The reason for Daniel Craig being 'done' with 007 has finally been revealed by none other than the first Bond Girl to ever star with him, Caterina Murino.
Starring alongside Craig in his first James Bond movie Casino Royale, Murino claims the British actor felt the full weight of expectation from the moment they started filming.
The 38-year-old actress also said Craig, 48, showed incredible determination and professionalism and that's what made him the highest-grossing Bond star of all time - making £1.8 billion for the franchise in ten years.
Advert
In an interview with the Sunday People, she said: "It's not easy to go back time and time again. It can be tiring to keep trying to find new things in the same role.
"It's hugely stressful being Bond. There's a lot of money involved, so that also brought more tension - and a lot of that tension was on Daniel."
The pressure of being the 'perfect' Bond has meant Craig has decided to call it time on his portrayal of Britain's most famous spy. But Murino, a close friend of Bond producer Barbara Broccoli, also said she expects someone with 'a theatre background' to be selected as the next 007.
Advert
Murino, who played Solange in Casino Royale, said: "I can understand why Daniel would not want to return. Bringing back the same role again can be complicated.
"But I'm a huge fan of Tom's [Hiddleston] work. I believe Barbara will pick someone like that who has a theatre background."
Apparently Craig would spent 18 hours a day making sure each scene was absolutely perfect and after five movies, she fully empathises with his decision to not want to put himself through it again.
Advert
"I remember the scene where I arrive at the casino and my screen husband is about to move his playing card.
"We shot that same scene and played the same card over and over for two days straight.
"Then Daniel said, 'Don't put the camera on me any more, what else can I do, I don't know what to do any more.' So many people laughed - Daniel is a perfectionist, but he's also human."
Caterina Murino has just been named as the front girl for the new 007 fragrance, hence the revealing interview. At least now we know why Craig doesn't fancy it any more, even for an £80 million pay cheque.
Advert
For that sort of money, you could make me do almost anything.
Words by George Pavlou
Featured Image Credit:Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity, Daniel Craig, James Bond