According to the
Sunday Express, Daniel Craig is to become Britains highest-paid actor after signing a new multi-million pound deal to play James Bond.
The 39-year-old has won a huge pay rise on the back of the astonishing success of Casino Royale which took over £300 million at the box office to make it the biggest-grossing Bond film ever.
He will get an estimated £5 million for his next outing as 007 and £8 million for his third film double the sums he originally negotiated with Bond production company Eon.
Leon Forde of movie magazine Screen International, said: The fact is that hes become integral to the success of the Bond franchise and Im not surprised that hes been given a new contract. Eon are obviously doing everything they can to keep him on board.
The Chester-born actor, who left home at 16 to enrol at Londons National Youth Theatre, made his name in TVs Our Friends In The North in 1996 before taking starring roles in films as diverse as Sylvia, in which he played poet Ted Hughes, Road To Perdition with Paul Newman, Tomb Raider and Steven Spielbergs Munich.
Despite his huge 007 success Craig recently voiced his desire not to be typecast saying: I dont want to make just spy films.
And since Casino Royale he has completed sci-fi thriller The Invasion, with Nicole Kidman, The Golden Compass, adapted from a Philip Pullman book, and low-budget British movie, Flashbacks Of A Fool an example of how Craig is using his new-found clout to take on projects for a fraction of his Bond fee because they are dear to his heart.
The £5million indie movie Flashbacks Of A Fool sees him playing a troubled Hollywood actor who returns to Britain to confront his demons after hearing his childhood best friend has died.
It is written and directed by debut film-maker Baillie Walsh, an acclaimed pop promo maker who has worked with bands such as Massive Attack and Oasis.
He told the Sunday Express: We were lucky. Daniel liked the script and wanted to do the film and he delivers a fantastic performance in the title role.
Walsh salutes Craigs talents as an actor, as well as his readiness to make smaller films when he could be picking up colossal Hollywood fees.
He added: You only have to see Daniels films, be it Enduring Love or Layer Cake, to realise what a brilliant actor he is and thats why casting agents in Britain and America are falling over themselves to have him in their films.
The fact that Daniel is still making films like mine when he could be earning 10 times as much in Hollywood is a tribute to him as a person.
The success of Casino Royale was sweet vindication for Craig who was subjected to a hate campaign when cast as Pierce Brosnans replacement.
Walsh commented: There were bound to be doubters because Bond is such an institution, and anyone who steps into the role is going to be subjected to intense scrutiny.
The only thing he ever wanted to be judged on was his acting and his performance as Bond. And theres no doubt that hes a great Bond.
Last night Eon, refused to comment on Craigs bumper new deal. A spokesman said: We never discuss such matters.
