Daniel Craig’s Blunt Take on the Next James Bond: “I Don’t Care”

Daniel Craig has moved on from the role of James Bond, and he’s not looking back.

During an interview with Variety to promote his upcoming film Queer, Craig was asked who he thought should step into the 007 role next. His response? A nonchalant, “I don’t care,” followed by laughter. His co-star Drew Starkey joined in on the moment with a chuckle and a sidelong glance, signaling that Bond talk was quickly off the table.

This isn’t the first time Craig has been dismissive about his iconic role as Agent 007. The actor played Bond in five films from 2006’s Casino Royale to 2021’s No Time to Die, which he made clear was his swan song. Reflecting on his time as Bond in a 2022 interview with the BBC, Craig shared, “I had an incredibly fortunate 17 years of my life making this. I literally want to spend the next 20 years of my life trying to unhook it all and try and put it into a place because it was incredible. I left it where I wanted it to be.”

From the very beginning, Craig was apprehensive about taking on the role. Reports from The Guardian indicate he feared the inflexible nature of the franchise and its reputation for being demanding. Craig also expressed concerns about typecasting and the franchise’s historically chauvinistic elements. Despite initial backlash, including criticism of his blond hair and height—both deviations from Ian Fleming’s original descriptions—Craig ultimately won over fans and critics alike. His performance brought a new depth to the character and modernized certain elements, including reducing the objectification of women.

Casting director Debbie McWilliams, who was part of Craig’s 2006 casting process, told Entertainment Weekly in 2021, “It was unbelievably negative, I have to say. The press response was awful, and I felt so sorry for him, but in a funny kind of a way, I think it almost spurred him on to do his damnedest to prove everybody wrong.” And prove them wrong he did. Craig’s portrayal of Bond was lauded for its grit and complexity, earning him respect and cementing his legacy.

In recent years, Craig has steered clear of roles that resemble the suave super-spy. His upcoming film Queer, set to release on Nov. 27, showcases his range in an adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ 1985 novella. Craig stars as Lee, an older man in 1940s Mexico City who becomes infatuated with a younger American Navy veteran, played by Starkey, while both characters wrestle with drug dependency.

For those who wish to relive Craig’s era as James Bond, all five of his movies are currently streaming on Prime Video.

What do you think about Daniel Craig’s indifference toward the future of James Bond? Was he right to leave it all behind? Share your thoughts in the comments below!