Daniel Craig is Finished as James Bond, Says Mark Strong

After some speculation last week that Daniel Craig had played iconic superspy James Bond for the final time, we now have word from a source close to the actor that seemingly confirms those rumors.

Actor Mark Strong (Kick-Ass, Kingsman: The Secret Service, Green Lantern) is apparently good friends with Craig, and in an interview with Shortlist in which Strong was asked about playing a Bond villain, he dropped the big news:

“Do you know what, I’d have loved to have played the villain in a Bond movie while Daniel was doing it because he’s a pal and that would have been great. But I think he’s come to the end of his Bond time and so it’s probably never going to happen, but that would have always been great. Having played so many villains, it would have been wonderful to have done the villain of villains, if you like. Because a Bond villain has a status all of his own.”

Craig still has one film left on his contract, but it wouldn't be unprecedented for the studio to fire him or buy him out of his deal. When Strong was asked if he could talk Craig into one final outing as Bond, he said it was unlikely and responded:

“Well, I will try, believe me, I will do my best. But there are powers at work greater than us who make all these decisions.”

That sounds like the decision might have originated from the studio, but when he wrapped up, he made it seem more like it was Craig's call to walk away:

"I think he feels like he’s mined it. He’s done what he wants with it. That point has come.”

Now, keep in mind that this isn't coming directly from Craig himself or the studio, so at this point we still have to consider it unofficial. But it certainly sounds like Spectre will be the last time we see Craig suit up as 007.