Daniel Craig is possibly best known for playing the role of James Bond for over 15 years, and now, he spoke on his daring new role in Luca Guadagnino’s film, Queer, a film based on the semi-autobiographical novella by William S. Burroughs, which the actor plays the character of William Lee. Here, this man, amid the stormy same-sex relationship involving amphetamines, was trying to navigate himself through a tempestuous 1950s Mexico City.
In an interview with The Times of London, the 56-year-old actor said he would not have accepted such a provocative role in his Bond era, saying, “I couldn’t have done this while doing Bond. It would look reactionary like I was showing my range.”
Daniel Craig admitted that it was not easy to play James Bond, both physically and emotionally, and said that he would take six months to recover after every film. “I was so exhausted at the end of a Bond it would take me six months to recover emotionally,” he said. With fan expectations and the franchise weighing heavily on his shoulders, there seemed little creativity available to him to explore outside the stoic masculinity of Bond.
Being released from the bondage of 007, Daniel Craig is not short of eclectic, different types of roles: ranging from eccentric detective Benoit Blanc in Knives Out to the sequel, Glass Onion. In Queer, Daniel Craig made his most important stride outside of the lines when explicit content was portrayed within the film. Intimate scenes were included, but, of course, a couple of countries banned that particular film.
Reflecting on the evolution of his career, Daniel Craig said, “Early on with Bond I thought I had to do other work but I didn’t. I was becoming a star whatever that means and people wanted me in their films. Incredible”.
Daniel Craig’s bold approach toward post-bond projects shows his commitment to the diversification of such storytelling, giving audiences a greater glance into his diversity as an actor. Queer is set to challenge perceptions, both on-screen and off.
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