Daniel Craig is one of the most renowned and popular actors to ever step foot in front of a camera, as no other celebrity can match his versatility and acting range. While he could be only known as James Bond for the rest of his life as he is one of the most popular actors to ever play the role in smash-hit films such as Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time To Die, he has managed to work in other renowned projects like Knives Out and Glass Onion.
Craig’s fans majorly love his portrayal of Special Agent 007, and how well he embodied the role made him synonymous with the character. But, the character’s popularity faced a major blow as Matt Damon insulted the character, calling him sexist. However, Daniel Craig found an interesting loophole to save his iconic character from shame and public backlash.
Daniel Craig Reasons Why James Bond is Sexist
When people saw Daniel Craig for the first time in the role of James Bond in 2005 one would not believe that he was meant to play the iconic character, fast forward to 2023 he has embodied the character of Special Agent James Bond. The actor is tall, has dark hair, and handsome in the most elegant way radiating a charm that it would be impossible to tell him ‘no’.
However, when Matt Damon insulted the character, Daniel Craig came up with a convincing loophole that would make people believe that Special Agent 007 is not sexist and insults women. During an exclusive interview with Empire, he shared that James Bond feels distrustful of the women around him, and it is that approach he keeps in mind while portraying the character.
“I approached the film with the idea that Bond’s attitude to women is really just one of distrust. That’s why it’s so fantastic that Judi is still playing M, because that female figure in the movie is so very important; that’s what, hopefully, will let us get away with him being as sexist as he is. I mean, I get it all the time: ‘Is he still gonna be a sexist pig?’ Well, yeah, he is still a bit of a sexist pig.”
The actor praises Judi Dench who plays the role of M in the franchise, calling her character the one person who saves Bond from grave harm. And he adds that people would understand why Bond is like this after watching Casino Royale.
“But the fact is that the balance there is always through Judi. Because she’s the one person that ever really keeps him alive. She’s the one that protects him and looks out for his back. So I suppose that sort of gives us carte blanche to let him be a pig to women. Not that he needs to be a pig to women, but what I’m saying is that, hopefully, in Casino Royale, we get this situation where we’ll understand why he is the way he is.”
The actor states that deliberately made the role look complicated because Eva Green also joined the cast and he wanted to do something unique and unusual like her.
Matt Damon Criticises James Bond’s Values and Principles
During an exclusive interview with GQ, Matt Damon decided to talk about how his Jason Bourne is different and better than the beloved James Bond. The actor decided to take things emotionally and state how both the characters have different sets of moral values. And he mentioned how he would not play the role, even if he were offered to play the iconic character.
“I like Bourne better than Bond. Bourne has today’s values. Bond has the values of the 1960s. Daniel’s Bond has upgraded him and brought him more into the present, but, classically, that character is a misogynist who likes swilling martinis and killing people and not giving a sh*t.”
The Air actor continued that Jason Bourne is haunted by his actions, and how he feels pain and empathy for other people, and he firmly believes that his Jason Bourne would definitely take down James Bond in a fight.
“Whereas Jason Bourne is a serial monogamist – and he’s tortured by the things he’s done and feels empathy and compassion for other people. And Bourne would obviously win in a fight.”
Well, Daniel Craig has given a convincing reply to Damon’s criticism, but fans of both franchises would love to know who would really win in a fight if they ever cross paths.
Casino Royale can be streamed on DIRECTV.
Source: Empire
