Daniel: I’m rehearsing for Bond now - Dec 10 2007
Daniel Craig has given a latest update on the next Bond film.

"I’m rehearsing now," he told the New York Daily News.

"Actually, I’ve been sitting here picking the calluses off my hands as we speak. That part of the process has started again!"

The 39-year-old actor, who is currently in The Golden Compass, admitted that he feels under pressure to make Bond history, now that he is part of the successful franchise.

"The pressure is there. If I only make a couple of Bond films, I’d like to be able to look back on at least one of them and think, "Oh, that was a good one"."

Daniel continued: "I know that sounds like a simplistic way of looking at it, but in terms of movie-making, we want to make something that looks beautiful, looks stylish. I want this to be a Bond movie, and Bond movies, to me, are Dr No and From Russia With Love - they had a style about them that was amazing and different."

No laughs for 007 - Nov 29 2007
Daniel Craig has apparently revealed that he would hate James Bond to be littered with gags.

The actor - who is currently starring in Christmas blockbuster The Golden Compass - reportedly said he hoped to continue playing 007 straight in his future films.

"I don’t think you should write gags in Bond," he is quoted by The Sun as saying.

"I’m not going to shy away from the fact that occasionally there should be humour. I just don’t like written gags. That’s not the way I’ve ever liked working and I don’t think it is funny.

"I think the jokes need to come out as tension breakers - moments of humour because we’ve all been on the edge of our seats."

The 39-year-old - who has just started work on his next James Bond flick - reportedly confessed he was initially reluctant to take on the iconic role.

"I was very reticent, very much against it, but the script changed my mind," he explained. "I have always been a Bond fan and I’ve always wanted the films to be good.

"So when Casino Royale came along and I read the script, I felt that it was a genuine opportunity to make a good movie with one of the most iconic figures in film."

Daniel backs lifeboat charity - Nov 2 2007
He was pilloried for wearing a lifejacket when he arrived for his unveiling as the new James Bond - but Daniel Craig showed no hesitation in donning one again.

The Casino Royale star wore the vest on a private visit to crew members of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).

The actor requested a private visit to meet volunteers at Ramsgate Lifeboat Station.

The RNLI said the 007 star took its Trent class all-weather lifeboat and 32 knot Atlantic 75 inshore lifeboat "through their paces".

Daniel, 39, said: "The tireless, unassuming, and above all brave work that the RNLI volunteers undertake everyday makes me proud and honoured to be associated with them. Please help them do their job - support your local lifeboat."

Coxswain Ian Cannon said: "It was a bit of a surprise for the crew but we were thrilled to be able to show Daniel just what our RNLI lifeboat crews do.

"Everyone who crewed with Daniel was impressed by his knowledge and interest in the work of our charity.

"His handling of the inshore lifeboat was certainly impressive. He was good fun to have aboard, we’d have him back any time."

RNLI Chief Executive Andrew Freemantle said: "We are delighted that Daniel Craig has chosen to join us."