Craig to return for Bond 25: multiple reports (1 Viewer)

[JimmyO]

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/3979313/daniel-craig-james-bond-return-adele/

http://pagesix.com/2017/07/09/daniel-craig-and-adele-reuniting-for-next-james-bond-film/

Looks like time and what is likely a hefty payday has convinced Daniel Craig to return to the role, in spite of indicating he would rather "slash his wrists".

 

[Tino]

"Wow what a surprise" said no one.

 

[Edwin-S]

Actors like Craig should show more appreciation for getting a role like playing Bond. It is the money from playing roles like that that allows him the freedom to play roles like the hillbilly one that he is playing in an upcoming film that will, most likely, lose money when it opens.

There are thousands of actors that would give their left nut to star in a Bond film, and all he can do is complain about wanting to slash his wrists? I lose a lot of respect for actors who whine about how much they dislike a role and then turn around and continue to play it because of the money.

If an actor hates a role that much then don't take it, no matter how much is offered. If they take the money, then they should learn to keep their mouths shut, because it makes them look like asses otherwise.

 

[JimmyO]

I looked up what he made for Spectre. Apparently, $24 million for playing the part, $6 million for endorsement deals, and another $30 million of profit share (at the time that story was written, that was only a projected number - not sure if he made that in the end).

It does make me wonder how he could have given interviews with less than charitable language given his good fortune. Stories published after that one indicated that there were trying to work out a $150 million dollar deal to get him to agree to two more films.

The details of his compensation will surface once they 'officially' announce, I am sure, but it's pretty much guaranteed to be shocking. I was quite surprised to hear that he could have made as much as $60 million for doing Spectre.

One bit of trivia from the story I found fascinating: "According to The Sun, the actor's deal for his salary and profit share is worth more than the combined earnings of all the men to take on the role."

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/daniel-craig-highest-paid-james-6594199

 

[Tino]

Actors like Craig should show more appreciation for getting a role like playing Bond. It is the money from playing roles like that that allows him the freedom to play roles like the hillbilly one that he is playing in an upcoming film that will, most likely, lose money when it opens.

There are thousands of actors that would give their left nut to star in a Bond film, and all he can do is complain about wanting to slash his wrists? I lose a lot of respect for actors who whine about how much they dislike a role and then turn around and continue to play it because of the money.

If an actor hates a role that much then don't take it, no matter how much is offered. If they take the money, then they should learn to keep their mouths shut, because it makes them look like asses otherwise.

The name of that upcoming film is Logan Lucky directed by Steven Soderbergh and it's getting great buzz. I think It has such a small budget I doubt it will lose money.

And I believe the "slash my wrists" comment was blown out of proportion. I never doubted for a minute he would be back. But I agree he should be more thankful and appreciative of these opportunities.

 

[Peter Apruzzese]

Damn, was hoping for a change so I could enjoy a Bond movie again.

 

[Edwin-S]

The name of that upcoming film is Logan Lucky directed by Steven Soderbergh and it's getting great buzz. I think It has such a small budget I doubt it will lose money.

And I believe the "slash my wrists" comment was blown out of proportion. I never doubted for a minute he would be back. But I agree he should be more thankful and appreciative of these opportunities.

I thought it was a Soderbergh film, but I was too lazy to confirm it. Buzz doesn't necessarily translate into dollars. Guess Soderbergh doesn't have to worry about bloated budgets when one of his main actors (Craig) has something like Bond to fall back on for a massive paycheck, which just proves my point on how Craig can afford to do pet projects because of something he purports to dislike playing.

I watched the trailer for Logan Lucky. Didn't do much for me. Doesn't look like something I need to go to a theatre to see. Might watch it on BD as a rental.

Edit: I looked up Soderbergh's filmography. I've seen four of his flicks.

Waking Life
Solaris
The Limey
Pleasantville

The Limey was the best out of those, followed by Pleasantville.

 

[Lou Sytsma]

Assuming this is his last Bond appearance, hopefully, they have a story that lets Craig leave the franchise on a high note.

 

[Mark Booth]

Craig will only be the third oldest actor to play Bond in an official Bond film. Connery did so at 53 (Never Say Never Again) and Moore did it at 57 (A View to a Kill).

Mark

 

[Tino]

I thought it was a Soderbergh film, but I was too lazy to confirm it. Buzz doesn't necessarily translate into dollars. Guess Soderbergh doesn't have to worry about bloated budgets when one of his main actors (Craig) has something like Bond to fall back on for a massive paycheck, which just proves my point on how Craig can afford to do pet projects because of something he purports to dislike playing.

I watched the trailer for Logan Lucky. Didn't do much for me. Doesn't look like something I need to go to a theatre to see. Might watch it on BD as a rental.

Edit: I looked up Soderbergh's filmography. I've seen four of his flicks.

Waking Life
Solaris
The Limey
Pleasantville

The Limey was the best out of those, followed by Pleasantville.

Soderbergh has only directed two of those films. Solaris and The Limey.

Waking Life was directed by Richard Linklater

Pleasantville was directed by Gary Ross (Soderbergh was a producer).

 

[Alf S]

I guess I need to get around to watching the series Craig is in to see what all the hubub is about. My last Bond outing was in the 80's I think.

 

[Tommy R]

Everyone has always taken his "slash my wrists" comments all wrong and out of context. For one thing, he said this in July of 2015, when they were completing production on Spectre. He was dead tired and was in desperate need of rest, and when asked about doing another Bond film during this period he gave his "slash my wrists" answer, clearly indicating that he just doesn't want to think about it right now, and his comment about only coming back for the money was probably his way of trying to brush off the question. Then the interview was sat on until the release of the film, and the media puts it out as if he's definitively saying he's done with Bond and washing his hands of it. The sentiment of Craig's comments is only true in that he probably is thinking about not doing these films indefinitely as the role is physically intense and he's not getting any younger. Then Craig tries to set things straight and explain the time and place of his comment but no one cares to listen. Sure, for all I know his back-tracking may be PR control, but I really don't think so. It just rings true. Even Brosnan complained a lot of how hard these productions were on you, but we all know how much he wanted to stay as Bond.

As for Craig officially back for Bond 25 I couldn't be happier. I'm thinking they will probably advertise it as Craig's final Bond, as he'll be turning 50 during filming. I'll be interested in who they pick for director. Sam Mendes left big shoes to fill.

 

[Tino]

Edwin

You sure you saw only two of his films?
No Traffic. Erin Brockovich. The Ocean Films? Sex Lies And Videotape.

He has an impressive resume as director.

Here's a director filmography

https://letterboxd.com/director/steven-soderbergh/

 

[Tony Bensley]

Craig will only be the third oldest actor to play Bond in an official Bond film. Connery did so at 53 (Never Say Never Again) and Moore did it at 57 (A View to a Kill).

Mark

To be fair, Sean Connery's last turn isn't universally considered an official part of the Bond canon.

CHEERS!

 

[Mark Booth]

To be fair, Sean Connery's last turn isn't universally considered an official part of the Bond canon.

CHEERS!

Oops! You are right, of course. Then Connery's last official Bond film was Diamonds are Forever and he would have been a mere 41. So only Roger Moore has played bond while in his 50s.

I really like Daniel Craig as Bond but even I'm thinking he's getting too old. And that's coming from a 60-year-old.

Mark

 

[Mikael Soderholm]

Soderbergh has only directed two of those films. Solaris and The Limey.

Waking Life was directed by Richard Linklater

Pleasantville was directed by Gary Ross (Soderbergh was a producer).

He has, however, directed
Behind the Candelabra
Side Effects
Contagion
Traffic
all of which are well worth seeing.
Also the Ocean's series, which is sort of entertaining.

He is no hack.

 

[Tino]

He has, however, directed
Behind the Candelabra
Side Effects
Contagion
Traffic
all of which are well worth seeing.
Also the Ocean's series, which is sort of entertaining.

He is no hack.

Which Is exactly the point i was making and why I posted a link to the films he directed.

 

[Sam Favate]

I like Daniel Craig as James Bond, but I haven't cared for most of the Bond films he's made. Only Casino Royale lived up to the standard, IMO. That said, I don't care if Craig is returning or not -- I just want a James Bond film that feels like a James Bond film, and not yet another personal vendetta for the character. We haven't see Bond acting solely on orders from Mi6 in 30 years. Every film since Licence To Kill (1989) has been personal for the character and very much apart from the first 15 films in the series. I want a return to the exotic locales, the good humor and light-hearted Bond. What we have gotten for 28 years now are generic revenge thrillers and Jason Bourne imitations (which is not to say some of those films haven't been good; some have).

 

[JimmyO]

I surely agree with everything you've said Sam. It would be nice to actually let the spy be a spy, and act in accordance to the job given. While I wouldn't want the days of crazy insane gadgets back, that *just* happen to fit exactly the precarious situation Bond finds himself in, I would like to see more exotic gadgetry make a bit of a comeback.

The real world commentary on shrinking budgets affecting his agency, all that nonsense, let's dispense with that. Dark, brooding Bond needs to retire. I also have not been a fan of how Bond went from green and unproven to old and unqualified in a short period of time. The character doesn't need neutering.

When I think of the success that the John Wick films are having, I believe it owes a lot of that to the immersion into the mysterious world that it portrays. More deep immersion into 'spy culture' is something that I think is played too short on Bond films.

An idea I have had for Bond for a while, which I know would never happen would be an actual in-film passing of the torch. Bond develops a mentor type relationship with his protege. They end up in an assignment together that costs Bond his life - he goes out on a big high note.

For reasons that make sense in the film, his protege takes on Bond's 00 status and even adopts his name, perhaps. There could be a very good reason for this, i.e. there's an espionage related reason why MI6 needs to keep the impression going that Bond is still alive.

Silly idea, I know. But I've always enjoyed imagining how that would play out on screen, and set up future films.

 

[Mikael Soderholm]

Which Is exactly the point i was making and why I posted a link to the films he directed.

Yeah, I probably should have quoted the post you quoted, and not you. We are in agreement about Soderbergh, but I realize I was unclear, sorry.