In a new interview, actor Daniel Craig denies the contention that James Bond is anything but a one-dimensional misogynist.
Having wrapped up his fourth bond film, Spectre, which is set to debut in the U.S. next month, the 47-year-old has been open about the rigors, both physical and mental, of playing Ian Fleming’s famed British spy.
“I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists,” he told Time Out London earlier this month of potentially reprising the role in the future. “No, not at the moment. Not at all. That’s fine. I’m over it at the moment. We’re done. All I want to do is move on.”
After a decade of being associated with Bond, Craig now tells The Red Bulletin in a new interview he has deduced the legendary alpha male character, whose no-nonsense acts of heroism and British patriotism have endeared him to generations of fans, to be man of little substance.
When asked what normal folks could possibly learn from the character, Craig concludes, “Nothing.”
While Craig does believe Bond is capable of being a perfect gentleman, who looks out for others before himself, he adds, “Let’s not forget that he’s actually a misogynist.”
The actor says, “A lot of women are drawn to him chiefly because he embodies a certain kind of danger and never sticks around for too long.”
Likewise, Bond is lucky to have “very strong women” who have “have no problem putting him in his place” in Spectre, says Craig.
Of Monica Bellucci, who plays Bond girl Lucia Sciarra in the film, Craig resists labeling her as an older woman, saying, “We’re talking about Monica Bellucci, for heaven’s sake. When someone like that wants to be a Bond girl, you just count yourself lucky!”
When asked if James Bond could be counted as a positive role model for young people, he says, “My own role models are people who have a moral compass. People who have the courage of their convictions: great journalists, writers, artists…”
Craig ends the interview, telling Red Bulletin he is unsure if Spectre will be is last Bond film.
While he excludes any mention of self mutilation, he does surrender, “What I need right now is to stop working, relax and get back to normal life… There’s one thing I actually find more exciting than Bond at the moment: going home.”
Spectre will release on Nov. 6.
Read Red Bulletin’s full interview with Daniel Craig here.
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