Daniel Craig, a 37-year-old blond-haired, blue-eyed Englishman, was unveiled on Friday as the new James Bond, ending months of mystery over who would play the role of the British playboy spy 007.
Craig, wearing sunglasses and a black suit and red tie, made a dramatic entry when he steered a Royal Marines speedboat, flanked by two soldiers in green berets, to a press conference on the banks of London’s River Thames.
A beaming Craig was asked how he was feeling about his new role as he walked up the gangplank to the HMS President, a Royal Navy ship.
”I’m speechless at the moment,” replied Craig, who posed for photographers on the gangplank with his arms around Bond producer Barbara Broccoli.
Craig has appeared in films including Layer Cake, Road to Perdition and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, in which he played Alex West.
Broccoli and fellow producer Michael Wilson said in a statement ”we are thrilled that Daniel Craig will play the character of 007. Daniel is a superb actor who has all the qualities needed to bring a contemporary edge to the role.”
They confirmed that production on the 21st Bond film, Casino Royale, is scheduled to begin in Britain in January. The movie will be based on Bond author Ian Fleming’s first 007 book, penned in 1953.
”Casino Royale will have all the action, suspense and espionage that our audiences have come to expect from us, but nevertheless takes the franchise in a new and exciting direction,” the producers said.
They said it is due for release worldwide on November 17 2006, following filming in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and Britain. — AFP
