Available on Netflix: Unnoticed at the time of its release, this film allowed Daniel Craig to become James Bond

Available on Netflix: Unnoticed at the time of its release, this film allowed Daniel Craig to become James Bond



Before Casino Royalethere have been Layer Cake

Daniel Craig saw his career explode in 2006 with Casino Royale. The actor then became the new face of James Bondsucceeding Pierce Brosnan. But if someone discovered it with this film, Daniel Craig had been playing roles (more or less important) for more than ten years. Among other things, he appeared in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) alongside Angelina Jolie. The feature film based on the video game series also has a risky connection with James Bond. Another important film for Daniel Craig before becoming Agent 007 was Layer Cake (2004).

Matthew Vaughn’s (Kingsman saga) directorial debut is a “little” gangster movie in which Daniel Craig plays a man who deals drugs with a small team and who wants to retire. But first he must find the daughter of a powerful criminal named Eddie Temple and avoid the numerous traps set by the mafia.

It’s a very nice thriller, well-paced and with a good dose of lightness, proposed by Matthew Vaughn for his directorial debut. Layer Cake was not a great success, grossing about 12 million dollars at the worldwide box office and grossing only 20,958 registrations in France. Still enough to cover the costs. It is only over the years that the feature film has acquired cult film status being rediscovered by the public. This is largely due to the choice of Daniel Craig to play James Bond. Something that perhaps would not have been possible without Layer Cake.

Already a James Bond look for Daniel Craig

In fact, several actors had been considered to play James Bond. Casino Royale. Like Henry Cavill, who was director Martin Campbell’s first choice. Barbara Broccoli however vetoed it because she thought the actor was too young. Then they discussed Daniel Craig, who Martin Campbell didn’t think was handsome enough. It took them several more days to think about the actor. It was during this period who was watching Layer Cakeand reconsidered his decision, as he explained The Espresso in 2012.

None of us were 100% sure about the casting. I needed a few days to think about it. That weekend I saw Layer Cake and Daniel Craig had so much charm that I was convinced he had to get the role.

Daniel Craig - Layer Cake
Daniel Craig – Layer Cake

In addition to the charm of Daniel Craig in Layer Cakewe can imagine that one scene in particular helped Martin Campbell visualize the actor as James Bond. A sequence in which his character tests out various weapons before grabbing a Luger P08 Artillery and play the role of a secret agent (picture above)The scene is 41 minutes long and you can watch it again on Netflix.

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Source: Cine Serie

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