Daniel Craig might’ve shot to fame when he took on the titular role of James Bond, but the actor says the ultra popular casting came with some unexpected downsides.
In a new interview at the BFI in London, Craig, 56, got candid about the “emotionally difficult” challenges he faced while starring as the suave British secret agent for 15 years from 2006 to 2021.
While he told film critic Mark Kermode that he “loved every second” of playing Bond, he admitted, “Some of it was tough and weird and strange and emotionally kind of difficult for everybody, including my family.”
“The fame is weird,” Craig added, according to Variety.
The actor shares daughter Grace with his wife and fellow actor, Rachel Weisz. The couple both also have children from previous relationships.
Craig played James Bond in five films: “Casino Royale” (2006), “Quantum Of Solace” (2008), “Skyfall” (2012), “Spectre” (2015) and “No Time To Die” (2021).
In addition to Craig, actors Sean Connery, David Niven, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan have also starred as James Bond since the film franchise kicked off in 1962.
Craig, who starred in movies like “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” (2001), “Layer Cake” (2004) and Steven Spielberg‘s Oscar-nominated “Munich” (2005) before taking on 007, shared that in his past roles he could still go places without causing much of a stir.
“I was working and had a little bit of fame and it bought me, you know, a drink at the bar. But I could still go anywhere,” he explained.
The “Queer” star recalled that the uncertainty of becoming renowned “couldn’t be the reason not to” take the part that’s been so pivotal in his career.
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Back in October 2015, Craig, who sustained many injuries while playing James Bond, opened up about dealing with exhaustion in the role. He explained why at one point he felt like he “couldn’t do that anymore.”
“I’ve always tried to be honest about my feelings,” the “Knives Out” actor told Time Out London, per USA Today. “When I started doing Bond (in 2006’s ‘Casino Royale’), I threw myself into it and was as physical as I possibly could be. I felt like that was really important ― that’s who I wanted my Bond to be.”
He added, “I wanted people to believe it was me doing those stunts. However, after ‘Spectre,’ I genuinely felt like I couldn’t do that anymore. I felt like, ‘What was the point?’ Also, it’s at least a year out of my life away from home. And that is really tough on everybody.”