Daniel Craig ‘Quits As James Bond', Reports Claim

Daniel Craig has quit playing James Bond, according to reports.

The Daily Mail is quoting sources close to the star saying that he’s turned down an offer of £68 million to play 007 in two more movies.

It’s said the deal would have included profit shares, endorsement deals and a co-producer credit.

- Susan Sarandon wants to direct ‘female-friendly’ porn
- Kristen Stewart movie booed at Cannes
- New Ghostbusters trailer

The source told the paper: “Daniel is done – pure and simple – he told top brass at MGM after Spectre. They threw huge amounts of money at him, but it just wasn’t what he wanted.

“He had told people after shooting that this would be his final outing, but the film company still felt he could come around after Spectre if he was offered a money deal.”

Indeed, Craig had heavily intimated that he did not plan to return to the franchise, after making his now infamous ‘I’d rather slash my wrists’ comment during an interview with Time Out, though those comments were made just days after he’d completed the gruelling, multi-location filming of 'Spectre’.

Of that quote, he said at the launch of 'Spectre’ last year: “I have the right to change my mind any time I want.

“And sometimes I say things, like I did when I was asked two days after I just finished shooting for eight months, 'Would I do another one?’ That’s what was on my mind, and I said what was on my mind.

“It’s the way I’ve always spoken. But as I said, I reserve the right to change my mind.”

- 007′s Most Un-PC Moments
- 26 Actors Who Could Replace Daniel Craig
- Bond Girls: Then and Now

Speculation over whether he would continue as Bond ramped up when news emerged last year that he’s signed up for a new 20-episode US TV series called 'Purity’, based on Jonathan Franzen’s novel.

He’s already become the best-paid Bond of all time, netting £38 million for the four movies that he’s appeared in, 'Casino Royale’, 'The Quantum of Solace’, 'Skyfall’ and 'Spectre’.

In all, his Bond movies have made over £2 billion in box office takings for MGM and production company Eon.

Some bookies this week said that after a flurry of bets on Tom Hiddleston to take over in the role, they’ve now suspended betting.

Image credits: Eon/AP