I cannot imagine a better media campaign for an upcoming film than having the star repeatedly talk about how tired he is, how little he cares about the next film, and how he’ll only do it again for the money. Daniel Craig is the best possible salesman for Spectre.
Speaking to Time Out, Craig made it clear that his current mood is set to “fucking done with this shit”:
Can you imagine doing another Bond movie?
‘Now? I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists. No, not at the moment. Not at all. That’s fine. I’m over it at the moment. We’re done. All I want to do is move on.’
You want to move on from Bond for good?
‘I haven’t given it any thought. For at least a year or two, I just don’t want to think about it. I don’t know what the next step is. I’ve no idea. Not because I’m trying to be cagey. Who the fuck knows? At the moment, we’ve done it. I’m not in discussion with anybody about anything. If I did another Bond movie, it would only be for the money.’
The Spectre process makes Craig want to kill himself. If he’s ever Bond again, please note that it’s because he needs the money. Go see Spectre on October 26!
Lest you think that Craig’s lack of concern is only about himself, he also has no fucks to give about who might be 007 next:
Do you care who plays Bond after you?
‘Look, I don’t give a fuck. Good luck to them! All I care about is that if I stop doing these things we’ve left it in a good place and people pick it up and make it better. Make it better, that’s all.’
You won’t be backseat-driving then?
‘Oh Christ, no. How fucking sad would that be? “Oh look, it’s Daniel Craig, he’s on set again!” No!’
If an actor was offered Bond and came to you looking for advice, what would you say to him – or her?
‘Literally I’d say two things. Firstly, it’s your decision. Don’t listen to anybody else. Well, do listen to everybody, but you have to make the choice at the end of the day. It’s your bed to lie on. And don’t be shit! Don’t be shit. You’ve got to step up. People do not make movies like this any more. This is really rare now. So don’t be shit.’
It’s actually kind of sad that he’s not going to be in the business of coaching the next Bond. Can’t you just imagine him, just off-camera, yelling “Don’t be shit!” over and over? It would be amazing. The box office for that footage would dwarf those for the actual movie.
Look, Skyfall was a gorgeous-looking, plotally-confused film. Spectre is likely to be more of the same. But, man, am I going to miss Daniel Craig whenever he finally rides off in a helicopter fueled by his indifference. Can his next gig be as an advice columnist? “Dear Daniel, I’m worried I’m about to be fired. What should I do?” “Be better at your fucking job!”
I’d read it every single week.
Contact the author at katharine@io9.com.