The Poster Memorabilia blog

A (James) Bond to Remember

London, November 2006 — a cold night, a new 007, and a smirk one fan still remembers.

By an anonymous Hollywood insider

This may be a hot take, but I always thought that Daniel Craig is the definitive James Bond. I know Sean Connery originated the role and many believe Pierce Brosnan perfected it, but Craig simply personified it. Ever since he played the character in Casino Royale, I’ve only ever known his Bond.

It's no surprise he holds the record for playing 007 the longest, a whopping 15 years. Even more so now that finding his replacement has taken as long as it has. If he still wanted to and his age wasn't in the way, I'm sure he could've played Bond for 15 more years.

“Craig simply personified it.”

I was there at the premiere of his first Bond film, Casino Royale, in London in 2006, and I witnessed how he introduced himself to the world. As he walked on the red carpet and posed for the cameras, I immediately knew that he was going to stay in the role for a long time.

What I love most about his Bond is the balance of the qualities we usually associate with the character. He had refined good looks and a suave sex appeal, but also a rugged energy and a heroic dignity, perfect for the more action-packed scenes.

In person, he evoked a masculine elegance that foreshadowed his impending movie stardom, and now he's one of the best actors in the industry, even after letting Bond go. I may have a difficult time not seeing him as 007 anymore, but I still enjoy his new work.

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I have to admit, though, that part of what made me a big fan is how nice he was when he signed my Casino Royale poster. While photographers hounded him to get their first shots of the new Bond, he still went up to fans and interacted with us. I'll never forget how he flashed me a cool smirk as he gave me his autograph.

The rest of the cast were just as nice, too. I remember my jaw dropping when I saw Eva Green, the movie's Bond girl. I had seen her in other movies before, but I didn't realize just how beautiful she was, especially in person. And while she could've just ignored us fans as she posed for the cameras, she still took the time to give us her autograph.

Mads Mikkelsen also looked handsome, but his chiseled Scandinavian features intimidated me a bit. He looked like the quintessential Bond villain, and apart from Javier Bardem in Skyfall, he remains my favorite of Craig's adversaries in his films. He also looked cold, but was actually warm to us fans who braved the London cold just to see them on the red carpet.

Casino Royale was the perfect film to kick off one of the best Bonds we ever had on screen. Don't get me wrong, I love all the others that went before him, but he remains the quintessential 007 for me. And honestly, I doubt they'll ever find anyone who can continue the legacy as well as he did. I almost hope they don't!

Some things you watch. This one you keep.

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