`The Insider` reports from the set of Casino Royale

28-May-2006 • Casino Royale

DANIEL CRAIG has some tall, dark and handsome shoulders to fill as the new James Bond, but he's running and gunning like SEAN CONNERY, PIERCE BROSNAN and the best of them on the Prague set of 'Casino Royale' - reports The Insider.

"Each day brings something new, whether or not we're hanging 150 feet up from a crane or we're doing a scene in a lobby of a hotel," the 38-year-old British actor tells "The Insider" between takes on the European set. "I'm incredibly positive. I think we're making a great movie here."

Daniel ('Lara Croft: Tomb Raider') has come under fire for not fitting the steely, dark-haired Bond mold, but, even after getting hate mail and having two teeth knocked out by stuntmen in a fight scene, he still seems more than ready to take a punch.

"Who said that I couldn't do my own stunts? I'd like to know," he jokes. As for the fans' response, he says, "I knew that was going to happen. You roll with it."

Of course, it helps that he has the backing of several former Bonds, including Pierce.

"I've met Pierce on a number of occasions, we've had a few drinks, and he's been incredibly encouraging. I think his words were, 'Go for it.'"

'Casino Royale,' opening Nov. 17, is actually an update of the 1953 novel, now set post-9/11, and a prequel to the whole series. It shows British naval commander turned MI6 agent James Bond on his first assignment and how he makes his first kills, earning his 007 status. Tailing an ex-Soviet state assassin leads him to a massive stock fraud and a famous gambling resort in the Bahamas.

"We're discovering him and he's got rough edges," Daniel says. "We see him becoming the man we love to hate."

Joining him on the film are Dame JUDI DENCH as the British spy head "M," Danish-born actor MADS MIKKELSEN as villain Le Chiffre and French actress EVA GREEN ('Kingdom of Heaven') as Bond Girl Vesper Lynd.

"A lot of Bond girls are sexy and unreal, but Vesper is more realistic and more human," Eva says from the set. "I had a chance to read the script before the screen test and I really fell in love with the character."

His other foxy co-star is a brand-new Aston Martin DBS sportscar.

"We've got the only two DBS' in existence sitting outside," he says. "They're beautiful; they're incredible cars."

Thanks to `leontheprofessional` for the alert.