Daniel Craig and the cast of 'No Time to Die' reflect on his final 'Bond' film

Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, and and the cast of No Time to Die reflect on his final film as James Bond. The cast also discusses how Bond is no longer a swinger, and is less promiscuous.

Video Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING]

JAMES BOND: We used to be able to get into a room with the enemy. Now they're just floating in the ether.

ERNST STAVRO BLOFELD: When her secret finds its way out, it'll be the death of you.

[CRASH]

KEVIN POLOWY: What incredible work you've done through five highly-entertaining James Bond adventures now. "No Time To Die" is, of course, your swan song. How bittersweet was this role to say goodbye to?

DANIEL CRAIG: Listen, I'm just really happy I did, 'cause for a while, I didn't think I was gonna make a fifth one. But the story we got-- we had in our head, and all of these things came together. I had some rest. I'm just tremendously proud. I'm tremendously proud of all of the films we collectively have made, 'cause you can imagine it's a pretty-- it's a pretty big effort from a lot of people, very, very talented people.

KEVIN POLOWY: So it sounds like the-- when you had those reservations about coming back for a fifth time, it was ultimately the story that they presented to you?

DANIEL CRAIG: It's always a conversation. But we sat down, and we started talking about it and started thinking, well, what can we do and how can we-- you know, where can we take it? I was very excited by the idea of all the things we wanted to put into it. And I felt like we had unsaid business. There's a narrative that goes through the whole of these films. And I felt like we hadn't sort of tied up loose ends, and we needed to.

KEVIN POLOWY: How would you describe Daniel's mood or vibe throughout filming? I mean, did you get the sense that this was, you know, bittersweet for him, wrapping up this journey?

CARY JOJI FUKUNAGA: Yeah. I think, you know, you could imagine some people, especially after five films in 15 years, kind of just being like, let's just get it over with, you know, which is, you know, cashing a check and make a movie. And that's not his attitude at all, you know. This is a guy that is, like, the first to arrive and the last to leave. That's his mentality. And even when he was injured, for example, with his ankle, he was there every day, outside of physical therapy. He was there every day, reading the script, you know, talking to us about what we're doing, you know, talking about future stunt sequences coming up, just making sure he was a hundred-percent involved, and never checked out.

KEVIN POLOWY: A lot of the early reactions to this film are calling it one of the most emotional Bond movies there's been. Was it emotional for you guys on set, you know, especially when this came to being Daniel's swan song as Bond?

LEA SEYDOUX: Oh, yeah, it was very emotional, extremely emotional. And the story is very emotional, but also the fact that it was Daniel's last film, it's been such an incredible experience.

BILLY MAGNUSSEN: To be a part of Bond is an absolute honor, and I feel so privileged and lucky. And I just have complete gratitude for being welcomed into this-- this legacy. It's truly a humbling experience.

JEFFREY WRIGHT: Daniel's a, you know, super-down-to-Earth, you know, grounded actor. And, you know, we had worked together on a film, prior to him being cast as Bond. When he was cast, we were doing a film. We were in Baltimore together, so we kind of came into this thing together, so it felt really organic. It's been wonderful to see him grow into this.

LASHANA LYNCH: There was at the beginning, because the first day on set for me was Jamaica, in that scene in the trailer, where they're basically having a stand-off, if you like. And there is a moment when you're just, as Lashana, watching Daniel. I'm not really acting. I actually remember just forgetting my lines a couple of times and just staring at him, because he was just giving so much, like first scene of the day, 8:30 AM, boom, straight-in giving. So there's not so much a pressure. It was more just collecting yourself, and separating the fan in you, and becoming the actor, and really stepping into those shoes, and telling the story, and being in it.

KEVIN POLOWY: Do you feel the weight of those moments a little bit more when playing opposite James Bond, and especially in Daniel Craig's swan song?

RAMI MALEK: Yeah, you know, of course, you feel the weight of it. But at the same time, if you start to really live in that too much or let that, it weighs you down and it'll compromise your performance. So for me, I thought, listen. Treat it like the responsibility-- give it the responsibility it deserves, but try not to get so intimidated. He's an intimidating force as Bond because he's lived in that character for five films now, for over-- over a decade. You're stepping into his world, but you just have to bring-- you have to do the work that gets you there, and be prepared, and be ready for anything.

KEVIN POLOWY: You said recently, I hope Bond's changed a lot while I've been part of him. And one very noticeable way he's changed, a lot of people are talking about, is sort of how faithful he's become in his romantic life. He's no longer the swinger he once was. I mean, he did get married once, we know. But, you know, he's not that promiscuous Bond we've known for so long. Is that one of the aspects you've taken, you know, pride in?

DANIEL CRAIG: I hope we've sort of changed things. A lot of things that were acceptable in 1952 or 1962, when they made the movies, they're just not part of the world anymore. And I feel like, to have something that reflects modern life is really important. They've always done that. Bond movies have always sort of mirrored the world around the politics, the style, the fashion things, and there's no difference with our movies. And I just feel like every character has to have weight. My kind of credo through the writing process is, if they don't have weight, if they're not important, then they're not in the movie. It's just, that's it.

CARY JOJI FUKUNAGA: Yeah. Once you find that woman you love, there's no need to be the swinger, right? So that's how you-- that's where we run from there, the logic of the character, at least. But also, yeah, he's a maturing man, and, you know, he sees he's someone who's probably at this juncture in his life, is valuing and prioritizing other things. And that's part of what allows that growth to happen. You know, I think if you're holding onto the-- the fast cars and the young women in that point in your life, then you're looking at the wrong things. And I think the character needs to grow, and as much as the world is changing around him.

LEA SEYDOUX: There is something about the James Bond-- James Bond is also exciting because there is no moral around this character. And actually, it's why he's so human, in a way. It's really something that Daniel, I think, brought-- you know, the paradoxes and the fact that he's unperfect, but also vulnerable. So that's, I think, the reason why he falls in love with-- with Madeline, who's also a very unconventional character in the sense that she's not objectified, you know, and sexualized. She's like a real woman with depth and flaws, and for that reason, like, the audience have more empathy, you know, for them. I think it's also thanks to-- to Daniel, you know, who's a feminist, and he really wanted to have more interesting characters.

LASHANA LYNCH: As soon as Daniel joined the franchise and I saw "Casino Royale," I thought, oh, there's something happening here. So now I see-- as the movies have gone by, especially Daniel's reign-- I see that the franchise is just reflecting the world.

Of course, there's Nomi in "No Time to Die." It makes complete sense that there's a female 00 agent who has agency, who has a voice, who is listened to, who is powerful, who is a bit awkward, really real, and authentic. That's women that I know. It makes sense. Alongside that, Léa has some incredible moments in the film, where she gets to do both. Nomi does the same. Ana does the same. And it makes me proud that we're in a part of the franchise, now that-- that I'm able to-- to show my grandchildren and say, one, I was in the thing, but also, look what we're representing.

[MUSIC PLAYING]

MADELEINE SWANN: His name is Safin.

JAMES BOND: And what does he want?

[EXPLOSION]

MADELEINE SWANN: Revenge.