Daniel Craig returning as James Bond is a “dream come true” for the franchise’s producer Barbara Broccoli.
The actor has delighted fans in his decade as the British superspy, but looked set to quit after the last instalment, 2015’s Spectre.
However last month (Aug17) he confirmed he would return to play 007 for the fifth time in 2019.
Speaking to HeyUGuys.com at the Toronto International Film Festival premiere of her new movie Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool, Barbara struggled to conceal her delight at Daniel’s return.
“I’m just so happy that Daniel’s back it’s been a dream come true,” she said.
Barbara and her half-brother Michael G. Wilson took charge of the Bond franchise in 1995 from her father Albert R. ‘Cubby’ Broccoli, who handed them control of his company Eon productions.
Albert produced the first Bond movie, 1962’s Dr. No and over more than five decades the franchise has grown into one of Hollywood’s most lucrative, as the past two installments Skyfall and Spectre made a combined $2 billion in cinemas.
Asked why James Bond was still so successful, Barbara explained, “He does what he does for Queen and Country, he always tries to do the right thing. He doesn’t do it for his own personal ambition or fame, he just is a genuine hero and I think that’s why he’s survived all these years.”
Barbara also gave credit to those who had worked on the films over the years adding, “We’ve had such incredible people making the films with us and such wonderful actors.”
Although Daniel is returning, Sam Mendes, who directed Skyfall and Spectre is not, and in an interview with ScreenDaily.com, Barbara hinted she would consider hiring the franchise’s first female director.
“It’s incredibly important to support change in front of and behind the camera,” she said. “I love working with women. It’s a different vibe.”
