No Difference Between Bond Blockbusters And Indie Films, Says Daniel Craig

What’s the difference in working on a mammoth James Bond production like Quantum of Solace and a British indie film such as Flashbacks of a Fool?

Not much, according to Daniel Craig.

In a new interview at Rotten Tomatoes, the 007 star discussed working on both films; Flashbacks of a Fool having just premiered this past week and Quantum of Solace due out in October/November.

‘I honestly think that on set there’s very little difference,’ Craig said. ‘On set there’s two cameras, maybe, the crew and if you’re shooting dialogue and scenes with actors it’s the same. The difference comes in when suddenly there are explosions and napalm going off everywhere. But actually the atmosphere is very similar.’

As noted previously, Craig’s debut as Bond in 2006’s Casino Royale has since helped the actor in getting smaller, independent films–like Flashbacks–made.

‘I’ve never, ever done films because I should do them, and if I have ever done that it’s usually been an unpleasant experience. I’ve only ever really enjoyed and liked films I’ve done because I’ve wanted to do them.’ – Daniel Craig

‘It’s been useful. Suddenly people are listening to me like I’ve got an opinion which is really disturbing!’ he said with a laugh. ‘I’ve kind-of got to have one! That’s quite nice in a way–sort-of facing up, championing something and believing in something. It’s a nice place to be. And, you know, I like [director and close friend] Baillie Walsh, I think he’s got a huge amount of talent, so saying to someone, “I like this guy,” is really very easy.’

Speaking specifically about Quantum of Solace, Craig said that despite the critical and commercial praise Casino Royale received, the pressure was still very much on.

‘I don’t think you can say there’s less pressure when you make a $200m movie–the pressure is plain to see. We’ve got to make it as good as if not better than the last one, that’s the only thing that matters. I’m no less nervous than I was but I’m very happy with what we’ve put together for this one. Marc Forster’s come on board and he’s taking care of a lot of things that I just don’t need to think about and I’m just getting on with it. I don’t know if I’ll ever feel comfortable with it. It’s James Bond, I don’t know if I’ll ever get to that place and get Zen about it–it’s not that kind of role. But I’m enjoying what we’ve shot of this and I’m planning to enjoy as much as I can of this filming process, because otherwise why do it?’

Working alongside Mathieu Amalric (villain Dominic Greene) has also been enjoyable for Craig. ‘I’m over the moon about it,’ he said. ‘We worked together very briefly on Munich, but I didn’t actually have any scenes with him on that. Now I’ve got to know him, and that Schnabel movie he’s just done is brilliant.’

As several fans have noticed, despite his enormous popularity as James Bond, Craig is keeping just as busy with several other films; Flashbacks being one example as well as The Golden Compass and the forthcoming Defiance and I, Lucifer.

Explaining how he chooses what projects to work on, Craig said: ‘Someone asked whether it was important to make a smaller movie after making a Bond movie, but I’ve never, ever done films because I should do them, and if I have ever done that it’s usually been an unpleasant experience. I’ve only ever really enjoyed and liked films I’ve done because I’ve wanted to do them. And that’s absolutely on an individual basis. Doing a film and saying, I’ve done a really dark film and now I have to do a comedy… That’s not me. If a script comes along and it’s dark I’ll absolutely do it and take the consequences. I’m not fussed about the image that goes along with it.’

Stay tuned to the CommanderBond.net main page for the most up-to-date and complete coverage of Quantum of Solace.