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Grumpy Bond: licensed to scowl
Updated 11:52am on 15 Nov 2006• Won't drink a vodka martini
• Can't wait to take off his tie
• Leaves party early as he can • Doesn't crack a smile all night
Could Daniel Craig be the grumpiest James Bond ever?
He has been dubbed the Blond Bond for his looks and then Premium Bond for his rave reviews - but at last night's Casino Royale premiere his stony demeanour made him seem more like his spy boss M... for Miserable.
• Pictures: Casino Royale World Premiere
• Watch the trailer for Casino Royale
• 'A bit of a geek' - The unlikely past of the man hailed as the sexiest Bond ever
• Is she the best Bond girl Eva?
Arriving at the Leicester Square showcase Craig was neither shaken nor stirred into a smile, and revealed he didn't care what his critics said about his performance, claiming: "Every day I just went out and did the best I could."
And his mood didn't lighten at the £250,000 after-show party at Mayfair's Berkeley Square. Craig, dressed in a regulation black tie outfit, said while he enjoyed the occasional vodka martini there was only so much of Bond's tipple of choice he could stomach. Instead, he made a beeline for the Guinness.
While guests including footballer Teddy Sheringham and his girlfriend, former Miss Great Britain Danielle Lloyd, gambled on the casino tables, Craig left the bash early.
Just after midnight he shed his bow tie, unbuttoned his shirt and left, grim-faced and clutching the arm of his 29-year-old girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell. Other celebrities partied on for another two hours.
In stark contrast to Craig's intense looks, the Queen glowed with excitement at the premiere.
She and Prince Philip were guests of honour at the screening and arrived in regal style - although, unusually, the windows o f their Bentley weren't tinted.
One security insider said: "She never uses a car with clear windows but tonight she could be seen telling her driver to slow down so she could do the royal wave to fans.
"And Prince Philip was sitting in the back seat like an over-excited child at the prospect of going to a Bond movie."
Reader views (36)
Only box-office figures will tell if this grumpy looking, charisma-free bloke can be a success as James Bond. Speaking for myself, I'll wait for the TV presentation in two years' time.
- Simon Cooper, London, England, 15/11/2006 21:45
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I think he just wants his work to be judged on its own instead of as a successor to more iconic Bonds. Wrong role for that, but still. He's intense and stressed, when the time comes, he will screw a smile on his face and be flippant, like after the boxoffice numbers are in. The guy is under a little pressure to produce here.
- Jim Destephano, Erie, USA, 15/11/2006 21:26
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What a complete blunder. Who is responsible for hiring this unappreciative bore? Most men would kill to have any shot at being James Bond. This guy makes me long for the Timothy Dalton days.
- Michael Flores, Naperville, IL, 15/11/2006 21:20
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Guinness destroys martinis any day of the week. Kudos to him.
- David Conway, Juneau, Alaska USA, 15/11/2006 21:20
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Thank god for this new Bond. The series had become so tired. It's okay to suspend some of your disbelief while watching a movie, but it had become ridiculous. I mean, Denise Richards as a nuclear scientist? Please! Glad to know the series is going back to its roots, a la Connery in Dr. No. Can't wait to see it.
- J Arnett, Portland, OR, USA, 15/11/2006 21:00
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He's probably having a fight with his girlfriend. Look at the scowl on both their faces.
- Minan, New York, NY, 15/11/2006 20:55
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Hey, at least he's not another George Lazenby. Give him a chance.
- Frank Kane, Scranton, Pa. USA, 15/11/2006 20:47
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Kudos Daniel Craig! Love this guy! It is nice to shake things up. Pierce Brosnan never seemed to have the stuff. He was smooth but weak. Daniel Craig brings power to the roll and his intensity makes him appear dangerous and believable.
- Marty A., Chicago, United States, 15/11/2006 20:35
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I too would leave the party with Satsuki as soon as I could. Quite a looker she is!
- John Smallberries, Stone Henge, UK, 15/11/2006 20:26
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Daniel Craig was smiling all night at the premiere. Maybe a few weeks of constant press intrusion have worn him down. I have seen Casino Royale (as well as the other 20 entries in the series) and can say, hand on heart, it is one of the best, if not THE best of the films.
- Richard Johnson, London, England, 15/11/2006 20:09
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Who gives a damn what he drinks or when he left the party? He sounds like a real person to me... like beautiful women, drinks beer, hates ties and stuffy parties. Good for him.
- Sean, Atlanta, GA, USA, 15/11/2006 19:59
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Why is everyone being so nasty about this? Why does the average person give a damn whether Craig is upbeat or down? I don't understand why he can't be allowed to by himself, to be moody if he feels this way, or happy if he's up for it. The people commenting on here are being very silly in my view. Craig is just an actor who is trying to make a living through playing roles. He's been harshly criticized by the world simply for taking on this job in the first place- people griping about things he can do nothing about, like being blond, or not being super charming like Sean Connery.
- Gregory Scott, Houston, Texas, 15/11/2006 19:49
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Give the man a break. He may have just been having a bad day. And Bond is a *fictional character.* That Daniel Craig doesn't like the same drink as a fictional character is not a crime. In my book, a beer drinker is preferrable to a martini drinker any day. I'm sure he's amazing as Bond. It's not about the hair color. It's the attitude. I will be there on opening day cheering him on.
- Michelle Roy, United States, 15/11/2006 19:47
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They're taking Bond in a whole new direction, going back and shedding some of the cheesiness of the Pierce Brosnan era and giving him a new personality. He's rough, he bleeds, he feels. I personally can't wait for the film.
- GL, US, 15/11/2006 19:28
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After the train wreck that was Pierce Brosnan, this guy is great! I like my James Bond gritty, not a pretty boy!
- Denise Hennebury, Greensboro, NC , USA, 15/11/2006 19:21
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I feel its unrealistic to expect an actor to be his character off screen. No one feels slighted by Brad Pitt because he doesn't bare knuckle box! As long as Mr. Craig plays the role well and looks the part, we should be glad. I hope we can look forward to many more bond films to come.
- Marcus Davis, Detroit, Michigan United States, 15/11/2006 19:06
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My girlfriend would be unhappy if I was paid to hang out with Eva Green too...
- Crom, TX, USA, 15/11/2006 18:59
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Craig has none of the qualities of Connery as Bond. He hates guns and appears to be more interested in himself than anything else. Find a worthy actor to be Bond.
- Beak Warner, Austin, TX, 15/11/2006 18:50
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I saw this Bond in Munich and he did a fantastic job in that. I can hardly wait to see him in this. Bond has not been the same since Connery maybe this guy will breath some life into it. I would not be all that happy either if I had simple minded people insulting the way I look etc... And who have never seen me act.
- John G., San Angelo, Texas, 15/11/2006 18:37
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I personally the new Bond looks older than Pierce Brosnan who supposedly was ousted because he look too old...
- Mike E., St. Paul, Minnesota, 15/11/2006 18:25
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This guy looks more like a villain than a 007. His look is too serious and cold. There's no sly, charming look that the authentic bond would have.
He just does not seem like he could pull of a mission in that "suave" kind of way that the true bond would.
- Sloan Richard, New Orleans, LA, 15/11/2006 18:20
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Maybe he's just exhausted from the non-stop criticism he's recieved since he accepted the role. And what's this? More criticism.
And Sean Connery? Yeah, lets look at his behavior outside the movies.
- Rob, Hamden CT, 15/11/2006 18:02
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In reply to Mike, Daniel Craig was really great with the crowds.
He comes over to where we are standing, all night he has been signing autographs etc. I ask him if he'll take a photo of us together, he agrees and does so, he moves off down the line signing photographs.
Now here's the great bit, when he is finished at the line he walks straight back to me and says "I don't think your flash went off, do you want me to take another?"
Does that sound like someone who doesn't like crowds?
- James Rendle, London, UK, 15/11/2006 18:01
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oh dear lord, why is there a blond bond, thats just not right
- Bilbo Baggins, the shire, middle earth, 15/11/2006 17:53
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The character of Bond made us want to be him. This is the first time I don't feel excited at all by a new Bond flick, and I can state that not only I don't 'want to be him', ... I am glad not to be him at all.
What a disaster. How could they choose such an uncharismatic person for the role ?
Leave the invisible cars out, but bring back Pierce !
- Stan Lubomirski, Geneva, Switzerland, 15/11/2006 17:46
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A beer drinking Bond is just fine with me!!!
- Chris Ison, Atlanta, Georgia USA, 15/11/2006 17:36
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It's possible that his grim mood was either caused or worsened by the mood of his girlfriend. I don't believe she cracked a smile the whole night either. Its unfortunate and was very obvious that she could not hide her displeasure when her boyfriend had to pose with other members of the cast, mostly with Bond Girl Eva. Too bad.
- South, Savannah, Ga, 15/11/2006 17:34
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As proved before, James Bond is a Time Lord.
- Jon, Chicago USA, 15/11/2006 17:29
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What is the big deal about leaving a party early with a beautiful woman.....? Congrats to Craig for bagging a great movie and a beautiful woman like Satsuki Mitchell.
- Joe Gent, Austin, TX, 15/11/2006 17:25
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Like many, Daniel Craig is just a struggling actor playing a heroic role, and people expect the actor to remain the dazzling, intense persona they see on the silver screen. If they don't, they are chastised and ridiculed. Such is the life of one seeking fame in the entertainment business.
- Nowicki, Orange County, CA, USA, 15/11/2006 17:16
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We'll soon see if he is the best, but I personally think he looks fine for the job, and who cares how he acts in real life....he isn't the actual Bond......
- Graham, Sammamish, Washington USA, 15/11/2006 17:10
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I guess because he plays Bond in the movies, Criag should be like Bond in real life too.
- Gary V, Rice Lake, WI USA, 15/11/2006 17:00
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Relegate this Bond wannabe to the ashpit.
There is only one James Bond: Sean Connery.
Roger Moore is a close second, but he's not Bond. Even David Niven (Bond in the original Casino Royale) is sexier than D.C.
- Paul Peldyak, Chicago USA, 15/11/2006 16:50
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First the new James Bond Craig tells the world he is afraid of guns or dislikes them.
Now, it appears he is not too fond of people either.
But he is fond of being miserable, and sharing his misery with others.
Another great casting decision by Hollywood, but the gushing media hype will probably save the studio anyway.
- Mike, fairfax, USA, 15/11/2006 16:49
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I was at the Premiere, I met Daniel Craig - great guy - He didn't seem grumpy at all, and was smiling throughout.
- James Rendle, London, UK, 15/11/2006 16:31
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Oh Yeah!
The best Bond ever. Only the studio tells you this. Must be true.
- Szwed, Detroit USA, 15/11/2006 15:52
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