Daniel Craig confirms he will return as James Bond
LOS ANGELES: Daniel Craig has made it official: He’ll be returning for another movie as James Bond.
Craig confirmed the news that had been widely expected during his appearance on Tuesday’s edition of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”
Colbert pressed Craig about his quote, when he joked that he would “rather break this glass and slash my wrists” than return to the role. Craig said he gave that interview two days after “Spectre” finished shooting, when he was still exhausted.
“Instead of saying something with style and grace, I said something really stupid,” he admitted.
Craig also said that his fifth Bond movie would be his last.
“I think this is it. I just want to go out on a high note,” he added. “I can’t wait.”
The British actor has been cagey about his return, even saying in a radio interview earlier on Tuesday that nothing was confirmed.
“White Boy Rick” director Yann Demange is the frontrunner to direct Bond 25, which is dated for Nov 8, 2019. After Eon Productions’ deal with Sony ran out after “Spectre,” the franchise is in search of a new studio for distribution. Warner Bros. is believed to be closest to landing the deal.
The last Bond film, “Spectre,” grossed US$880 million worldwide in 2015, while “Skyfall” brought in a hefty US$1.1 billion in 2012.
Craig took over from Pierce Brosnan starting with 2006’s “Casino Royale,” then returned for “Quantum of Solace” in 2008.