The “will he stay or will he go” merry-go-round surrounding Daniel Craig’s future in James Bond’s blood-splattered brogues may show no signs of slowing down, with countless columns inches dedicated to the matter since the release of Spectre last year and a near-endless supply of possible replacements wheeled out as supposed favorites.
But according to an executive producer and unit production manager on the iconic franchise, the current 007 is still the preferred candidate for the top job.
Speaking to BBC radio to celebrate the 80th birthday of Pinewood Studios, the spy’s legendary production home, Callum McDougall, who has worked on every Bond since Die Another Day, said Craig was “absolutely the first choice” for chief producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
“I know they’re hoping for him to come back,” he added, although he admitted he had no idea who would eventually be named.
Among the latest rumors circling 007 is that Craig turned down $99 million to star in two more Bond films, following on from a comment he made when promoting Spectre that he’d rather “slash my wrists” than agree to do another.
While Idris Elba has long been tipped as the next actor to take the role, the likes of Tom Hiddleston and Aiden Turner have more recently topped bookmakers’ lists thanks to recent TV appearances.
In the spirit of the super-spy it oversees, production company Eon is, as ever, remaining tight-lipped.
