The next "James Bond" film remains in limbo as star Daniel Craig has yet to make up his mind about whether he would reprise the coveted role. MGM bosses were reportedly left panicking after the British actor has been "off grid" for an entire year with respect to the film. Does this mean Craig is officially retiring as agent 007?
A source told The Daily Mail that Craig and MGM Studios are currently at a stalemate with the actor not speaking to them about the next "James Bond" movie. The source added that MGM has offered the actor a huge sum, and has asked about his filming availability for 2017, but there has been no response from Craig as of yet.
It is said that MGM is project an October 2018 release date for the 25th "Bond" film. On the other hand, filming dates have not yet been confirmed.
It appears that Craig has been going back and forth with his thoughts on the "James Bond" franchise. The latest conversation Craig has had about "James Bond" was in October 2016, when he appeared at the New York Festival's Beyond Bond panel. The actor said that being Bond is "the best job in the world."
"If I were to stop doing it, I would miss it terribly. I love this job. I get a massive kick out of if and if I can keep getting a kick out of it, I will," Craig told fans at the event, as quoted by Independent.
This is a surprising U-turn to his previous statement where he told Time Out magazine that he would slash his wrists than do another "Bond" movie. At that time, Craig made it clear that if ever he would be tempted to return, it would "only be for the money."
Aside from Craig's silence, it speculation that one of the reasons he might not return to take on the James Bond mantle is his age. He is turning 49 years old this March. However, the "James Bond" franchise isn't known for being particular about the age of its actors. As a matter of fact Roger Moore was 57 years old when he played James Bond in 1985's "A View to a Kill."
Meanwhile, bets are up as to which actor could succeed Craig if he ever decides not to pursue the role one more time. Among the top contenders are Michael Fassbender, Aidan Turner, Tom Hardy and Idris Elba.
