Daniel Craig opens up about his biggest Bond reservation: "The construct of masculinity"

Daniel Craig reveals his biggest challenge as James Bond was confronting the "construct of masculinity" in his role.

Daniel Craig, known for portraying the MI6 agent James Bond across five films, recently shared his thoughts on the societal concept of masculinity and how it influenced his role in the franchise. In an exclusive interview with The New Yorker, Craig admitted that one of his biggest reservations about playing Bond was the “construct of masculinity” tied to the character.

“It was often very laughable, but you can’t mock it and expect it to work,” Craig stated, discussing how the exaggerated aspects of masculinity in the Bond films could be problematic. However, he explained that to make the character believable, you have to buy into that portrayal. The actor reflected on the challenge of embodying a persona that is both iconic and based on outdated notions of masculinity.

Craig’s portrayal of the suave spy spanned 15 years and included films like Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021). The actor, who retired from the role after the final film, has openly discussed his decision to leave the franchise behind, revealing that he was no longer aligned with the character. Craig also confessed that he’s not involved in the search for a new Bond.

The actor further explained how his post-Bond career, which includes his role in Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, has allowed him to explore a more vulnerable side of masculinity. Reflecting on his growth as an actor, Craig admitted that he couldn’t have taken on his role in Queer during his time as Bond.

As Craig embraces new, diverse roles, he feels “free” from the fame that came with the Bond franchise, and is now exploring more complex, vulnerable characters like his portrayal in Queer.