Bond producers still want Daniel Craig to return

It seems the top brass at James Bond HQ are still not ruling out the return of incumbent 007 actor Daniel Craig.

In an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today, Callum McDougall –executive producer on ‘Casino Royale,’ ‘Quantum of Solace,’ ‘Skyfall’ and ‘Spectre’ – was asked whether Craig would be back a fifth time, to which he could only reply, “I wish I knew.

“We love Daniel. We would love Daniel to return as Bond. Without any question he is absolutely Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli’s first choice. I know they’re hoping for him to come back.”

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McDougall says the lead in the 25th Bond movie is “absolutely” Daniel Craig’s, if the actor wants it.

This, of course, is the key question, as following Craig’s infamous “I’d rather slash my wrists” comments after completing work on ‘Spectre,’ it seemed likely that the actor was tired of Bond.

In some respects we can hardly blame Craig, as he has been in the role now for almost eleven years, his casting in ‘Casino Royale’ having been announced in October 2005 – initially a hugely controversial choice in the wake of Pierce Brosnan.

However, his run in the role has seen Bond reach new heights of critical and commercial success, 2012’s ‘Skyfall’ becoming the highest-grossing and best-reviewed film in the history of the long-running franchise.

Since the release of ‘Spectre’ in November 2015, there has been no shortage of wild rumours on whether or not Craig will be back. Reports that the actor was offered an astronomical $150 million to make two more Bond movies have since been dismissed as false.

Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Aidan Turner, Jeremy Northam and Tom Hughes have been rumoured to be in contention to take over as Bond if Craig does not return.

The 25th Bond movie is provisionally set to hit screens in 2018.

Picture Credit: MGM-UA/Sony