Time off from James Bond has been good for Daniel Craig. In the three years since the release of "Quantum of Solace," Craig has made his Broadway debut ("A Steady Rain"); starred in the World War II-era tale of Jewish rebellion, "Defiance"; joined up with Steven Spielberg again ("The Adventures of Tintin," following their earlier collaboration in "Munich"); and starred in "Cowboys & Aliens."
Lately, he's added David Fincher's remake of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." Now the early misgivings of the "Blond Bond" seem laughable. Craig has emerged as one of the biggest British stars. "It's a fortunate time for me at the moment," Craig said. "So I'm just trying to grab it with both hands."Craig, 43, comes across as relaxed. Though his screen presence is bleak and still, his manner is more loose and jocular. New York is his hometown now.
"Thankfully, I've got very good reasons to settle here," he said, alluding to his wife, Rachel Weisz, and her 4-year-old son. Craig and Weisz (his co-star in "Dream House") wed in June. He also has a teenage daughter from an early marriage.
Though Craig's personal life is of increasing interest to tabloids, he's maintained some elusiveness. And he seems somehow above the fray, projecting an air of professionalism and intellect. Fincher calls him the "giant planetary body," of "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," around which the other characters (such as Rooney Mara's Lisbeth Salander) orbit.
The director is clearly taken with Craig, whom he compares to Robert Mitchum and Kirk Douglas -- agile leading men with calm exteriors and smoldering eyes. "He's obviously got a physical presence and a sense of menace," Fincher said. "But he has this ability to be available for the other actor. It's a selflessness. It's a movie star thing. It's knowing how to create a conduit for the audience."
In "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," Craig plays journalist Mikael Blomkvist, who joins Salander to investigate a missing-woman case that unravels the sordid history of a Swedish family. It's based on the novels of Stieg Larsson, whose books were previously adapted into three Swedish-language movies.
Craig is now shooting his third Bond film, "Skyfall," directed by Sam Mendes. His contract has an option for a fourth, but more seem likely. Bond producer Michael Wilson said he hopes to sign Craig for another five films and make him the longest running 007.
Asked about the prospect of carrying two franchises, Craig said jokingly, "I'm going to be very old. Botox is going to be in there. "We'll see how 'Dragon Tattoo' does, but, yes, of course, I'd love to come in and do more," he said. "This is something I really believe in and I want to put all of my effort in to. I've just got to find time to live and that's kind of the only thing that really matters now."
Craig, the son of an art teacher and a pub landlord, knew he wanted to be an actor by age 6. At 16, he joined England's National Youth Theatre and continued into drama school.
Hollywood first took notice after a respectable supporting performance alongside Angelina Jolie in "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider."He memorably starred in a couple of Roger Mitchell dramas seen more in the U.K., "Enduring Love" and "The Mother," but he also began a continuing run in thrillers that included "Road to Perdition" and "Layer Cake."
It was surely his smooth fit -- a steely, purposeful presence with a sinewy frame -- in such films that won him the role of Bond, which he began in 2006's "Casino Royale."The film, one of the most acclaimed in the series, restarted Bond, turning him into a more realistic, brooding and postmodern figure.