Every time a new James Bond movie wraps up, speculation immediately begins to swirl about whether a new James Bond actor will be showing up for the next one. That was the case long before Daniel Craig became the sixth Bond, but things have been heating up to a fever pitch after Spectre marked Craig’s fourth appearance as the secret agent.
A new James Bond would certainly reinvigorate the series, but with Spectre being the second highest grossing film in franchise history, does it really need to change course right now? These are big money decisions, which is why so many people believed the rumors that Craig was offered $150 million for two more appearances as Bond. But Daniel himself dismissed those numbers in an appearance at The New Yorker Fest in Manhattan over the weekend.
When asked where negotiations on another Bond film stood, he replied, “It doesn’t … there’s no conversation going on, and genuinely because everybody’s just a bit tired.”
It may be a bit early to know what’s going to happen next. Spectre came out in October of 2015, just a year ago. With the gap between Bond films varying between two and four years, the people behind it may be taking a deep breath before moving on with new plans. Will they involve Craig? Who knows, but he certainly seems interested in continuing to play Bond.
“I love this job, I get a massive kick out of it,” he said. “And if I can keep getting a kick out of it, I will.”
Speaking like someone who wants to sound interested enough to negotiate with, but not so desperate as to take any offer, he later said, “Were I to stop doing it, I’d miss it terribly.”
Very careful, diplomatic answers. But it’s clear that if the money’s right and the interest is there, Daniel Craig is more than happy to put on a tux and galavant around the world as Ian Fleming’s dashing super spy. If things fall through, though, I doubt he’s too worried. He seems to have all sorts of fun jobs lined up these days, as his recent cameo as a Stormtrooper in Star Wars: The Force Awakens proves.
When asked about why he’d take such a “bit part” at this point in his career, he seemed shocked that anyone would even ask.
“What a stupid f**king question!” he exclaimed. “It’s Star Wars, for f**k’s sake!”
Reading between the lines, he basically said the same thing about continuing as James Bond, too.
