The name’s Craig, Daniel Craig…

With Daniel Craig confirming his presence in one final James Bond film, it’s hard to believe that there was actually controversy around his 2005 casting.

When the, relatively, little known star of Our Friends in the North and Layer Cake was cast, 007 purists balked at the idea of a blonde James Bond. This following five dark haired portrayals by Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Piers Brosnan.

Promising a grittier and more emotional iteration of the Ian Fleming character, Craig went on to silence his critics with the barnstorming success of Casino Royale in 2006.

Eleven years later, and with just one more opportunity to see his Bond in action, here are five times Daniel Craig nailed it as the 006th 007…

1. The Classy Entrance (Casino Royale)

In a beautifully vintage opening sequence to Casino Royale Craig’s Bond arguably cracked the role from his very first scene. It’s shot in black-and-white, violent and yet still reminiscent of the crisp Connery era. With the closing line, Craig promised a Bond that would be infinitely cool.

2. The Beach Bod (Casino Royale)

Some said Craig didn’t look the part, Craig begged to differ…

Apparently unplanned, the scene gender flipped the similarly iconic moment way back in Dr. No, in which Ursula Andress emerged, bikini clad, from the sea.

Didn’t look the part? He practically redefined it.

3. The Cool Hero (Skyfall)

Out of bullets but armed with a digger on a train.

Whilst some say that Craig’s Bond is just another generic action star, such critique misses the essence of the performance – one gritty and modern and yet never forgetting the elements that have gifted the franchise its longevity.

In this breathtaking sequence, Craig cracks the action and in one moment nails the cool.

4. The Queen’s Man (London 2012 Opening Ceremony)

A surprise that no one saw coming, Craig’s potential peak as Bond came not in a film but courtesy of Danny Boyle and the London 2012 Opening Ceremony.

In a scene titled ‘Happy and Glorious,’ for six minutes and fifteen seconds, the magic of Fleming’s creation is real. It’s a sequence that has to be seen to be believed.

Yes, that is The Queen.

5. The James Bond (Spectre)

Spectre had a lot to live up to after Skyfall.

Whilst it didn’t quite get there, the film certainly got off to a good start.

Sam Mendes’ masterfully crafted tracking shot lasts a full four minutes and allows Craig to demonstrate how well, ten years on from his first appearance as the character, he’s found his feet and nailed the part.

He is Bond, he’s James Bond.

What’s your favourite Daniel Craig Bond moment? Comment below!