Much like any tentpole blockbuster, there are a lot of moving parts beneath the sharp suits and eye-popping stuntwork of Sam Mendes’ Spectre. Is Christoph Waltz really playing Franz Oberhauser, or the gleefully evil Blofeld? Can the spy sequel possibly emulate the critical and financial success blazed out by Skyfall? And what does the future hold for Daniel Craig’s status with the license to kill.
Lately, it’s the latter lingering question that has been getting the most traction, with the actor himself seemingly indicating that he is on board for another installment, only to backpedal on his comments in a recent interview with Time Out London. Ever the one to give a frank assessment on matters, Craig shot down any suggestions that he would pick up the Walther PPK and jump straight back into the James Bond role, even claiming that if he were to do another one, it would “only be for the money.”
“I haven’t given it any thought,” Craig continued. “For at least a year or two, I just don’t want to think about it. I don’t know what the next step is. I’ve no idea. Not because I’m trying to be cagey. Who the fuck knows? At the moment, we’ve done it. I’m not in discussion with anybody about anything. If I did another Bond movie, it would only be for the money.”
What’s interesting is that the actor goes on to mention how Sony and MGM wanted to film the follow-up to Spectre – which would act as Craig’s final outing based on his current contract – as quickly as possible. This could come down to the fact that Sony is in risk of losing the rights to the James Bond franchise following Sam Mendes’ actioner, but such an aggressive approach could subsequently leave Daniel Craig distancing himself with the part.
“I was contracted to do another one,” he said. “That was all set up. But at the studio, there was a real keenness to get it done as soon as possible. In fact, there was a conversation at one point that went: ‘Let’s film two movies back to back.’ I just went: ‘You’re out of your fucking minds.’ In the nicest possible way. They’re just too big.”
Craig will reprise his role – for the final time? – when Sam Mendes’ Spectre slinks into theaters on November 7.