craig was eventually given the Bond role, but it turns out that not everyone was impressed. The media backlash against Craig’s casting was unnecessarily mean and intense. Too many folks doubted his ability to embody the classic character, spinning inaccurate and just plain mean rumors. Rude.
But despite the heavily thrown negativity and doubt, Craig remained unshaken, kept his focus, and committed to proving everyone wrong – which he absolutely did. He dove into the role with such intensity and dedication that when Casino Royale hit the theaters, the same skeptics were left eating their words for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily for the next month. Craig’s portrayal of Bond left everyone in awe and made people realize that he was just perfect for the Bond role and completely made it his own.
After Casino Royale, Craig went on to star in four more Bond movies, solidifying his place as one of the most beloved actors to ever take on the role. His final bow as Bond was in 2021’s No Time to Die, leaving behind a legacy of a Bond that not only broke the mold but reshaped it entirely. And, with this mold being broken, there’s a chance to break it even more as the search for the next Bond begins. More diverse and different actors could have a chance at portraying the suave, sexy, and combat-proficient character we have all come to love, and that’s really exciting.
Daniel Craig’s almost-missed-but-thankfully-saved opportunity to play James Bond is proof that taking a chance on the “rugged and tough” can pay off in unimaginable ways, giving us one of the most unforgettable Bonds in the history of the franchise. Cheers to Daniel Craig, and we can’t wait to see who will wear the suits, steal the shows, and utter the words “The name’s Bond. James Bons.” next.
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Are you a fan of Daniel Craig’s portrayal of James Bond? Who is your favorite actor to tackle the legendary role?