Highest paid bond actor Daniel Craig not to play 007 for US drama 'Purity'

Los Angeles: The 47-year old star, Daniel Craig, has reportedly decided to quit the Bond series and move on to working on to a new U.S series named ‘Purity', which is roping in multiple bidders- including Showtime and Netflix- to air the show. 

After almost a decade of playing the ultra smooth-gadget-lover 007, Craig has reportedly stepped down from the Bond series leaving the excitement in the air for who will become the next James Bond.

The Spectre actor is now part of a television adaptation of Jonathan Franzen's novel ‘Purity', releasing by the same title which will be produced by Scott Rudin and run for several series of 20 episodes each seasons.

This, nonetheless, comes as very little surprise to the Bond fans as Craig has, in the past, said in an interview London's Time Out magazine that he would rather ‘slash his wrist' than play James Bond again.

Also Read: Akshay Kumar most preferred to play desi 'James Bond': India TV social media poll

This remark, however, didn't go down well with the producers of the film.

MailOnline had initially reported that during last Bond film (Spectre) there were problem with the script and “Craig was injured on the set and needed knee surgery, and they were still doing re-shoots last month”. Craig was reported saying that “It was a very difficult shoot”.

The Hollywood film fraternity also seemed unimpressed by Craig's displeasing attitude. ‘Grey's Anatomy' actress Ellen Page wrote on Twitter that, ‘this dude needs a reality check, after hearing about his remark.”

Craig made this claim when he was asked about the next, which would be the fifth Craig-played James Bond, film of the Bond franchise. To this he also replied that if he were to sign another one, it would “only be for the money”.

Craig is currently the highest-paid Bond actor who was paid £7.38million for Skyfall, which also became the first Bond movie to push the one billion dollar threshold. For his next two (including Spectre) he sought a deal to get paid £31million.

His comments in the Time Out magazine weren't, infact, the only time he dissed the role that brought him more fame than his any other project outside the Bond franchise.

Last year in August, Craig was quoted in the Esquire magazing stating he has no wish to continue playing James Bond and would rather “get on” with his life pursuing other projects.

As far as a speculation regarding the next James Bond is concerned, Luther and The Wire star Idris Elba is a definite fan-favorite. However, he also leads in heated debate about if there could ever be a black Bond.

Tom hardy is also one of the stars who could be singed to become the next MI6 to walk in the shoes of Daniel Craig's legacy in the Bond series.

Others who could possibly land the role are Richard Madden, Tom Hiddleston, Henry Cavill and Michael Fassbender.

Despite all the speculations of why Craig has decided to let go of the suave MI6 character, all that can be hoped for is that the next Bond takes the legacy forward...in style.