Daniel Craig Reflects on Bond, Masculinity, and Embracing Vulnerability in New Role

Daniel Craig has shared his reservations about portraying James Bond, particularly concerning societal views of masculinity. In a recent Q&A with The New Yorker, the actor reflected on his 15-year journey as the iconic MI6 agent, explaining that the "construct of masculinity" was one of his biggest hesitations when taking on the role.

“It was often very laughable, but you can’t mock it and expect it to work. You have to buy into it,” Craig said while promoting his latest project, Queer.

Craig, who starred as Bond in five films starting with Casino Royale (2006) and concluding with No Time to Die (2021), has moved on to a range of diverse roles, including the Knives Out series and the new romantic drama Queer. The actor revealed he feels “suddenly kind of free” to explore new projects now that his Bond chapter has ended.

In Queer, directed by Luca Guadagnino, Craig portrays Lee, an American expatriate in 1950s Mexico City navigating a solitary life while pursuing a younger man, played by Drew Starkey. The film, based on William S. Burroughs' novella, allowed Craig to delve into themes of vulnerability, something he finds deeply compelling.

“The vulnerability of human beings is always interesting to me,” he said, contrasting this with the “artificial” nature of traditional masculinity. Craig noted that societal expectations around how men should behave often limit the exploration of genuine emotions, both on-screen and off.

Reflecting on his evolution since taking on Bond, Craig acknowledged, “When I took it on I was one person. I’m now a completely different person.” While grateful for his time as 007, he expressed no regrets about leaving the role behind, emphasizing his excitement for new creative challenges.