Daniel Craig bid an emotional farewell to James Bond, and the cast and crew who have worked with him during his latest outing as Britain’s most famous spy, a video clip has revealed.
Footage shared on social media shows the actor giving a poignant speech on the set of No Time To Die, due to be released later in September, which will be his final appearance as 007 before he bows out after 15 years.
The clip is from the documentary Being James Bond, in which Craig reflects on his time following in the footsteps of actors including Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Pierce Brosnan.
Craig tells the cast and crew that working on Bond has been “one of the greatest honours” of his life, despite reports that he had not always enjoyed playing the secret agent.
“A lot of people here have worked on five pictures with me,” Craig says in the clip. “I know there’s a lot of things said about what I think about these films and all of… whatever, but I’ve loved every single second of these movies and especially this one, because I’ve got up every morning, and I’ve had the chance to work with you guys. And that has been one of the greatest honours of my life.”
The documentary features previously unseen archival footage from Craig’s first Bond film, 2006’s Casino Royale, up to No Time To Die, and Craig shares his personal memories in conversation with producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli.
Broccoli says Craig has taken the character and the series “to a place that is so… extraordinary. And so emotionally satisfying”, while Wilson says filming the final outing as Bond had been “emotionally tough” on the star.
No Time To Die will finally be released in cinemas on 30 September after years of delays, first due to original director Danny Boyle’s departure and then when the pandemic closed cinemas.
The final trailer for the film, released earlier in September, shows Bond talking to Spectre villain and foster-brother Blofeld (Christoph Waltz), who tells 007 that “my enemy’s your enemy”, before a shot of new baddie Safin – played by Rami Malek.
Speculation is now rife as to who might be taking over as Bond, with Tom Hardy, Idris Elba, Tom Hiddleston, Luke Evans, James Norton, and Rege-Jean Page among the names that have been rumoured.
The premiere of No Time To Die takes place at the Royal Albert Hall on 28 September, with the general release two days later.
