‘This next James Bond film is going to be my last’: Daniel Craig confirms he will NOT return as the iconic secret agent… following claims he ‘isn’t ready’ to walk away
- The actor will return in No Time To Die, his fifth Bond movie, in November
- But he insists he will not match Sean Connery by playing Bond six times
- Craig’s last appearance as iconic secret agent Bond came in 2015 hit Spectre
- He has held the role longer than any actor in the franchise’s 58-year history
- But he is still two films shy of Roger Moore’s seven, which is still a record
Daniel Craig has confirmed his next James Bond film will be his last, dismissing claims that he ‘isn’t ready’ to walk away from the long-running franchise.
After a five year wait the actor is poised to return as the legendary secret agent in No Time To Die, his fifth consecutive Bond film, in November.
But he moved to rubbish recent claims that he is open to matching Sean Connery’s six official appearances as Bond while hosting American show Saturday Night Live over the weekend.
Not happening: Daniel Craig has confirmed his next James Bond film will be his last, dismissing claims that he ‘isn’t ready’ to walk away from the long-running franchise
Addressing the studio audience, Craig, 52, said: ‘This next James Bond film is going to be my last. But it’s going to be one of the best. Because we got Phoebe Waller-Bridge from Fleabag come to help with some of the dialogue.’
The versatile actress has won a multitude of awards for her role as Fleabag, a young, angry, confused and sexuality active woman who frequently breaks the fourth wall by addressing viewers directly and ultimately falls in love with a priest.
With tongue firmly in cheek, Craig added: ‘It’s not going to be that different. Every so often I will turn to the camera and I will say, “the name’s Bond, James Bond. Is it bad that I fancy the Pope?”
Fifth and final: He moved to rubbish claims that he is open to matching Sean Connery’s six official appearances as Bond while hosting Saturday Night Live over the weekend.
Craig’s confirmation comes amid claims he told his PR team not to market the film as his last 007 outing, despite previously claiming he was done with the action franchise.
A source told The Sun: ‘I don’t think Daniel is finished with James Bond, despite his previous claims. He was in this same position four years ago after Spectre came out, where he said publicly and loudly that he was done and then, as time passed, he just wasn’t.
‘There is something about this part that scratches an itch and he’s not prepared to see it go to another actor yet.
Uncertainty: Craig’s confirmation comes amid claims he told his PR team not to market the film as his last 007 outing, despite previously claiming he was done with the action franchise
‘It’s all going to come down to how No Time To Die is received by the public and if it can become the highest-grossing film in the series.
‘If it does, I think Daniel will be good for one more movie. He’s hedging that bet by asking for it not be marketed as a “finale” ‘.
Craig has played Bond on four previous occasions over a 15-year period, making him the longest serving actor in the film franchise’s 58-year history.
But he is still two short of Roger Moore’s record seven Bond films, released during a busy period for the franchise in the 1970s and ’80s.
Previously: Craig’s last appearance as Bond was in 2015 smash Spectre, directed by Sam Mendes
No Time To Die was due to be released on April 2, but Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have said that ‘after careful consideration and thorough evaluation of the global theatrical marketplace’ it must be delayed.
A new release date has been set for November 12 in the UK with worldwide release dates to follow, including the US launch on November 25.
News of the delay was announced via the film’s official Twitter account.
It comes amid growing concerns over the threat of deadly coronavirus which has infected more than 92,000 worldwide and killed 3,110 globally, according to the World Health Organisation.