Daniel Craig’s five James Bond movies made him a household name. Royal Casino Craig’s previously solid, albeit relatively obscure, acting career turned into something completely different. In retrospect it’s hard to believe that he never wanted to play James Bond in the first place. Not only did the role bring in international superstars, it also helped Craig overcome a lifelong fear.
Craig is the longest running ‘James Bond’ actor
No Time to Die, Craig’s fifth turn donning impeccably tailored suits while fulfilling his MI6 duties, finally hit theaters in 2021, marking the actor’s last Bond film. Rumors of Craig leaving the role had been circulating for years, but he left the franchise on good terms. At least the reaction of the casting that followed him before 2006 Royal Casino had decreased.
When all was said and done, Craig’s 15 years of playing bond were longer than any other.
Sean Connery first played the super spy and acted in five bond movies from 1962-67 before returning for Diamonds are forever in 1971. Roger Moore directed seven films in the series from 1973-85, but no one has approached Craig’s longevity as James Bond†
Royal Casino helped revive the bond franchise, and it also helped Craig overcome his lifelong fear.
Craig overcame his fear of heights while filming ‘Casino Royale’
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The first credits scene after the opening in Royal Casino sees bond in a parkour-heavy chase through a market and construction zone. Part of the chase takes place on the arm of a tower crane, and apart from some sequences where the stunt doubles up, Craig was the one who ran past the crane at a great height.
It’s not clear on film, but Craig called the scene the most challenging of his tenure due to his lifelong fear of heights, as he revealed to GQ (via YouTube):
“Into the tap order Casino was one of the most challenging and fun scenes because when i started Royal Casino, I was afraid of heights. And then I wasn’t. So I had to walk about 20 meters up a scaffold and past beams that were about 15 centimeters in diameter. No, run over beams that were 6 inches in the air and that was — it wasn’t fun, but it was a challenge.”
Daniel Craig
In the same video, Craig said: Royal Casino is also responsible for some of his favorite stunts, especially the physicality he needed for the final at the sinking house in Venice, Italy.
Who’s going to play ‘James Bond’ after Craig?
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Now that Craig has left the role and ends his tenure at the top of the Bond rankings, the question is, who’s next?
The answer is equally succinct: who knows?
As Esquire noted, the list of actors who could be play James Bond is about as long as the celluloid rolls of the previous 25 films put together. The list includes certifiable stars such as Tom Hardy, Tom Holland and Robert Pattinson, Briderton actors Tom Hopper and René-Jean Page, and a slew of British-born gentlemen.
We do know one thing: bond will always be a man, according to producer Barbara Broccoli. However, as Esquire reported, she hasn’t even thought about who will fill Craig’s shoes.
Craig overcame his fear, proved the doubters wrong, and finished as the longest-lived Bond. Whoever is besides playing, the role is to fill big shoes.
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