Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

No Time to Die: Daniel Craig almost quit Bond over health concerns

Actor explains what ultimately prompted his decision to return as 007

Jacob Stolworthy
Wednesday 22 January 2020 11:06 GMT
Comments
No Time To Die - Trailer

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 opened up about why he almost quit as James Bond before deciding to return for one final film.

The actor, who said he’d rather “slash his wrists” than return as the British spy after filming 2015’s Spectre, will appear in No Time to Die, which almost shut down production after Danny Boyle quit as director.

It was unknown for some time whether Craig would return – and the actor has revealed this is because of an injury he suffered on Spectre.

“I finished that movie with a broken leg,” he told Entertainment Weekly.

“I had to question myself – was I physically capable of doing [another Bond film] or did I want to do another one? Because that phone call to your wife saying ‘I’ve broken my leg’ is not pleasant.”

It was producer Barbara Broccoli that convinced Craig to play 007 once more.

“He felt at the end of the last movie he’d kind of done it,” she added.

“I said to him, ‘I don’t think you have, I think there’s still more of the story of your Bond to tell.’ Fortunately, he came around to agree with that.”

Craig confirmed in the interview that this was his final Bond film.

“This is going to be my last James Bond adventure,” he said. ”This is it – it’s over.”

No Time to Die – which is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga – will be released on 1 April. Billie Eilish will sing the theme song.

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