Even beforeSpectrecame out, there has been the persistent rumor thatDaniel Craigis done with James Bond. Now that production onJames Bond 25is heating up, a new rumor claims that the actor is 100% done with the franchise for good, and that he’s officially turned in his two week notice to studio bosses at MGM and Sony. This comes after the studio reportedly madeCraigan offer that was very hard to turn down.
If we’re to believe theDaily Mail, producers were eager to getDaniel Craigback in that iconic tuxedo to the tune of 68 million pounds. Which almost equates to $100 million in the states. This news arrives just days after bookmakers called off all 007 bets, withThorstarTom Hiddlestonreportedly securing the role. Thus far,Craigis the highest paid actor to have ever played the role, netting 38 million pounds for the first four movies, which includes 2006’sCasino Royale, 2008’sQuantum of Solace, 2012’sSkyfalland last year’sSpectre.
The latest offer would netCraigmore money than he’s earned on all four films in the past. He was first announced as007way back in 2005, and since that time, has helped pull in nearly $3 billion dollars at the global box office. HisBond movieseven helped ease MGM out of bankruptcy. The recently offered 68 million pounds would have included two more movies, making it a total of six. The sum is said to have included endorsements, profit shares, and a co-producer credit. Says one Hollywood insider who is close to the studios.
“Daniel is done, pure and simple. He told top brass at MGM afterSpectre. They threw huge amounts of money at him, but it just wasn’t what he wanted. He had told people after shooting that this would be his final outing, but the film company still felt he could come around after Spectre if he was offered a money deal.'
It is further insinuated that one executive got feed up withDaniel Craig’s bad mouthing of the franchise, and told him to leave. This came afterCraigrepeatedly bashed the long-standing series in the press, even telling one journalist that he’d rather ‘slash’ his wrists than return one more time. It has long been known thatDaniel Craigis signed for at least one more movie. And the actor at one point said he would agree to his return as 007 ‘for the money’.
Daniel Craigsustained a serious knee injury while filming a fight scene forSpectre. This latest report goes onto claim that he is still suffering from that injury, and it has made life as an actor difficult. Another source says he felt exhausted afterSpectre, and that it clearly marked the end of the journey for the actor. Apparently, Sony is currently delaying any movement onJames Bond 25due toDaniel Craig’s recent commitment to the 20 episode U.S. TV adaptation of Jonathan Franzen’s novel Purity. Nothing official has been announced in regards toJames Bond 25,Daniel Craig’s return, orTom Hiddleston’s possible take over of the role. We’ll keep you posted as more news breaks.
