As we get closer and closer to the release of the 25h James Bond film No Time To Die – which has been delayed several times throughout the pandemic – a behind the scenes video has been released of Daniel Craig giving an emotional farewell speech as production on his final 007 adventure wrapped.
Craig was first as James Bond in 2005 for Casino Royale, a franchise reboot where Bond is newly given the 007 rank and is sent on a mission where he slowly adopts main of the character traits audiences had gotten to know over 40+ years. Craig would reprise the role in four more films – Quantum of Solace, Skyfall and Spectre – with No Time To Die being his final James Bond 007 film.
Craig’s tenure as the most famous secret agent on film has overall been pretty positively received by fans and mainstream audiences, though it has not been without some sort of controversy as Craig once infamously stated he would rather slit his wrists than make another Bond film when asked when he would do the next.
He did clarify he had just finished production and was doing weeks of finishing rounds of press junkets and red carpets, likening it to finishing a marathon and not wanting to think about the next marathon. It’s a fact he briefly references in his speech and despite his past comments and the gruelling production the Bond films have, Craig is clearly emotional over completing his final Bond film, a role he’s had for 16 years.
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Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
No Time To Die stars Daniel Craig (James Bond), Ralph Fiennes (M), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny), Rory Kinnear (Tanner), Léa Seydoux (Madeleine Swann), Ben Whishaw (Q), Jeffrey Wright (Felix Leiter) and Christoph Waltz (Blofeld), while new additions include Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody), Ana de Armas (Blade Runner 2049), Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel), Billy Magnussen (Velvet Buzzsaw), Dali Benssalah (A Faithful Man) and David Dencik (Top of the Lake).
No Time to Die hits UK cinemas on September 30th, and US theaters on October 8th.
Ricky Church – Follow me on Twitter for more movie news and nerd talk.