10 questions with Daniel Craig on `Quantum of Solace`
02-Jul-2008 • Quantum Of Solace
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1. How has becoming the world's most famous spy changed your life?
The truth is, when you make a big decision in life, you know your life is going to change. But it kind of doesn't. You don't emotionally change. And my life hasn't changed, not in my mind. The physical aspects have changed, sure. I have to do things differently, I have to fight for my privacy, and there's a huge amount of bonuses. But I'm still the same person I was six-and-a-half minutes ago.
2. Does 'Solace' really have twice as many stunts as 'Casino Royale'?
Three times as many. Four times as many! We shot a scene where we're doing this body flight thing, where we're freefalling, and we had to film that within a wind tunnel. I also shot a two-day fight sequence we'd been rehearsing for about three months. That was just physically very hard, because it was just getting hit, basically. But I'm still walking.
3. How do you cope with knowing you're going to be pummeled every day of shooting?
I try to keep my mind as open as possible, because every day presents a new challenge. If I try to plan it in my head, it all goes wrong. But it's all been going pretty well, touch wood.
4. Could you relax a little after 'Casino Royale' performed so well?
That's been good, but obviously it brings up other problems. We were commercially a huge success last time, which puts a lot of pressure on this movie. We have to apply the method we used last time, which is to make the best movie we can, and that's where we're at ... hopefully. It's difficult. But I know from what we've got, this movie is going to be something else.
5. 'Quantum Of Solace' is the first direct sequel in Bond history. How was the decision made to start it where 'Casino Royale' ends?
We hit a mark at the end of the last movie, and the decision was made very early on we should continue that feeling. Bond has had the love of his life taken away from him, and [she] was not what she seemed ... She ripped him apart. And there's a sense of vengeance in him. But it's not what it seems. And we're using that as a springboard for this movie. He's out to get 'em.
6. We hear you got engaged to your longtime girlfriend Satsuki Mitchell on the set?
Getting engaged is a very important thing in someone's life. And honestly, you would be the last to know. That would be the simple fact of it. I would never make an official announcement because I'm not a member of the royal family and I don't have to.
7. On stage, you've appeared in 'Angels in America' and 'Hurlyburly.' Got an itch to hit the floorboards again?
I'd love to. My ideal would be to choose some new writing. I have nothing against the classics, but new writing to me seems like it gives you a chance to try new stuff out, stuff no one's ever seen before. I think that makes for a much more exciting theater experience. I'm constantly looking for stuff.
8. You've earned a reputation as the most physical Bond ever. Is that a hard rep to live up to?
Actually, at the end of this movie, there's a scene we're filming where I'm fat, because I want to get rid of that reputation. Really, I'm just keeping in shape so that if I do have an injury, I can recover quickly. Anyway, I'm going from stunt sequence to stunt sequence, and it's great fun to do. But it's not very Bond-like. Bond used to do 10 push-ups, then smoke 60 cigarettes and drink a bottle of something and then pop a pill. That kept him going.
9. Care to spill the beans on your rumored nude scene?
There's a little nudity. It might not be full nudity. From the ankles down, I think.
10. Producer Michael G. Wilson says he wants to take a break from Bond for a while after 'Solace.' How about you?
We're in no hurry to make the next one just yet. But if something comes up and we get a crazy script, by which I mean a great script, then there would be no reason not to. But right at this moment, thinking about making another is not really in the cards. We're only halfway through this one.
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