Daniel Craig Opens up About the Performer He Finds Truly Magical

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As a movie fan, I’ve always thought Daniel Craig was seriously underrated. Everyone knows him as James Bond, but he’s so much more than that! He really started to show his range after getting his start on British TV, and films like ‘Layer Cake’ and ‘Knives Out’ proved he’s a proper actor’s actor – someone who truly acts. What I admire most is that he always seems to give credit where it’s due, constantly talking about how other actors inspire him. He clearly loves the craft, and it shows.

Daniel Craig fondly remembered working with the late Michael Gambon on the 2004 film Layer Cake. During interviews promoting the movie, Craig spoke highly of Gambon, who played the powerful character Eddie Temple. He explained to Groucho Reviews that Gambon belonged to a generation of actors who possessed a special level of respect, earned from working with legendary performers like Laurence Olivier.

Despite his background in classic theatre, Daniel Day-Lewis found Gambon’s acting style remarkably new and impactful. He described Gambon as a thoroughly modern actor, someone who brought a powerful emotional intensity to his roles. Day-Lewis observed that Gambon had a deeply moving and authentic emotional range that could be incredibly affecting, even in a realistic film like Layer Cake.

Craig shared that working with Michael Gambon was especially memorable because of Gambon’s ability to think on his feet. Surprisingly, Gambon made up most of his lines during the filming of Layer Cake, which made every scene feel fresh and exciting. Craig noted that even with so much experience, Gambon approached acting like a game, and it was a joy to watch.

Although they both appeared in films together, Daniel Craig believed Michael Gambon truly shone on stage. He urged people to see Gambon perform live, saying it was impossible not to be moved by his talent. Craig felt Gambon wasn’t just a skilled actor, but a uniquely captivating person who left a lasting impression on everyone he encountered.

By early 2026, Craig had transitioned to a new phase in his career after finishing his time as James Bond. He’s been receiving a lot of praise for his lead role in Luca Guadagnino’s film, Queer, where he played William Lee, and has been nominated for both Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards. He also recently returned as the quirky detective Benoit Blanc in the latest Knives Out movie, Wake Up Dead Man, which debuted on Netflix in late 2025.

Craig will soon be appearing in a big-screen and Netflix adaptation of C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew, a story from the world of Narnia. The film, directed by Greta Gerwig and also featuring Emma Mackey and Carey Mulligan, has finished filming and is expected to be released in November 2026.

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2026-02-04 15:44