From Russia with Love (1963) – Sean Connery.Daniel Craig is widely considered the closest Bond to Ian Fleming’s vision (Photo: AP) James Bond films list – in fullĮon has now released 25 James Bond films: He has been praised for stripping away much of Bond’s charm and bringing the character closer to Fleming’s more ruthless, unsympathetic vision.Ĭraig had his breakthrough in the BBC drama Our Friends in the North and has appeared in a wide array of films, from Munich, Road to Perdition and Layer Cake to more eccentric outings in Logan Lucky and Knives Out. While he wasn’t a universally popular choice for the role, Daniel Craig has drawn consistent critical acclaim in his five films spanning 15 years. Pierce Brosnan had been considered for years before taking the role (Photo: Getty Images/Moviepix) Daniel Craig (2006-2021) The Irish actor has appeared in everything from thrillers like The Fourth Protocol and The Ghost Writer to Mrs Doubtfire and the all-conquering Mamma Mia films. His version of 007 brought back some of the suaveness eschewed by Dalton, while featuring some touches that brought him towards the 21st century – his was the first Bond not to smoke (notwithstanding a cigar in Die Another Day). Pierce Brosnan has been considered as a replacement for Moore, but got his chance with GoldenEye in 1995 and portrayed Bond in four films. Timothy Dalton was the final 007 to smoke prodigiously (Photo: Getty Images/Moviepix) Pierce Brosnan (1995-2002) However, he is well-regarded by many for bringing an edge to the role lacking during Moore’s years, his harder-nosed potrayal drawing parallels with Daniel Craig.ĭalton has also appeared in such films as Flash Gordon, The Rocketeer and Hot Fuzz, as well as voicing Mr Pricklepants in the Toy Story franchise. Roger Moore was possibly the most debonair Bond (Photo: Getty Images/Moviepix) Timothy Dalton (1986-1989)ĭespite signing to play Bond for six years, litigation over the franchise’s licensing limited Timothy Dalton’s tenure to just two films: The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.
Roger Moore appeared in more of the Eon-produced films than other Bond actor, and was known for being perhaps the most debonair and overtly sophisticated Bond.īy the time of his departure he had become the oldest actor to play the role, later joking that he was “only about four hundred years too old for the part”.Īfter taking a five-year break from the screen, Moore continued to appear in films and TV until he died in 2017. George Lazenby’s time as Bond was brief and divisive (Photo: Getty Images) Roger Moore (1973-1985) Opinion was divided on Lazenby’s performance as Bond, and while his film career extended into 1970s he eventually moved into business and real estate investment. The other actor with a solitary appearance as 007 is George Lazenby, who played Bond in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969 but was replaced by Connery for Diamonds Are Forever.Īt just 29 he was the youngest star to take the part, and the Australian former model had only performed in commercials up to that point.
David Niven made a solitary, ‘unofficial’ appearance as Bond (Photo: Corbis/Getty) George Lazenby (1969) The storyline is elegant, and Craig portrays a rather mirthless Bond struggling with his personal demons as well as real-life villains.The suave Oscar winner starred in such films as Seperate Tables, A Matter of Life and Death and Around the World in 80 Days – he passed away in 1983. Two years later, Craig returned to the screen for Quantum of Solace. The film featured far fewer special effects than its predecessor, and also does without the usual bells and whistles typically provided by weapons expert Q in the movies.
Even the role of Bond's superior, M, was given for the first time to a woman - Judy Dench. This blond and chest-hair-free Bond didn't quite fit the image many associated with the character's previous avatars famously played by actors Sean Connery and Roger Moore.
Bond was nursing a broken heart, and his past was suddenly an issue in the film. His portrayal of the secret agent invented by author Ian Fleming caused astonishment. In an interview with Time Out magazine London in 2015, Daniel Craig said that he would rather slit his wrists than play James Bond again.Ī few negotiations and a handsome paycheck later, the actor changed his mind and accepted to portray Agent 007 for the fifth and final time in No Time To Die.Ĭraig first played Bond in Casino Royale in 2006.