Daniel Craig Tried Dodging James Bond Role Twice (For a Valid Reason)

Summary:

• Daniel Craig first put on the Agent 007 suit in 2006 and only took it off 15 years later, passing the role to the yet unknown successor.
• When he was offered the part of James Bond, Craig tried backing off a few times as he was scared of losing control over his life and career.
• In the end, the actor took the deal because the other fear won — that of regretting losing this one-of-a-king opportunity years later.

The modern audience can’t picture the James Bond movies without Daniel Craig. The latest 007 star redefined the franchise and brought into the new era before bowing out and becoming the most amusing PI in the Knives Out! films, and we all appreciate his addition to the iconic superspy series.

But few people know that before accepting the James Bond gig, Craig repeatedly tried to back out from it.

Daniel Craig Didn’t Want to Be Agent 007

Across several states and through the screen, we can hear you thinking, “With all due respect, who in their right mind wouldn’t want to become the next James Bond?” The part of Agent 007 is one of the most sought-after among actors, and many performers see themselves putting on the superspy suit in their dreams every night.

But not the young Daniel Craig. He didn’t think the big bosses were genuinely considering him; and then he realized they were, he desperately wanted to back out. He even tried, over and over again, but they wanted him. The iconic vodka martini (shaken, not stirred) fought with the fear of losing control over his life and career.

Craig Tried to Opt Out of the Franchise Twice

When it finally became clear he was getting the offer, Daniel Craig had weak knees. He was afraid to say yes, but he also felt like this gig was one of a kind. You can’t simply refuse to play James Bond; not if you value your career, anyway.

“I remember saying to them early on, ‘I can’t do a Sean Connery impression. I can’t be Pierce.’ <...> It was genuinely like, ‘My life is going to get f*cked if I do this.’ [They insisted, and I was like,] ‘F*ck off. I don’t f*cking want this. How dare you? How dare you offer this to me?’ It’s just ludicrous. But it was all defense,” Craig told GQ.

In the end, of course, the actor took the deal — and became the James Bond of the new era. The iconic superspy franchise did wonders for Craig’s career and net worth, but that’s not surprising. The Agent 007 star made the right call: imagine growing old and reflecting on your life thinking, “Hell, I could have been James Bond!”

Source: GQ