A decade and a half ago, the James Bond franchise stood on the cusp of a revival. This rejuvenation wasn’t just limited to the scene in Casino Royale where 007 administers a defibrillation shock to himself inside his car, counteracting near-lethal poisoning. Rather, Daniel Craig’s inclusion marked a significant shift in the franchise’s essence – shedding the witty remarks and over-the-top gadgets reminiscent of the Pierce Brosnan era.
Instead, it embraced a surge of parkour-inspired action and embarked on a journey back to its origins, capturing Bond’s formative years and inaugural mission as penned by Ian Fleming in his inaugural Bond novel. The outcome, of course, proved resoundingly triumphant on all fronts.
Daniel Craig Wasn‘t Ready For This James Bond Tradition
In From Russia With Love, there is a sequence where Bond detects a sound, and emerges from the bathroom clad in nothing but a towel, brandishing a Walther PPK, only to discover an enchanting stranger lounging on his bed. This specific scene, present since Connery’s era, is the quintessential testing ground for potential Bonds.
It’s the pivotal moment that virtually every aspirant, aged between 20 and 40 and hailing from the realm of British male actors, engaged with producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
“It’s a tradition, apparently,” says Craig. “Why? I’ve never got it out of Barbara yet.” So how did it go? “Oh God. If she hasn’t destroyed that piece of film yet, I hope she will. It’s awful! I don’t want anybody to ever see it! My eyes were just swimming.”
Luckily for Daniel Craig, upon securing the role – and while it’s true that not all of them actively sought it, a range of talents including Clive Owen, Hugh Jackman, and Colin Salmon were undoubtedly considered – those pivotal five words didn’t enter the equation until a substantial way into the filming process.
Daniel Craig Shed Light On His First James Bond Scene
Daniel Craig catapulted into the limelight through his portrayal as a spy in the James Bond saga. However, this elevation to stardom was accompanied by a substantial toll, as he found himself grappling with arduous circumstances during the production of his inaugural film, Casino Royale in 2006.
As the film effectively breathed new life into the franchise, Craig was entrusted with a surplus of action sequences to invigorate its overarching spirit. In a conversation with Empire, he disclosed his personal involvement in performing parkour stunts, thus entailing a considerable measure of discomfort while executing the demanding action sequences.
“I learned from day one that it was gonna hurt and the whole film really did hurt.” He said, “Just pain. But if I was hurting, the stunt guys were hurting ten times more than I was. I just had to suck it up and get on with it.”
Sustaining injuries were merely a fraction of the extensive filming journey, serving as a testament to his unwavering commitment and dedication to the role.
Source: Empire
