Daniel Craig is embracing a new creative challenge with his role in the film Queer, a project he feels would have been out of reach for him during his tenure as James Bond. The actor, who is best known for portraying the iconic 007 agent in several films, including his final outing in No Time to Die in 2021, explained in a recent interview why he couldn’t have taken on Queer during his Bond years.
“I couldn’t have done this while doing Bond,” Craig shared with the Sunday Times, elaborating that doing so would have seemed reactionary, as if he were trying to showcase his range as an actor. He revealed that during his time as Bond, he felt immense pressure to take on more work, believing it was an incredible opportunity when roles were offered to him. However, he admitted that these roles often left him feeling empty.
Craig candidly described how exhausting it was to play Bond, stating that after completing a Bond film, it would take him six months to emotionally recover. He reflected on how, at times, work came before his life, which he found draining. “I always had the attitude that life must come first, and when work came first for a while, it strung me out,” he said.
In addition to his reflections on his Bond days, Craig recently participated in a BFI conversation with film critic Mark Kermode at the BFI Southbank in London, where he discussed his career and roles, including why he initially turned down playing Bond. The event was a rare opportunity for fans to hear more about Craig’s journey in the industry.
