Daniel Craig admits he would have felt ‘very self-conscious’ if he starred in Queer and Bond at the same time

Daniel Craig admits he would have felt 'very self-conscious' if he starred in Queer and Bond at the same time

As a fervent admirer of Daniel Craig, I have been enthralled by his illustrious career and the transformative roles he has taken on throughout the years. His latest venture, starring in “Queer,” is an intriguing departure from the world of 007 that showcases his versatility as an actor.

As a die-hard enthusiast, I can’t help but share my thoughts on the matter. You see, when it comes to Daniel Craig and his iconic roles as James Bond and the character in Queer, let me clarify that he wouldn’t have dared to take on both parts simultaneously. The reason being, he wanted to avoid any misconceptions that he was overreaching or striving excessively to prove himself as an actor.

In the movie titled “Queer,” the renowned 007 figure, aged 56, takes on the lead role. This film narrates the story of American expat and war veteran William Lee, portrayed by Craig, who develops a romantic relationship with a younger man named Eugene Allerton, played by Drew Starkey.

After appearing as fictional spy James Bond in five films, Daniel confessed that he might have felt quite uncomfortable or awkward if he had acted in a movie titled “Queer” alongside his character, James Bond.

On this Friday’s episode of The Graham Norton Show, Daniel mentions that he wouldn’t have been able to do [the thing he is talking about] while he was playing Bond.

I didn’t want to do it mainly because I would have felt quite uncomfortable, fearing that others might perceive me as overly eager or trying too hard to act well.

Regarding his performance in the heartfelt gay tale that earned him a Golden Globe nomination, he humbly admits: “Although I claimed to have read William S. Burroughs’ ‘Junkie,’ I had actually only feigned understanding it. I was unaware of the storyline behind ‘Naked Lunch’ as well.

Daniel Craig admits he would have felt 'very self-conscious' if he starred in Queer and Bond at the same time

Daniel Craig admits he would have felt 'very self-conscious' if he starred in Queer and Bond at the same time
Daniel Craig admits he would have felt 'very self-conscious' if he starred in Queer and Bond at the same time

The film portrays an adventure reminiscent of Burroughs’ life, which was often characterized by drug use.

‘It is all slightly off kilter with a modern soundtrack and the feel of a movie from the 1940s.

‘It blurs the lines around homosexuality which was illegal at the time. 

In simpler terms, you might say, “It seems you needed to present as a man while hiding your true identity, without much room for self-expression, and I’ve always found the constructed nature of masculinity intriguing.

In the highly anticipated film by Luca Guadagnino, based on William Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical novella of the same title, Queer will be sharing the screen with Drew, who is 31 years old.

In the 1950s-era romantic film, taking place in Mexico City, we see the story of William Lee, an American expat and war veteran, portrayed by Craig. His life takes an unexpected turn when he embarks on a passionate relationship with Eugene Allerton, a younger man and former Navy serviceman struggling with drug addiction, played by Starkey.

After Daniel shared that he felt drained, both physically and emotionally, following the completion of every James Bond film.

He starred in five Bond films between 2006 and 2021, and Daniel has now admitted that the money-spinning movies took a physical and emotional toll on him.

Daniel Craig admits he would have felt 'very self-conscious' if he starred in Queer and Bond at the same time
Daniel Craig admits he would have felt 'very self-conscious' if he starred in Queer and Bond at the same time
Daniel Craig admits he would have felt 'very self-conscious' if he starred in Queer and Bond at the same time
Daniel Craig admits he would have felt 'very self-conscious' if he starred in Queer and Bond at the same time
Daniel Craig admits he would have felt 'very self-conscious' if he starred in Queer and Bond at the same time
Daniel Craig admits he would have felt 'very self-conscious' if he starred in Queer and Bond at the same time

Looking back at his time as Bond, he expressed to The Sunday Times last weekend that during those years, he wouldn’t have been able to take on a role like ‘Queer’. He felt it might appear backward or as if he were trying to demonstrate versatility in his roles.

Initially, I believed I needed to engage in additional tasks alongside Bond, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, I was rising to prominence, though I wasn’t entirely sure what that entailed, and filmmakers were eager to have me in their productions. Remarkable, indeed!

‘Actors often find themselves unemployed for extended periods. However, when job opportunities come my way, they seem unfulfilling. In the end, though, I still accepted the paycheck.’

After wrapping up a demanding project (Bond), I felt utterly drained and needed approximately half a year to recuperate emotionally. Regardless of my circumstances, I’ve always prioritized life above all else. When work temporarily took precedence over life for an extended period, it left me feeling depleted.

Daniel continues to hold a deep affection for the James Bond series, and he’s eagerly waiting to discover where producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson plan to steer it in the future.

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to express that the choice of the next Bond isn’t mine to make or concern myself with. However, I can only wish those making the decision all the best of luck.

The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 13th December 10.40pm. Also available on BBC iPlayer.

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2024-12-13 19:03

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