Bond actor Daniel Craig, 56, has revealed the production of Quantum of Solace was a “f****ing nightmare”.
The 2008 film, Craig’s second outing as 007, failed to impress critics.
Craig describes Quantum of Solace as a “difficult second album” – following on from his hugely successful debut as Bond in 2006’s Casino Royale.
Less charitably, the 56-year-old also called his time on director Marc Forster’s film as a “f****ing nightmare” while speaking with The Hollywood Reporter.
“There are some amazing stunt sequences in it but it just didn’t quite work,” he added.
Despite achieving similar box office success to Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace was generally disliked by critics.
Craig starred in the panned 2008’s Quantum of Solace
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Craig blamed the film’s issues on beginningfilming without a finalised script, reflecting that: ‘We should never have started production.”
“The storytelling wasn’t there,” he conceded.
The Knives Out star then revealed that situation was so bad he: “Ended up writing a lot of that film, which I probably shouldn’t say.”
The lack of script was down to beginning of the 2007-08 Writers Guild of America strike, which saw a number of major Hollywood productions and TV series struggling to cobble together scripts.
Craig blames the film’s issues on the lack of a script
Sony Pictures Entertainment
Craig revealed screenwriter Paul Haggis “did a pass” on what script Quantum of Solace did have but: “’He went off and joined the picket line and we didn’t have writers.”
“That’s a lesson — starting a movie without a script is not a good idea,” the former Bond actor laughed.
Despite Quantum of Solace’s failure, Craig would star in a further three Bond films – with Skyfall seen by critics as a triumphant return to form.
The 56-year-old quit the series after 2021’s No Time To Die leading to intense speculation over who will replace him in the iconic role since.
Craig admitted he “didn’t care” who will succeed him in the bowtie and tux while the press tour for his new film Queer.
Despite the former star’s grouchiness, a number of names have emerged as leading candidates to land the role.
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Bond hopefuls Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Theo James
PA
Bullet Train actor Aaron Taylor Johnson has 11/10 odds of succeeding Craig, according to Gambling.com.
Taylor-Johnson was rumoured to have been “offered” the role last year until producers Eon Productions and Amazon MGM poured cold water on the rumours by saying no decision had been made.
Second favourite, The Gentleman’s Theo James has seen his chances shoot up recently – with his odds shortening to 5/2 from 12/1.
Gladiator 2 star Paul Mescal is gaining ground as well, with a 4/1 chance of taking his vodka martinis shaken not stirred in future.