- Title: Daniel Craig still first choice for Bond, says producer
- Date: 30th September 2016
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (FILE - OCTOBER 26, 2015) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** "SPECTRE" PREMIERE AND RED CARPET POSTER OF JAMES BOND ACTOR DANIEL CRAIG, AND ACTRESS LEA SEYDOUX VARIOUS OF CRAIG POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS VARIOUS OF CRAIG TALKING TO MEDIA SEYDOUX POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS, CRAIG JOINS HER, CRAIG GREETING BELLUCI, SEYDOUX GREETING BELLUCI, ALL THREE POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS ISTANBUL, TURKEY (FILE - APRIL 29, 2012) (REUTERS) "SKYFALL" CREW POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS DIRECTOR SAM MENDES, ACTRESS NAOMIE HARRIS, ACTOR DANIEL CRAIG, ACTRESS BERENCE MARLOHE AND ACTOR OLA RAPACE POSING FOR MEDIA VARIOUS OF CAST POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHS
- Embargoed: 15th October 2016 16:24
- Keywords: James Bond Bond 007 Daniel Craig film movie franchise
- Location: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / ISTANBUL, TURKEY
- City: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM / ISTANBUL, TURKEY
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Film
- Reuters ID: LVA00151REDSD
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: The team behind the James Bond films wants Daniel Craig to return as 007, the spy series' executive producer said on Friday (September 30), even after the British actor said he would rather slash his wrists than appear again.
The 48-year-old star was "absolutely the first choice...We would love Daniel to return as Bond," Callum McDougall told BBC radio.
Craig said last year he was "over" the role after filming wrapped up on the last instalment "Spectre", which went on to gross $880 million worldwide.
When asked if he could imagine doing another Bond movie, Craig told London's Time Out magazine: "Now? I'd rather break this glass and slash my wrists."
His words triggered a flurry of speculation over who might appear next, with Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston and Aidan Turner among the top contenders.
Craig was widely praised for bringing a fresh grittiness to the role of the suave secret agent over four films, starting with "Casino Royale" in 2006.
A report by RadarOnline earlier this month said Craig had already been offered $150 million by studio Sony to return for two more films.
McDougall told the BBC that Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson both shared his views.
"I know they are hoping for him to come back," he said. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None