Although different people will have different picks, when it comes to picking their favorite James Bond, at least we can agree that all the 007 actors over the years have been ridiculously handsome. But initially, in Daniel Craig’s case, he wasn’t seen as attractive enough for the part of James Bond.
While this statement might appear ridiculous at first glance, as Craig isn’t only handsome but also the best Bond since Sean Connery, Martin Campbell had some genuine reason behind his hesitancy. Even though the director had no problem with the actor and was always his first choice, for a moment, he was worried because Craig didn’t fit the mold for a traditional-looking Bond.
Daniel Craig’s Casting Was a Departure From the Traditional James Bond
While Pierce Brosnan, Sean Connery, and other 007 actors have been exceedingly handsome in the traditional sense, Daniel Craig was more rugged and tougher in comparison. Martin Campbell, who previously directed GoldenEye, which launched Brosnan as Bond- arguably the most handsome of them all, was initially hesitant about going with a more rugged actor for Bond. However, thanks to Craig’s acting chops, he became Campbell’s foremost choice for Casino Royale.
He told Express:
My only reticence with Daniel… he was really a superb actor, there’s no doubt about that… it was the fact that with people like Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Pierce Brosnan was that they were all traditional looking Bonds. All handsome guys, all sexy, all very attractive to women, and so forth. Daniel was Express tougher and ruggeder, but he wasn’t a traditional handsome guy. So I just thought about that for a minute and apart from that, absolutely it was always him.
Unfortunately, this decision would garner a lot of backlash at the time, especially considering that the last Bond, Brosnan, was the most attractive 007 actor in the traditional sense.
But even though the backlash initially bothered the Knives Out star, as it wasn’t something he could control, he kept his focus on making a good film, and to say that he delivered would be an understatement.
Henry Cavill Was Initially Dropped From Casino Royale for Looking Young
It’s quite known that Henry Cavill was one of the top runners for Casino Royale after Daniel Craig, but the reason he was dropped then is the complete opposite of why he isn’t in the race now. While for the next 007, Bond producers are opting to go for a young actor, at the time of Casino Royale, Cavill was rejected from the part for looking a little young.
Campbell recalled:
He looked great in the audition. His acting was tremendous… And look, if Daniel didn’t exist, Henry would have made an excellent Bond. He looked terrific, he was in great physical shape…very handsome, very chiseled. He just looked a little young at that time back then.
While it’s safe to say the Man of Steel star would’ve made a great Bond, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson appearing to be the potential successor to Craig, it’s safe to say he too would excel as 007.
Casino Royale is available to rent on Apple TV.
