Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Daniel Craig reveals he came up with James Bond death straight after Casino Royale release

‘If we kill Bond, we can begin again,’ Craig explained

Tom Murray
Tuesday 13 December 2022 05:44 GMT
Comments
Daniel Craig dances in Belvedere Vodka advert

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Daniel Craig has admitted that he’d been plotting James Bond’s death almost since his inception as the character.

The actor shocked Bond fans in No Time to Die when the world’s most famous spy was dramatically killed off at the end of the movie – a first in the long-running franchise.

Speaking to The Times, Craig recalled a conversation he had with Bond’s megaproducer Barbara Brocolli while leaving the 2006 premiere of Casino Royale.

“I had genuinely thought I would do one Bond movie, then it would be over,” he said.

“But by then we knew we had a hit on our hands. I realised the enormity of it, so I said to Barbara, ‘How many more? Three? Four?’ She said, ‘Four!’ I said, ‘OK. Then can I kill him off?’ She said, ‘Yes.’”

15 years and four films later, Craig had his wish. “If we kill Bond, we can begin again,” Craig explained.

“I think Barbara thought that too. But, bless them, the studio, MGM, were, like, ‘What are you talking about? Are you out of your minds?’ There was reluctance. So we had to do it in secret, really.”

Daniel Craig in ‘No Time to Die’
Daniel Craig in ‘No Time to Die’ (PA Media)

In No Time to Die, Bond is blown up on an island after being infected with nanobots that would kill his loved ones. The ending was dreamt up by Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge who Craig asked to “sprinkle magic dust” on the script.

“Real tragedy is when you have absolutely no choice,” the actor said. “We had to find a way to make his death no choice. It was the happiest Bond had ever been because he’d found exactly what he was looking for. Like everyone on Earth, he was just looking for love.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Craig appeared to suggest that his Knives Out character Benoit Blanc’s homosexuality mirrored experiences in his own life.

“You are supposed to reflect life. And that [gay] relationship reflects my life,” he was quoted as saying. However, The Times’ piece has now been updated to read: “You are supposed to reflect life. And that [gay] relationship reflects people in my life.”

Craig’s representatives declined to comment.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in