As sashayed his way through the streets of Paris in an advert for Belvedere vodka in 2022, he appeared to be shedding ‘s skin once and for all as he stepped into a new era in his life.
Celebrity alcohol endorsements are nothing new to the actor, 56. But after 15 years playing the suave super spy, his dramatic debut felt like a rebirth following his final outing in 2021’s No Time To Die.
The cheeky clip opened with him wearing a stylish white suit before cutting through a waiting car and emerging in a black outfit, looking every inch the superstar with a black leather jacket and chunky chain necklace.
It screamed “this is me” and quickly went viral with milions of views, indicating people were sitting up and taking notice. Although Daniel had undertaken many other roles during his Bond tenure, they were generally overshadowed by his role in the legendary franchise.
However, there is no danger of that happening now. Since the iconic advert, he has worked at ensuring he is as far removed from the fictional spy as possible.
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Daniel Craig has changed his image since his James Bond days (Image: Getty)
Throughout his tenure as Bond, he was likely to be seen in sharp suits and stylish tailoring off screen as well as on, thoroughly embodying the role.
But recently, his style has become far more relaxed. He is still partial to designer items, but has taken on a more comfortable demeanour.
When he does don a suit it is a more comfortable cut and shirts are usually open necked instead of buttoned up and styled with a tie. Just recently, he wore a cable knit jumper and loafers that resembled slippers for an event to promote his latest movie Queer.
His general look has also softened. He has grown out Bond’s short back and sides, which he sported for a decade and a half, and currently boasts longer locks. It is the most relaxed he has looked in a long time and it takes years off him.
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Daniel Craig played James Bond for 15 years before his final outing in 2021 (Image: Getty)
Queer also continues his reinvention. While he has played a gay character before, in the form of Knives Out Benoit Blanc, this is a far more explicit offering than the southern detective.
Based on the 1985 William S. Burroughs novella of the same name, the 1950s drama sees Daniel play American expat and war veteran William Lee who has a romance with a younger man, who is a drug addict and discharged Navy serviceman.
He partakes in several steamy scenes in the movie and told : “You kind of have to leave your ego at the door. You’ve got to kind of just let it go. There are no rules.”
It is up to audiences to decide if he has finally done enugh to shake of the spectre of Bond once and for all.
Queer is in cinemas on Friday December 13.