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Is Daniel Craig Almost Done As James Bond?

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Daniel Craig has strongly hinted that the upcoming ‘SPECTRE’ may wind up being his final film as James Bond - but is the time right for him to turn in his licence to kill?

The actor made the remarks in a new interview with Esquire, revealing that his future in the iconic secret agent role is uncertain.

Asked if he will do another, Craig says, “I don’t know… I really don’t know. Honestly. I’m not trying to be coy. At the moment I can’t even conceive it.”

Asked whether he wants to play 007 again, his answer seems a bit more definitive: “At this moment, no. I have a life and I’ve got to get on with it a bit. But we’ll see.”

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Craig’s remarks come not long after ‘SPECTRE’ and ‘Skyfall’ director Sam Mendes - the first filmmaker to direct two consecutive Bond movies in over 25 years - declared that he did not intend to return to the series a third time.

Of course, a Bond director opting not to come back is not nearly so large a concern as whether or not a Bond actor returns. The question is, has Craig achieved enough in the role - having brought the series to its commercial and critical peak with ‘Skyfall’ - or is there still more work to be done?

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On the one hand, ‘SPECTRE’ will only be Craig’s fourth appearance as 007, which might not seem much of a tenure for an actor classed by some as the best Bond ever.

Craig’s immediate predecessor Pierce Brosnan - a once highly praised Bond whose reputation seems to be losing its shine with time - also checked out at four films.

The most prolific Bonds remain arguably the two most famous incarnations, Sean Connery (six films, or seven if we count 1983′s unofficial ‘Never Say Never Again’) and Roger Moore (seven fully-fledged Eon productions).

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However, it isn’t just about the number of films, but also the length of time in the part. Connery made all his Bond movies (again, not counting ‘Never Say Never Again’) in the space of nine years, making his swansong in ‘Diamonds are Forever’ aged 41.

Moore, meanwhile, lasted twelve years - and not even his most die-hard fans would dispute he was far too old for the part by the end, shooting ‘A View To A Kill’ aged 57.

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Daniel Craig’s debut ‘Casino Royale’ was now nine years ago. Initially cast as a younger Bond just earning his 00 status, the actor is now 47 - two years younger than Brosnan was in his swansong ‘Die Another Day.’

While Craig appears as physically fit as ever (he’s surely the most athletic Bond of them all), the years are frankly showing, as reflected by the many pointed comments about his age in ‘Skyfall.’

It is of course impossible to say at this point whether or not ‘SPECTRE’ might prove a good note for Craig to go out on. However, with the end of ‘Skyfall’ having introduced a new Bond family with Naomie Harris’ Moneypenny, Ralph Fiennes’ M and Ben Whishaw’s Q, might it be a shame for that ensemble to lose its key player so soon?

As Moneypenny tells Bond in the trailer below, “they say you’re finished - I think you’re just getting started.” Judge for yourself when ‘SPECTRE’ hits UK cinemas on 26 October.

Picture Credit: MGM-UA/Sony