Daniel Craig’s Rugged Looks Was a Big Concern Before He Replaced Pierce Brosnan as the James Bond

After Die Another Day failed to hit the set expectations, becoming one of the lowest-rated entries in the franchise, GoldenEye director Martin Campbell was brought back into the mix to reinvent 007.

This resulted in Campbell bringing in Daniel Craig as the next 007, who’d cement himself as the best Bond since Sean Connery’s iconic run as the British Spy.

However, not everything regarding Craig’s casting was perfect from the get-go, as despite Campbell’s adoration for the actor’s brilliance, Craig’s look was a matter of concern for the makers.
Martin Campbell
Martin Campbell
Daniel Craig’s Rugged Look Initially Held Him Back From Securing 007

Unlike Pierce Brosnan, Sean Connery, and other 007 Stars, who were more good-looking in the traditional sense, Daniel Craig was tougher and ruggeder, which didn’t initially sit well with fans.

Even though Martin Campbell would be eventually won over by The Trench Star’s charm, he recently admitted that Craig’s lack of a traditional Bond look was a matter of concern for him and the other makers.

This factor would be reflected among fans at the time, who weren’t completely on board with Craig’s initial casting as 007, but things would drastically shift after Casino Royale hit the screens. Campbell 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.”

To say that Campbell’s decision to shift away from the formulaic approach of casting 007 actors worked out in the end would be an understatement.

Daniel Craig as James Bond in a still from Casino Royale (2006)
Daniel Craig | Casino Royale (2006)

Daniel Craig Reflects on Dealing With the Initial Backlash

While Daniel Craig had his hesitancies taking the iconic gig, when he eventually agreed to star in Martin Campbell’s Casino Royale, the initial reception from Bond purists was less than pleasing.

But the Knives Out Star didn’t let the unwanted scrutiny get under his skin despite being bothered by it.

Looking back at the initial hate with 5 successful Bond flicks under his belt, Craig explained to Kevin Polowy,

“Of course, I was bothered by it. But there was nothing I could do.

It’s like [the saying goes], ‘Control the things that you can control.’

All I could do was make a good movie, or attempt to make a good movie and say, ‘There you go.’ And if they didn’t like it, then I don’t know, that’s all I had to give.”

Daniel Craig as James Bond
Daniel Craig as James Bond
With the benefit of hindsight, it’s easy to see why Campbell was so fixated on bringing Craig in despite the lack of a traditional Bond look, who reinvented the iconic spy for the new generation.

Related Posts

Katt Wɪllɪams Opens Up About ALL Vɪctɪms Dɪddy Gr00med?! What parent let’s theɪr 14 yr old s0n stay wɪth a grown m@n for any amount of tɪme? | HO

Katt Wɪllɪams Opens Up About ALL Vɪctɪms Dɪddy Gr00med?! What parent let’s theɪr 14 yr old s0n stay wɪth a grown m@n for any amount of tɪme?Even…

Katy Perry’s Stylish Outing at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City

Katy Perry’s fashionable outing at Bergdorf Goodman in New York City was a testament to her impeccable sense of style and flair for making a statement wherever…

Exclusive Look: Katy Perry’s Behind-the-Scenes Moments from American Idol 2024

Fans of Katy Perry got an exclusive glimpse into the behind-the-scenes moments of her journey on American Idol in 2024. Through captivating footage and candid snapshots, viewers…

Katy Perry’s Electrifying Performance at Melbourne Cricket Ground After Women’s T20 World Cup Final

Following the electrifying conclusion of the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup Final between India and Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 8, 2020,…

Sylvester Stallone spoke out after news of his death caused a ‘storm’ on the internet

 This is not the first time the veteran actor read news that he had died online. Facebook users also previously spread fraudulent news in September 2016, claiming Stallone…

North West HUMILIATES Kim K! North Is Hollywood’s Biggest & Spoiled BRAT! Kim Needs HELP? Wait until North finds out about her mother and grandmother’s rise to the top! She is going to turn their legacy upside down!| HO

North West HUMILIATES Kim K! North Is Hollywood’s Biggest & Spoiled BRAT! Kim Needs HELP? Wait until North finds out about her mother and grandmother’s rise to…