Daniel Craig offers VERY blunt three-word response to who he wants to play the next James Bond – after it was revealed casting delays could mean a five-year wait for the next film

Daniel Craig gave a very blunt three-word answer when asked who he wants to play in the next James Bond.

The former Bond actor, 56, played the iconic character in five films in the franchise, between 2006 and 2021.

And while the rumor mill is abuzz with speculation about who will take over for him, Daniel has made his feelings known about a new casting – albeit bluntly.

Variety Daniel and his Queer co-star Drew Starkey wondered on Thursday: “If you were to pass the James Bond torch, who would you like to see play him?”

The question prompted a laugh from the Knives Out star as he replied matter-of-factly, “I don’t care.”

The former Bond actor, 56, played the iconic character in five films in the franchise, between 2006 and 2021 (pictured in 2012’s Skyfall)

The comment comes after it was reported that fans will wait half a decade for a new 007 film to return to their screens.

The five-year delay is reportedly caused by ‘production and casting delays’ as the next spy has yet to be confirmed.

A year after the last No Time To Die release in September 2021, producer Barbara Broccoli said there would have to be a one-year wait before shooting the next film.

But much to the dismay of 007 fans, it will likely take much longer as filming still hasn’t started.

In June 2022, Barbara said: “There’s no script and we can’t come up with one until we decide how to approach the next film because it’s basically a reinvention of Bond.”

“We’re rediscovering who he is, and that takes time. I would say filming will take at least another two years.”

And that prescient deadline has now passed and not only has filming not yet begun, but the lead actor still hasn’t been cast.

That’s what a film insider said the mirror: ‘The best-case scenario is a new Bond film in cinemas by the end of 2026 – that’s five years after No Time To Die – and that’s if things shake up quickly,’

As the rumor mill buzzes with speculation about who will take over from him, Daniel has made his feelings known about a new casting – albeit bluntly (pictured in September)

Variety asked Daniel and his Queer co-star Drew Starkey on Thursday, “If you were to pass the James Bond torch, who would you like to see play him?” (Pictured in 2006’s Casino Royale)

While another source told the publication that there were rumors of script issues and delays.

Daniel hung up his bow tie and tuxedo three years ago and has since taken on more experimental roles, ranging from a funny camp sleuth with a Southern accent to a man who falls in love with a drug addict in 1940s Mexico City.

The English actor also seems to be losing the stern and meticulous look that comes with playing the macho secret agent, and blossoming into flashy fashion choices, most recently marked by his grown-out hairstyle at the Venice Film Festival.

Elsewhere, more recently, style outlets celebrated the star’s ‘freaky’ era after he debuted in LOEWE’s FW24 campaign, looking almost unrecognizable in his yellow-tinted glasses, knitted sweaters and trousers with intricate beading.

Daniel’s first post-Bond venture came in the form of Rhian Johnson’s Knives Out (2019), where he played an amateur sleuth with a very camp dress sense and an exaggerated New Orleans-esque accent.

Speaking to the Los Angeles TimesDaniel explained that it was important to him to “kill off” Bond so he could move on artistically — which is why he was grateful for the character’s fatal ending in 2021’s No Time to Die.

Daniel hung up his bow tie and tuxedo three years ago and has since gravitated towards more experimental roles (pictured in Casino Royale)

His latest role (left) is a little more heartfelt and fiery, as he plays an American expat in 1940s Mexico City – who becomes entranced by a young man played by Drew Starkey, 30 (right)

“One of them, for the franchise, was that reset, starting over, what [the franchise] has done to me,” he revealed.

“So let’s kill off my character and find another Bond and find another story. Start at [age] 23, start at 25, start at 30.

“The other was so I could move on. I don’t want to go back. I suppose I would be so lucky if they asked me back, but the fact is I have to get rid of it.

“The sacrifice he makes in the film was for love and there is no greater sacrifice. So we thought it would be a good idea to end with it.”