The press was highly critical of the choice initially, with doubts about Craig's ability to embody the iconic character. While Cavill impressed with his audition, he was deemed too young for the role at that time.ĭaniel Craig's casting as James Bond in Casino Royale was met with mixed reactions, as longtime Bond casting director Debbie McWilliams revealed in a previous interview. Each participant expressed their opinions and cast their votes until a unanimous decision was reached. Among those considered for the role at the time was Henry Cavill, who would later become famous as DC's Superman. Campbell explained that a panel of decision-makers, including producers and casting directors, assessed eight potential candidates for the role. The decision to cast the new Bond was a collaborative one, involving several key stakeholders. “So I just thought about that for a minute and apart from that, absolutely it was always him.”ĪLSO READ: Did you know Pierce Brosnan was fired from the James Bond franchise? Here’s what happened A democratic selection process

In contrast, Craig's rugged and tough appearance deviated from the established Bond archetype. However, despite these initial concerns, Campbell ultimately chose Craig for the role, emphasizing that Craig's qualities outweighed any reservations he may have had. “Daniel was obviously tougher and rugged, but he wasn’t a traditional handsome guy,” he added.

He noted that legendary Bonds like Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Pierce Brosnan had all possessed a traditional, handsome charm that made them highly attractive to women. Campbell acknowledged Daniel Craig's exceptional acting prowess but expressed doubts about his fit for the iconic role.

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