Blond James Bond
When Daniel Craig was first announced as the new 007, there was a lot of backlash from fans who felt he didn't fit the mold of what a James Bond actor should be. They considered Craig too blonde, short, and unrefined to fit the role. All previous Bond actors were dark-haired, at least 6'1, while Craig was blond and 5'10.
But Craig didn't let the criticism get to him; he threw himself into the role and worked tirelessly to perfect his physique, accent, and acting skills. He even did many of his stunts.
And it paid off. Craig's first Bond film, Casino Royale, was a critical and commercial success. He was praised for his gritty, intense portrayal of the iconic spy and quickly became a fan favorite. He starred in four more Bond films, nearly grossing 4 billion dollars globally. As a result, his legacy as one of the greatest Bonds of all time is secure, and his fans will never forget him as the man who made 007 his own.
Social Media
Daniel Craig reflected on that whole "Blond Bond" casting controversy 15 years and 5 movies later in our #NoTimeToDie interview.
— Kevin Polowy (@djkevlar) October 7, 2021
"Of course I was bothered by it. But there was nothing I could really do... Control the things you can control." pic.twitter.com/LzvYlBDgNh
Quotes
It was unbelievably negative, I have to say,...The press response was awful and I felt so sorry for him, but in a funny kind of a way I think it almost spurred him on to do his damndest to prove everybody wrong.
Debbie McWilliams
Of course I was bothered by it, ...But there was nothing I could really do. It’s like [the saying goes], ‘Control the things that you can control.’ All I could do was make a good movie, or attempt to make a good movie and say, ‘There you go.’ And if they didn’t like it, then I don’t know, that’s all I had to give.
Daniel Craig
References
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Box Office Mojo
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James Bond Casting Director: Younger Actors Have Lacked the ‘Gravitas’ and ‘Mental Capacity’ to Play 007
The team settled on Craig, who was in his 30s at the time. The decision did not receive unanimous praise. As McWilliams told Entertainment Weekly back in 2021, she “felt sorry” for Craig after his casting led to extreme blowback from press who thought Craig didn’t fit the part of Bond.
Variety
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Daniel Craig reflects on 'Blond Bond' casting controversy as 'Casino Royale' turns 15: 'Of course I was bothered by it'
“Blond Bond,” in fact, became one of social media’s first major outrage overloads. It didn’t last long. Critics and fans alike fell for the bruising and requisitely suave stylings of Craig (not to mention a well-traveled shirtless scene) in Casino Royale.
Yahoo
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Daniel Craig Didn't Think He'd Be Cast as James Bond: 'I Was Just Amongst the Mix'
Reflecting on his audition for Bond, Craig told the Times he "assumed he'd been invited to audition as cannon fodder, to make it easier to choose someone else for the part." He had been brought in to audition following the exit of Pierce Brosnan, who had played Bond in four films from 1995-2002.
People
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Blond, James Blond
But others have attacked Craig for things ranging from his acting choices (he played murderer Perry Smith of "In Cold Blood" fame in this year's "Infamous" and has a scene where he kisses Truman Capote) to his looks. He's the first Bond to have blond hair, for example.
CNN
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Daniel Craig confirmed as 006th screen Bond
Ending more than a year of speculation, actor Daniel Craig was finally unveiled as the sixth cinematic James Bond today on a Royal Marine speedboat on the Thames, promising to bring a grittier edge to the iconic role.
Reddit
