Daniel Craig reflected on “never working again” after playing James Bond

Daniel Craig didn’t want to ruin his winning streak.

The 56-year-old actor recently revealed that after his 15-year run as James Bond ended, he had no plan other than possibly never working again.

Craig spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about his life after 007 and the unexpected journey that led him to play William Lee in Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film “Queer,” in which his character falls in love with a younger man (Drew Starkey).

“I had no plan at all. I thought, ‘Maybe I’ll never work again,'” he said during the interview after starring in his fifth “Bond” film.

However, he didn’t give in and has starred in several films since No Time to Die (2021) – and it wasn’t Craig’s role as Bond that caught Guadagnino’s attention.

“But there is a film I made a few years ago called Love is the devilwhich Luca is a big fan of. I play the opposite role in this film (the younger man in a gay relationship and not the older one, as in Strange). But everyone gets old! Luca wanted to adapt Strange for many years,” he explained.

“Not long ago the rights were finally released and he approached me. I would have swept the floor for the guy because I think all his films are extraordinary and individual.”

Craig was part of THR’s 2024 Roundtable, which brought together several of Hollywood’s leading men to discuss the industry.

Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Emmy winner Colman Domingo, Marvel superhero Sebastian Stan, Oscar-nominated heartthrob Paul Mescal and actor Peter Sarsgaard were also featured.

Earlier this month, Craig revealed that production of 2008’s Quantum of Solace was a “fucking nightmare” due to the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike.

“We probably never should have started production, but we did,” he added. “I ended up writing a lot of this movie, which I probably shouldn’t say. I don’t want the loan. It’s okay.”

In 2019, Craig announced that he was done playing the legendary spy after five films. His last part, “No Time to Die,” was about his character’s death.

While recently promoting Queer, Craig shared that he has become a “different person” since his time as Bond ended.

“Listen, (Bond) is almost 20 years of my life,” he said. “When I took it on, I was one person. I am a completely different person now. I’m not making this film (“Queer”) as a reaction to that. I’m not that small. But I couldn’t have made this film when I was making Bond. It would have felt kind of like, ‘Why? What are you trying to prove?’”

The next 007 has yet to be announced. However, rumor has it that Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 34, has been offered the job – but he remains tight-lipped.