Hello! Magazine has a new interview with hot Bond powerhouse Daniel Craig. The smoldering blond Bond comes across as both grateful for his fame and willing to work hard to ensure that he stays on the top of his game. Craig says he’s touched by the adoration he receives from fans, but that it’s not that relevant to him because he’s in a long term relationship. He’s humble and low-key when it comes to the praise that’s been heaped on him for his performance in the action role. As for the future of the series, he says he’s up to playing Bond for as long as he’s wanted.

On his fans and hot body

Q: These days, women are falling over themselves to meet Daniel Craig. How do you find the attention?
“I’m very touched by it. I have to have a sense of humour about it, because on the one hand it’s very nice and on the other hand it doesn’t have much relevance to my life, because I live with somebody.”
Q: You’ve pumped up your physique for the Bond role. Do you enjoy showing off?
“I don’t feel particularly comfortable with it. Obviously, it’s nice to get fit and be in good shape, but it’s a by-product.
Q: It must make you very proud to have so many people say you’re the best Bond since Sean Connery…
“Obviously, I am very proud of that and it is very nice of them to say that. But not everybody thinks that. Believe me, I know that.
Q: What has been your most memorable encounter with fans since you became Bond?
“Getting out of the car at the premiere of Casino Royale in London is something I’m never going to forget – I’m not sure how many thousands of fans were standing there in Leicester Square.”

[From Hello! Magazine, print edition, October 21, 2008]

On his character traits as Bond: He drinks on screen but doesn’t smoke
Craig talks about how he’s reinterpreted Ian Fleming’s Bond. He is asked what character traits from the books he’s used or avoided, and he says that Bond’s chain smoking was cut because “I can’t do that [smoke 60 cigarettes a day] and run two-and-a-half miles down the road, it just doesn’t tie in.” He adds that “the drinking’s there, the Dutch courage.” He says he orders his martinis as Vespers like in the last film and that “it’s a big fat, heavy drink of alcohol, but it’s actually quite a good drink.” (Here are some recipes for that drink if you’re interested, Craig describes it as “two parts vodka, two parts gin, then a measure of Kina Lillet.”) The cast did drink the actual martinis on set, and he said “The trouble is, with three it’s ok, but four, you’re ‘Well, this evening could be over soon!'”

Quantum of Solace is a very different film from Casino Royale, according to Craig. He says that it won’t be his last if things go right.

On continuing to play Bond for as long as we’ll have him

Q: Do you see Bond as a long term job?
“It’s becoming that way. We’ll see how this one turns out. If everything goes well, if people still want to see these movies, I’ll keep doing them for as long as it takes – or until my knees go, whichever happens quicker.”

[From Hello! Magazine, print edition, October 21, 2008]

Quantum of Solace is out in the UK on October 31 and in North America on November 14. It stars a 40 year-old Daniel Craig and new Bond girls Olga Kurylenko, 28, and Gemma Arterton, 22. We’re sure to see Craig working his magic on plenty of younger ladies in more entertaining installments of the blockbuster series.

Daniel Craig and Satsuki Mitchell are shown at “The Story Of James Bond: A Tribute To Ian Fleming” on 10/5/08. Credit WENN. They’re also shown at the premiere of Pineapple Express on 7/31/08. Credit: Juan Rico/Fame Pictures and out in London on 9/16/08. Credit: BIG PICTURES/bauergriffinonline