Daniel Craig Reportedly Back As James Bond After Years Of Casting Rumors
After years of struggle to find the next James Bond, it’s been announced that Daniel Craig is set to return as the iconic Ian Fleming character. Craig repeatedly said he would never sign on to another 007 flick after finishing 2015’s Spectre, but thankfully he has rescinded his claims.
Mirror Online broke the news yesterday of Craig’s reported return, ending years of debate over who would be the new Bond. Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston, Tom Hardy, James Norton, and Aidan Turner were just a few names being tossed around after Craig stated he would not return for Bond 25. Craig vehemently denied rumors he would appear in a fifth film, saying he would rather slash his wrists than continue on in the popular franchise.
Bond producer Barbara Broccoli is reportedly the reason Craig decided to stay on as the MI6 agent. Bringing back Craig was a feat of its own, but Broccoli is also confident she can get Adele to return for another theme song. Adele penned “Skyfall” for the movie of the same name in 2012. The hit earned the Brit an Academy Award, and is one of the reasons the movie was the most successful in the franchise to date. An unknown source explains that Daniel and Adele together are what it takes for Bond 25 to be successful.
“Craig and Adele together are the winning team, the ultimate choice, the money spinners. It’s taken time but Daniel has come round and the strong con–sensus [sic] in the Bond offices is that Mr Craig is 007 again. As for Adele, she’s more of an unknown quantity but loved being part of Bond, so the signs are positive.”
Broccoli hopes to begin filming on Bond 25 in 2018, which would mean a probable 2019 release. This would leave four years between Bond releases, something not unusual in Craig’s tenure. The British hunk began his role as 007 in 2006’s Casino Royale. Quantum of Solace followed two years later, with Skyfall four years after that. Spectre‘s debut in 2015 was the worst reviewed of the bunch, and fans were disappointed to see Craig end his stint as Bond on a low note.
Returning alongside Broccoli, Craig, and Adele is John Logan. Logan penned Skyfall and Spectre and should begin working on the new script shortly.
Craig’s rumored return would land him at the number three spot among Bond actors tenure with five films. He follows the original Bond, Sean Connery, with seven films, alongside Roger Moore, also with seven films. Pierce Brosnan holds the fourth spot with four films, Timothy Dalton follows with two, and one-timers David Niven and George Lazenby fall at the end of the list.
Now all can rejoice as Craig will reportedly shoot his fifth Bond film, which is currently untitled. At one point, he was rumored to be offered $150 million for two more films after Spectre, which Vanity Fair debunked. There are no details just yet on this current negotiation, but the figures will undoubtedly be hefty.
[Featured Image by EON Productions]
