Before becoming famous as James Bond, Daniel Craig appeared in a highly-rated crime thriller from the early 2000s, and it’s currently available to watch for free. While Craig is considered by many to be a fantastic Bond, Tom Hardy is a popular choice among fans to play the role next. Interestingly, both actors worked with director Matthew Vaughn (known for Kick-Ass) on this thrilling crime film – a movie many consider even better than Guy Ritchie’s Snatch. If you didn’t realize Craig and Hardy had a project together before their big breaks (beyond brief appearances in Star Wars), now’s a great time to discover it, as it’s free to stream.
Beyond being a standout crime thriller from the 2000s, Layer Cake doesn’t get the attention it deserves. While it has a dedicated following, it’s often overshadowed by films like Snatch and the James Bond series when it comes to crime and thriller fans. The movie boasts an impressive cast alongside Daniel Craig and Tom Hardy, including Sienna Miller, the late Michael Gambon, Ben Whishaw, Sally Hawkins, Colm Meaney, and Dexter Fletcher – a remarkable amount of talent for a single film, especially one currently available to stream for free on Pluto TV.
Though often seen as Daniel Craig’s stepping stone to James Bond, Layer Cake is quite different from the Bond films, aside from its violent content. Craig plays a nameless drug dealer, referred to only as XXXX, who wants to leave the criminal life. However, his retirement plans are threatened when he’s compelled to both rescue the daughter of a wealthy businessman and recover £2 million worth of missing drugs.
‘Layer Cake’ Is the Definition of a Cult-Classic
Layer Cake is a film that unexpectedly delivers everything you didn’t realize you were missing. Released in a limited capacity in 2004, it was made on a surprisingly small budget of $4 million—a fraction of what most films cost today. Despite this, it earned $11.85 million worldwide, primarily in the UK.
Despite not being widely released at first, Layer Cake quickly gained a dedicated fanbase, fueled by positive reviews from critics. It currently has an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on reviews from both its original release and more recently. Audiences agree, giving the film an 84% rating on the same site.
Will Tom Hardy Ever Play James Bond?
Paramount+
Everyone often talks about how the movie Layer Cake helped Daniel Craig land the role of James Bond – and we mentioned that ourselves earlier. But the next 007 could also star another familiar face. Along with Henry Cavill, Tom Hardy is a popular choice among fans. The upcoming film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, now under the Amazon MGM Studios banner, and written by Stephen Knight, known for Peaky Blinders. Villeneuve has stated it will be some time before the new Bond is announced. However, recent reports suggest Callum Turner is currently the leading candidate for the role.
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2026-03-04 22:17