Just weeks ago "007" star Daniel Craig ran into trouble with fans over jaded comments about the next installment of the "James Bond" franchise. Once again Craig has stepped into the spotlight owing to remarks that his onscreen character is no role model, nor is the British agent a ladies man.
Before the release of the latest "Bond" film, Craig told The Red Bulletin in an interview that his character is "actually a misogynist." The 47-year-old actor, whom critics feel has grown bored with the famed persona, told the publication his role models were those who possessed a "moral compass" rather than his character.
When asked what viewers could learn from "Bond," Craig thought for a few minutes and replied, "Nothing." He went on to imply that his character has been "chivalrous" only because of the strong female roles that have been paired with him.
"We've surrounded him with very strong women who have no problem putting him in his place," Craig told the publication. However, he did touch on the more endearing qualities of his character, saying "Bond" can sometimes be a gentleman who "takes care of business" and open doors "for everyone and not just women."
Craig is the sixth actor to portray Ian Fleming's famed British secret service agent and is reportedly the highest-paid actor to have portrayed the character. According to Time, Craig earned $83 million dollars for the latest film "Spectre," which is scheduled to hit threaters in November.
It is the intensity that Craig has brought to his "007" role that has opened up avenues for the film to be rebooted with a more serious edge, winning over many of his skeptics.
"Spectre" is the fourth "Bond" film that Craig has appeared in with many critics anticipating the Nov. 6 screening to perhaps be his last.
While Craig has been signed on to appear in another installment, his recent comments about "slashing his wrists" have left viewers with an ambivalence about the role of "Bond" in the films to come.