Daniel Craig has reportedly told studio executives that his days as a suave tuxedo clad spy are over.
The news leaves the James Bond franchise shaken but not stirred, as rumors persist about who producers may have in mind to take up the mantle as the next 007.
Craig is the highest-paid actor to ever play the iconic role, netting a reported total of £38 million for the four films he has appeared in…which translates to roughly $55 million US dollars.
The timing couldn’t be more intriguing, as the news has dropped mere days after Vegas bookies called off bets on London born actor Tom Hiddleston becoming the next James Bond.
So who will the next 007 possibly be?
Numerous names have been thrown about…as is tradition every time the role becomes available, and controversy usually follows.
In 2006 there was a spat by indignant purists that couldn’t believe a blonde actor had been chosen for the role of the traditionally tall, dark, and handsome James Bond…this time about there is outrage that Idris Elba, a black Englishman of Sierra Leonean descent, has been floated as a possible candidate for the role.
But all of this remains rumor and speculation at this time, fresh off the heels of Daniel Craig walking away from a reported £68 million ($99 million US dollars if you’re trying to calculate) two movie deal, it was apparent that keeping Daniel Craig was Plan “A” for Bond’s producers…and what their Plan “B” is remains to be seen…if they even had one lined up to begin with…
