In just the first week of release, the global revenue of the latest James Bond movie, “Spectre” reached more than 300 million USD. This film continued to sweep the box office in the markets it was present in throughout November and December 2015.

With a production cost of up to 250 million USD, plus about 100 million USD for promotion, “Spectre” became the most expensive film in the more than half-century long history of this series.

 Although it is not considered as good as episode 23, “Skyfall” produced in 2012, “Spectre” still has enough power to make waves for a long time and appears to have no competition. 

“Spectre” is becoming the box office “rescuing” hero after it experienced its lowest revenue month since 2007. The film also became the 2nd highest opening gross in the history of 24 episodes. debuted about 007, just after “Skyfall”.

“Spectre” is also the 4th episode featuring Daniel Craig and there are many speculations that this will be the last time he plays 007.

Although many people think that he is no longer in form, it must be true. admitted that Daniel Craig is still extremely charming in the role of a dashing spy.

Trailer for the movie “Spectre”.

Smash the boycott campaign to create a completely new James Bond

Daniel Craig’s career can be divided into two periods: before and after taking on the role of James Bond. His “pre-James Bond” period mainly involved theater. 

The actor born in 1968 began participating in school plays at the age of 6 and studied acting systematically from the age of 16. 

After graduating from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1991, Craig became a familiar face on London’s theater stages.

 He also appeared in films such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), Road to Perdition (2002), Layer Cake (2004) or Munich (2005).

In the eyes of many people, James Bond must be handsome with an attractive appearance and always surrounded by women. In appearance, Craig looks nothing like James Bond as imagined. 

He is only 1.78m tall and has blond hair, while all five actors who played Bond in the past were all tall, dark-haired actors.

Craig’s rough, cold face cannot be called handsome, especially when compared to the flamboyance of his predecessor Pierce Brosnan. 

However, in October 2005, Craig’s unexpected casting as the legendary spy created a wave of protest from the Bond fan community. 

There are too many reasons for loyal Bond fans to object. Therefore, there have been campaigns calling for a boycott of Craig’s Casino Royale episode.

Many people believe that the name and personality of this actor at that time did not satisfy fans of the character James Bond created by writer Ian Fleming.

However, Daniel Craig still received encouragement from his predecessors, when previous James Bonds including Sean Connery, Roger Moore, George Lazenby, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan all voiced their support for him. 

Clive Owen himself – who the audience expected to be given the role that time – also commented: “Craig received a lot of unavoidable pressure because this is a notable role. But he’s a serious actor and I think when the movie comes out, audiences will see that Craig is a great choice.”

Clive Owen’s prediction came true, Casino Royalera launched in 2006, crushing criticism and skepticism. The film grossed up to 594 million USD and introduced to the public a completely new James Bond. 

From the opening sequence, viewers witnessed Bond wrestling with his opponent in the bathroom before coldly finishing him off. 

Next is a chase through a dusty construction site in Madagascar that leaves Bond “scratched”. They show that 007 is strong, cold and not afraid of danger.

Casino Royale is considered the best 007 movie and also introduces the most “life” James Bond.

He is not flashy or concerned about drinking “shaken, not stirred” martinis like previous Bonds, but always puts the mission first.

Craig’s Bond is still attractive to women, but that’s because of his cold, rough, masculine appearance.

 The new version of Bond also knows anger, pain and hurt when betrayed by the person he loves. This element makes him the most authentic James Bond.

 Many newspapers have called Daniel Craig “the best Bond since Sean Connery”, while many people who criticized him in the past have turned to support him since Casino Royale.

The opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics still makes many people remember the appearance of Queen Elizabeth. 

Before the Queen appeared on the stage of honor, she was escorted by helicopter piloted by “James Bond” Daniel Craig. Along with Harry Potter or The Beatles, the spy number 007 is considered a “national treasure” of British culture.

Conquering a new journey after James Bond

A decade has passed and Daniel Craig has been with 007 for four episodes. After a not so outstanding Quantum of Solace (2008), the “bomb” Sky fall in 2012 became a box office phenomenon. 

With revenue of more than 1.1 billion USD, Skyfall is the most popular James Bond movie of all time.

 Even the theme song Skyfall performed by Adele created a fever and won both an Oscar and a Grammy. 

In Skyfall, James Bond at one point seemed to have collapsed when he encountered personal problems and had to confront the villain Silva (Javier Bardem), but in the end he was still the winner.

Daniel Craig in “Skyfall”.

Daniel Craig once confided: “I want to see James Bond make mistakes and make the audience believe that everything is about to fall apart, so when he responds, everything will be much more attractive.

 Personally, I’m also a Bond fan and know what the audience wants.”

In an interview with the press, the actor said that my role models are people who are mentally strong and have the courage to stand up for their personal beliefs: Journalists, writers, artists. great artist…

All great artists, from Picasso to Francis Bacon, had strong beliefs and stuck to them throughout their lives. They don’t care what others think about their work. 

They always do what they want. I really admire that because people must have real strength to do what they do.

 The latest movie Specter may be Daniel Craig’s last time playing James Bond. This role changed his life, brought him a lot of fame and money, but also caused him to sacrifice many things. 

To play Specter, Craig spent 8 consecutive months filming in locations in England, Mexico, Morocco, the Austrian Alps as well as Rome (Italy). The 47-year-old actor also has to exercise regularly to maintain a strong body.

But Craig’s biggest concern was the spy character, which made it difficult for him to concentrate on acting as he wanted. He said: “The best acting is when you don’t have to care about your appearance, but Bond is not like that. 

You always have to pay attention to your appearance because the way Bond dresses smartly and walks into a room is very important. As an actor, I don’t want to care about how I look at all.”

Craig’s above statement is a sign that this actor is ready for a new start to separate from the Bond image. From now on, names like Tom Hardy, Idris Elba or Damian Lewis… have been suggested as top candidates to play James Bond in the future.

 But no matter who is chosen, he will have to try very hard to overcome the giant shadow of current “James Bond” Daniel Craig.

When the press asked the question “When did you decide to hand over the role of Bond to the next actor?”, Daniel Craig answered: “This is a question that always bothers me.

 Actually, I haven’t decided yet. What I need now is to take a break from work, take a break and return to normal life.

 Now the only thing I’m more excited about than filming a Bond movie is coming home.”