Daniel Craig Ruddy-faced, craggily
handsome and blond, Daniel Craig had to learn the hard way that James Bond fans
are real fans, as in fanatics. When the gifted English actor, so impressive in
"Sylvia," "Enduring Love," "Layer Cake" and "Munich," was announced as the new 007, ... morefans and the tabloids
went on a full-scale Daniel Craig hate-fest, pummeling him over his looks, his
background and his inability to drive a stick shift. But the haters were proved
wrong when the action-packed, intelligent and tough "Casino Royale" (directed by Martin Campbell) hit theaters and was one of the best
pictures of 2006 and, on top of that, easily one of the top five greatest Bond
films. With the newest Bond picture "Quantum of Solace" (helmed by, of all people, Marc Forster of "Finding Neverland" fame) finally upon us and the
potentially great "Defiance" opening in December, Craig continues to do it (as
Carly Simon sang) "better." (Michael Melia/Retna
Pictures/Retna Ltd.)Close