Daniel Craig felt 'physically really low' between Bond films

Daniel Craig has said he does not know what the future holds after he has played Bond for the last time — but believes “there are other things that are more important” than the role that made him an international star.

The actor, 52, is taking on the part of the secret agent in No Time To Die after five years away and told GQ magazine at one point he was sure he “was never going to do one again”.

Craig, who posed topless for the magazine, said: “I was like, ‘Is this work really genuinely worth this, to go through this — this whole thing?’ I felt physically really low. So the prospect of doing another movie was just, like, off the cards. And that’s why it has been five years.”

He said getting into physical shape for the film, which stars Lashana Lynch and Rami Malek as well as regulars such as Naomie Harris as Moneypenny, was central to preparing for the role. “With Bond, you don’t get the script, so the physicality of it is a preparation, in a way. It’s making my head go, ‘This is what it’s going to be,’ he said.

“I have suffered from it in the past. I have suffered because it’s been like, ‘I can’t cope. I can’t deal with this.’”

The star said making his final 007 movie freed him to get more involved in the script, saying: “This is my last movie [as Bond]. I’ve kept my mouth shut before and I’ve stayed out of it and I’ve respected it and I’ve regretted that I did.”

Craig is married to British star Rachel Weisz. He has two children, one from an earlier marriage to actress Fiona Loudon and another with Weisz.

Asked what his future held, he said: “I don’t know what it is, maybe having another kid, maybe just being older. But all of these things, I was just like, you know, f*** it. There are other things that are more important. I’m pretty sure I can play just about anything. Yeah. I’m pretty sure I can, or at least I can make a f***ing good fist of it.”

Craig said the new film, which has had its release put back seven months due to the coronavirus outbreak, would show the “dark” side of Bond’s character that featured in Ian Fleming’s original novels.

He said: “I think it’s more interesting. I know we can’t have him having amphetamine and speed and doing all these things. But inside, I know I’m doing that. And I wanted to inform the part and say that’s what he is. He’s kind of a f***-up. Because this job would f*** you up.”

Daniel Craig stars in the April issue of GQ in a Global GQ James Bond Exclusive. GQ April issue is available via digital download and on newsstands on Wednesday.