OMG you guys hold onto your popcorn because we need to talk about the absolute ICON that is Daniel Craig. Just when we thought we couldn't be more obsessed with his post Bond career he is back and ready to slay as the one and only Benoit Blanc. The buzz is already deafening for Knives Out 3 officially titled Wake Up Dead Man A Knives Out Mystery and we are literally counting down the seconds until we see that fabulous southern drawl grace our Netflix screens again.
Remember his show stopping return to the Toronto International Film Festival TIFF for Glass Onion? It was a total moment. And with Wake Up Dead Man set to be the most star studded mystery yet we are fully expecting another internet breaking premiere. But honey it wasn't always private jets and murder mysteries for this British babe. His journey to the Hollywood A list is the kind of drama we live for.
From Oxford Reject to Drama School Darling
Can you even IMAGINE a world where Daniel Craig was an academic instead of an action star? Well it almost happened. Before he was serving looks in a Tom Ford suit Craig was a brainy teen who got offers from top universities. But in a move that screams leading man energy he turned down a potential spot at Oxford to chase his dream. He basically said thanks but no thanks to one of the most prestigious universities in the WORLD to audition for drama school. Talk about a major life pivot.
After a few tries he landed a coveted spot at the legendary Guildhall School of Music and Drama not RADA as many believe a common mix up for London's top acting schools but the training was just as intense. He spent his days honing his craft and his nights waiting tables to make ends meet just like so many aspiring stars. He was hustling you guys putting in the work long before the James Bond casting directors ever knew his name. This wasn't some overnight success story it was a slow burn built on pure talent and grit.
The Layer Cake Moment That Changed Everything
For years Daniel Craig was a respected actor in the UK known for his intense performances in indie films and television. He was working consistently but he wasn't yet a household name. He was what Hollywood calls a "that guy" actor. You know the face but not the name.
And then came Layer Cake.
At 36 years old when many actors worry their big break has passed him by Craig stepped into the role of a slick unnamed cocaine dealer planning his exit from the criminal underworld. The 2004 film was a massive critical and commercial success. It was stylish gritty and undeniably cool and Craig was at the center of it all. He wasn't just acting he was electrifying. He had that dangerous charm that lethal swagger that special something.
Hollywood finally took notice. More importantly Bond producer Barbara Broccoli took notice. Layer Cake became his unofficial audition tape for the biggest role on the planet. It proved he could be sophisticated ruthless and command the screen with an intensity that was impossible to ignore. It was the game changer.
Shaken Not Stirred The Blond Bond Revolution
When the news broke that Daniel Craig was the new James Bond the internet went WILD. And not in a good way. The backlash was insane. "Blond Bond?!" they screamed. "He's too short! He's not suave enough!" The press was brutal calling him James Bland. It was a full on meltdown.
But Craig did what he always does. He put his head down and did the work. And then Casino Royale dropped. BOOM. In one iconic scene emerging from the ocean in those tiny blue swim trunks he silenced every single hater. His Bond was raw physical and emotionally complex. He completely reinvented the character for the 21st century and went on to star in five blockbuster 007 films becoming arguably one of the most beloved Bonds in history. The ultimate clapback.
The Post Bond Glow Up Benoit Blanc
After No Time to Die we all wondered what would be next for Daniel Craig. How do you follow up a role as legendary as James Bond? Easy you do a total 180 and introduce the world to Benoit Blanc. In 2019's Knives Out he traded his Walther PPK for a magnifying glass and a ridiculously charming accent. It was a revelation. He was funny quirky and utterly brilliant.
He followed it up with the sun-soaked sequel Glass Onion A Knives Out Mystery which became a streaming juggernaut for Netflix and cemented Benoit Blanc as a new iconic movie detective. Now with the highly anticipated Knives Out 3 Wake Up Dead Man on the horizon Craig has proven he is a true movie star whose talent can't be confined to one role.
From turning down academia for the stage to landing his breakout role at 36 and surviving a media firestorm to become a cinematic legend Daniel Craig's career is a masterclass in betting on yourself. We can't wait to see him solve his next great mystery.
By: koalafriend
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