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2006 witnessed Martin Campbell breathing new life into the James Bond formula with the release ofCasino Royale, which introduced a more grittier and realistic version of 007, played by Daniel Craig. While it was Sean Connery, who laid down the foundation for everyBondflick that succeeded him, Craig’s version of the British Spy couldn’t have been more different than Sir Connery.
Unlike Sean Connery, whose effortless charisma and confidence ensured that Bond was the coolest person onscreen, Martin Campbell’sCasino Royalewitnesses a more humanized 007. And reflecting on his version of the Bond, Craig revealed the inspiration behind his 007, which involved Roger Moore.
Also read:“I can’t tell you but something great has happened”: Daniel Craig’s Saddest Hilarious Story Happened In A Bar After Actor Had Hesitated To Take Up James Bond For One Reason
Roger Moore’sLive and Let DieInspired Daniel Craig’s 007
Martin Campbell’sCasino Royaleis one of the more physical entries in theJames Bondfranchise, with one prominent example being the scene where Bond is captured and tortured by Le Chiffre. And following Daniel Craig’s most humane take on the British Icon, the major inspiration came from Roger Moore’sLive and Let Die. AlthoughLive and Let Dieisn’t as acclaimed as most ofSean Connery‘sBondfilms, considering it was the firstJames Bondfilm Craig watched, it’s reasonable why it influenced his version of 007 greatly. Speaking withEmpire Magazine, he said,
“I still think it’s a great film, and the more I’ve got into this job, the more I’ve looked at it and the more I’ve tried to feel a connection to it.” He tries to find the words. “There’s a thing that Bond does… In Casino Royale he gets knocked down. I mean, he gets mowed down. But he always fucking gets up. Always. And that’s really fascinating.
The grittier and more realistic approach helped Campbell to reinvent the Bond mythos for the modern audience, cementing Daniel Craig as the best 007 since Sir Connery.
Also read:“I’m bald, and I’ve got a double chin”: Like Clint Eastwood, Harry Potter Star Michael Gambon Refused to Play James Bond for His Own Insecurities After Sean Connery
Daniel Craig Was Sold on the Gritty and Realistic Story
It’s pretty well-known thatDaniel Craigwasn’t too enthusiastic about taking the 007 gig, as he rejected the initial offer. And while Steven Spielberg eventually convinced Craig to give the script a shot, theMunichStar was assured he would not be sold on the writing. But it wasn’t the case, as he was completely engrossed in Campbell’s gritty vision.
He toldEmpire Magazine:
“I was honestly wanting to dislike it. It would have been an easy decision. I could have said, ‘That’s very nice. Good luck with it.’ But it was too much. I sweated when I read the script. I thought, this is a great story…”
Also read:“It’s just not happening at all”: Unlike Keanu Reeves, Daniel Craig’s Best James Bond Movie Gets Shredded by Gun Expert for One Impossible Scene
Looking back at Craig’s journey as the British Icon, taking inspiration fromLive and Let Diesurely worked out, and fans will hope the next Bond that succeeds him brings something new to the table too.
Casino Royaleis available to rent on Apple TV.
Source:Empire Magazine
Santanu Roy
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2539
Santanu Roy is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on movies, with over 2,000 articles under his belt. He has been pursuing a degree in Animation and possesses a deep love for the medium of animation. Having spent the better part of the last two years pumping out articles for FW, Santanu excels at covering movie analysis and news surrounding Pixar, DCU, DreamWorks, and Batman’s cinematic legacy.With psychological thrillers and intimate slice-of-life dramas ranking among his favorite genres, Santanu is a big admirer of Luca Guadagnino, Shane Black, Park Chan-wook, and Brad Bird.
