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How Craig beat his rivals
By Alexa Baracaia, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 14.10.05
Daniel Craig is unveiled as Bond
The new James Bond was officially last week - along with the secret of how he beat his rivals to the plum role.
British actor Daniel Craig was confirmed as the sixth 007. He will be the first blond Bond - and, at 6ft, the shortest.
But according to a leaked memo from film producers, Craig was head and shoulders above his rivals for the part.
Hugh Jackman, it read, was "too fey", Colin Farrell "too sleazy", Eric Bana "not handsome enough" - and Ewan McGregor "too short" at 5ft10.
The email, from Cubby Broccoli's Eon Productions, added that Barbara Broccoli had championed Craig.
Despite not having the "full head of black hair" described by Ian Fleming, the Chester-born actor is probably closest in build and character to the author's vision. In From Russia With Love, Bond's file reads: "Height, 183cm (6ft); weight 76kg; slim build; eyes, blue... vices, drink, but not to excess, and women."
Craig, 37, is 78kg, with blue eyes - and a definite penchant for women.
He was implicated in the latest bust-up between Jude Law and Sienna Miller - he allegedly had a fling with the actress - and he has also dated Kate Moss.
His "lounge lizard" style is perfectly suited to the part, although he is an ex-secondary modern pupil rather than a former public school boy.
Craig has said of the Bond job: "You'd have to be stupid not to consider something like that. But there's an awful lot of pros and an awful lot of cons. It would go Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan... Daniel Craig?
"I wouldn't want to have to carry the rap for destroying such an amazing sequence."
News that Craig has the part leaked out from his mother, who told neighbours on the Wirral. One of them told the local press.
Mrs Craig said: "We are thrilled to bits. He has worked extremely hard all his life and this would be his biggest populist role. It will be life-changing."
Reader views (11)
Craig is a good actor for me,but he's to hard,strong,aggressive and stiff for a James bond movies, in perivous episodes all James bonds are handsome,gentle,sexy look in holding down women wherever they go.am not condemning Craig,let him keep it up.all the best.but my best bonds (007) are Pierce Brosnan, Roger Moore, and Sean Connery.
- Moseley Charles Temitope, Ibadan,Nigerian
I just watched Her Majesty's Secret Service by George Lazenby, Waoh... he did a good job as at that time! He could have done more but God knows what happened. Daniel Craig is ok but he's too stiff for an actor.
Anyway, Sean Connery is still my best James Bond and he also aged gracefully.
Thumbs up for the James Bond actors.
- Ona Adeleke, Atlanta, GA
Quantum of Solace and the latest Casino Royale are not as much fun as the other Bond films. In QoS the chase sequences were blurry, the editing choppy and in terms of the story and characterization the villain was boring; what were they trying to do? Why are are there so few witty lines in the Craig Bond films? It is the writing, filming, and pacing which really make the difference not which actor plays Bond. Even so, the Pierce Brosnan, Roger Moore, and Sean Connery Bond films were the most fun Bond films thus far.
- Sylvie Bosher, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
When it comes to sauve style, the winner is Pierce all the way... Daniel makes a good Bond in his younger days, but the moviemakers did not think the film out properly. Craig used the Walther P99 which is a very recent pistol. In the era which Daniel was portraying Bond, he should have been using the Walther PPK.
- Shane Lindie, New Amsterdam, Berbice, Guyana
Can't complain. Bond movies are expected to eclipse prior Bond movies, but 'Casino Royale' by far delivers with gusto much more than you'd expect of any other James Bond movie and the new Bond, Daniel Craig, delivers superbly in all the right places. The movie itself shows what a day in the life of secret agent is all about with subtlety and nonchalantness.
- Bill Cacdac, Sunnyvale, USA
Daniel Craig is the best Bond since Sean Connery, dark, ruthless, sadistic and passionate. A true charismatic potrayal of Ian Flemings uber-hero if there ever was one. He brings great screen presence, a fantastic physique, and superb dialouge delivery to the role.
Forget the pretenders to the throne. Craig gets the Bond series back to its roots in glorious style... finally.
- Brad M., USA
Craig brought a new demension to the Bond Character, he is not just a pretty boy. He makes Bond seem tougher and more ruthless.
- Walter H, Kingston, NY, USA
Of course Sir Sean Connery is Bond! James Bond! That's a given. It takes nothing away from Daniel Craig, who performed excellently in this film's role as James Bond. He showed skill and adeptness as he obtained his double 0 status. He is a Bond! Even though he's blond.
- B, USA
You expect me to believe that Daniel Craig is better than Hugh Jackman?
- Warren, Honolulu, Hawaii
Craig is the best we've got... dye his hair black and the critics will still find something else. Oh yes, my view is that Craig is perfect for the role at this time in history. I know, I know... We all miss Sean.
- Ricardo Moses, UK
I like the fact that the new Bond is closer to Fleming's idea.
- Rondal C. James, Akron, Ohio
