Skyfall director: I thought Daniel Craig was wrong for James Bond

Sam Mendes, the director of new 007 adventure 'Skyfall', said that originally he thought it was a mistake for Daniel Craig to play James Bond.

Speaking at a press event for the film in Mexico, he said: "I was one of the people who didn't think he was good casting for Bond [when the actor was hired for 'Casino Royale']".

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He revealed at the time that "I would have advised him NOT to do it."

Craig's casting as the British secret agent was initially accompanied by a wave of negative publicity and skepticism. But the star won over the critics with performances in 'Casino Royale' and 'Quantum of Solace'.

Luckily, Mendes, who directed Craig in 'Road to Perdition', was also impressed and credited him with "re-energising" the franchise.

At the event, Mendes also promised that 'Skyfall' would "play on the history of 'Bond'" this time around. The film is being released in the same year that the franchise celebrates its 50th anniversary, and he said we should expect nods to classic 007 adventures. This includes more gadgets this time around, and the return of classic 'Bond' car the Aston Martin DB5.

Mendes said that the financial difficulties experienced by studio MGM, which caused the film to be delayed, actually helped production of 'Skyfall' because it gave the screenwriters much more time to work on the script. Previous 'Bond' film 'Quantum of Solace' was hampered by script issues caused by 2008 writers' strike.

He said: "It was unfortunate, but it led to a much more fully-realised script."

'Bond'-girl Naomie Harris, who plays a field agent called Eve, described her character as "an equal to Bond in many ways", and also revealed that she would NOT be stripping off in the film. She said she did get to see Daniel Craig "partially undressed" though.

Speaking about the future of the franchise, Craig said he would keep on playing 007 "for as long as the suit fits".

Finally, producer Michael G. Wilson confirmed that Bond would sup Heineken in the film, but added that he would drink Vodka Martinis as well.

'Skyfall' is released in the UK on 26 October 2012.