James Bond revelation: What Catherine Zeta Jones really thought of Daniel Craig as 007

‘No Time to Die’, the hotly anticipated latest 007 film, is expected to appear in cinemas early this year. With four James Bond films under his belt already, Craig is reportedly going to step aside after this film and let a ninth special agent take over in the franchise. James Bond arguably put Craig on the map in 2006.

While he had an extensive acting career before, being 007 made him a household name who has since been in many A-lister films, such as 2019 ‘Knives Out’ and 2007 ’The Golden Compass’.

His old colleague Catherine Zeta Jones, a fellow Hollywood actor, revealed what she thought when he was first cast in the iconic role.

Speaking to The Telegraph in 2005, she said: ‘Daniel and I worked together years ago on The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and he’s a fine actor and I’m thrilled for him.

“James Bond has a licence to kill and Daniel has that kind of intensity. I think he’s a great choice.”

The actors both featured in a photograph series too, shot before they reached the dizzying heights of fame by John Stoddart in 2004.

The series made the photographer famous for snapping celebrities before they stepped into the spotlight.

The portraits were then sold online and some were expected to be priced at £1,000.

However, Craig has “come to the end of his Bond time”, according to his friend Mark Strong.

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The first female 00 agent will be making an appearance in the upcoming ’No Time to Die’ with Lashana Lynch instead.

This first for the franchise comes as a former James Bond has recently come under fire for “sexist” comments.

George Lazenby, who played the secret agent in 1969’s ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’, said it was clear today’s society is no longer a man’s world in a new interview with the Daly Mail.

He explained: “You just have to look at the newscasts – 75 percent of the people are women and before it was 10 percent, so women have taken over.