In the cinematic world of espionage and martinis, speculation about the next James Bond is as stirring as the debates over how Bond prefers his drinks.
Daniel Craig, whose tenure as the suave spy has delighted fans for nearly two decades, has officially hung up his holster with No Time To Die marking his final appearance as the iconic British agent.
Despite the whirlwind of rumors surrounding potential successors—names like Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, and Aaron-Taylor Johnson have all been tossed into the ring—Craig himself remains delightfully detached.
When prodded by Variety during the promotion of his latest film Queer alongside Drew Starkey, Craig’s response to who he’d like to see as the next Bond was a cheeky: "I don't care."
His lighthearted dismissal, accompanied by a chuckle, shows a deeper sentiment about moving on from a role that defined two decades of his career.
Craig reflected on his Bond journey in a 2022 interview with the BBC, expressing gratitude and relief at leaving the role exactly where he wanted it.
"I had an incredibly fortunate 17 years of my life making this," Craig said. "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."
The decision on who will next carry the Bond torch is shrouded in mystery, with casting hints suggesting a preference for someone neither too young nor too seasoned.
Debbie McWilliams, a casting director linked to the Bond series, indicated to Radio Times in 2023 that younger actors lacked the necessary gravitas for the role.
"We did look at a lot of younger actors, and I just don't think they had the gravitas," she explained. "They didn't have the experience, they didn't have the mental capacity to take it on, because it's not just the part they're taking on, it's a massive responsibility."
Producer Barbara Broccoli echoed similar sentiments in a discussion with Variety, noting the decade-long commitment required of any new Bond.
"When we cast Bond, it's a 10-, 12-year commitment," she explained. "So he's probably thinking, 'Do I really want that thing?' Not everybody wants to do that. It was hard enough getting [Daniel Craig to do it]."