Dan's Media Digest

I'VE BEEN EXPECTING YOU, MR BOND...

Firstly, apologies for the scarceness of posts recently, but it's not always possible to post something every day as I'm sure you understand. Anyway, I'm back today to share a wonderful interview with Daniel Craig about the upcoming James Bond adventure Casino Royale.

I've always loved Bond, as I'm sure most of the population do. The movies are both a gift and a curse to the filmmaker's, though. Bond has a pedigree and classic status that no other espionage movie can touch. Bond dominates the genre. Unfortunately, this also means the franchise risks becoming stale (you could argue it regularly does, until it's "rested" and rebranded for a new generation).

The last major shake-up was for Pierce Brosnan's debut in 1995 with Goldeneye. Timothy Dalton's brooding incarnation wasn't a hit with audiences, so Brosnan was brought in to reinvigorate the franchise for a post-Cold War audience. It worked brilliantly, under the direction of Martin Campbell, and Brosnan became many peoples favourite Bond actor. His subsequent movies were enjoyable fluff, but rarely captured the feeling of Connery or Moore's heydays. A great Bond in mediocre movies.

Now, just over 10 years later, Campbell is back to relaunch Bond again... this time with Daniel Craig in the 007 role. Craig's casting has been controversial amongst fans (just tale a look at Craignotbond.com), but this dislike has been primarily driven because he has a harsher look and doesn't fit the classic Bond mould. Craig's actual performances in Road To Perdition, Layer Cake, Sylvia and Munich should be proof enough that he's capable of combining the required suaveness with a savage edge. Personally, I think Craig will prove to be a real saviour for Bond. The recent trailer looked excellent, and any fan should be salivating at seeing one of author Ian Fleming's original novels brought to life for the hero's 21st outing.

Craig certainly has a lot to prove, but I think he's the man for the job. This recent interview with Esquire magazine certainly proves illuminating...