Daniel Craig’s Regret: The Blockbuster He Did for Cash

Daniel Craig’s post-Bond career has been something of a masterclass in picking one’s moments. While some of his 007 predecessors faded into the background or found themselves typecast, Craig has managed to carve out a rather enviable path. He’s picked up a trio of Golden Globe nods for his turns in Rian Johnson’s Knives Out series and Luca Guadagnino’s Queer, and the financial cushion from his years as Bond has given him the freedom to take on projects that genuinely interest him. Not that he’s been especially prolific outside of his signature roles—over the past decade, he’s only appeared in a couple of films that didn’t involve Bond, Benoit Blanc, or William Lee. Still, the signs are promising for a career with real staying power, even if he never quite matches Sean Connery’s post-007 stardom.

Before the world saw him as the sharply dressed secret agent, Craig’s career was still finding its feet. He’d made a mark on television with Our Friends in the North and turned heads in Road to Perdition, but it was Layer Cake in 2004 that really set things in motion. Yet, a few years prior, he’d already dipped his toe into the world of big-budget blockbusters, albeit with less than stellar results.

The Tomb Raider Gamble

In 2001, Craig took on the role of Alex West in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, starring alongside Angelina Jolie. The film smashed box office records, becoming the highest-grossing video game adaptation at the time and the top-earning action film led by a woman. For many, it was a landmark moment. For Craig, it was little more than a paycheque.

When asked by Phase 9 what drew him to the part, Craig didn’t mince words.

“Money!”

he replied, with a candour that’s become something of a trademark. He did elaborate, though not with any particular enthusiasm.

“I also like going to the cinema and having popcorn, nachos, hot dogs, the lot, while watching some big Hollywood movie,”

he said.

“So it was an opportunity to be a part of that, and it was a good movie for what it was, but that kind of film does not turn me on.”

Looking Back in Hindsight

With the benefit of time, Craig’s feelings about Tomb Raider have only grown more pointed. He’s since described the experience as the

“worst mistake”

of his career. One can only hope the compensation was worth the regret.

It’s a rare bit of honesty in an industry where actors often feel compelled to talk up every project. Craig’s willingness to admit he took the job for the money—and that it left him cold—offers a glimpse behind the curtain. Not every blockbuster is a passion project, and sometimes, even the most successful films can leave their stars wishing they’d chosen differently.