In 2005 British actor Daniel Craig became the sixth, and most controversial, choice to play 007.Many members of the press criticised the choice saying he was too short, too blond and too ugly to play the role of the suave, sophisticated ladies man James Bond.Many of the franchises loyal fan were also unhappy with the choice that they threatened to boycott the release of Casino Royale.But Craig had enjoyed a successful, if some what under the radar, career before he took the role of 007.After training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama he break through role came in the BBC's series Our Friends In The North in 1996 alongside Christopher Eccleston and Gina McKee.Craig stayed with the BBC starring in Love is the Devil: Study for a Portrait of Francis Bacon in 1997 as Bacon's jilted lover George Dyer.

But the big screen beckoned for Craig as he landed the role of Alex West, Angelina Jolie's lover, in 2001's Tomb Raider.

From this point on his movie career began to take off with roles in Sam Mendes' gangster movie Road to Perdition with Tom Hanks and Paul Newman in 2002, Sylvia with Gwyneth Paltrow in 2003, Matthew Vaughn's Brit flick Layer Cake in 2004 and Steven Spielberg's Munich in 2005.

His impressive and varied career landed him a three film deal, worth £15 million, to play James Bond in February 2005.

Despite the controversy and criticism surrounding his casting Craig went on to silence his critics when Casino Royale was released last year as it went on to become the highest grossing Bond film, at the global box office, of all time.

Craig is preparing to begin filming Bond 22 which is expected to be released in November next year.

Before then the actor will star alongside Nicole Kidman in alien themed movie The Invasion as well as The Golden Compass, as adaptation of the Phillip Pullman novel, which also stars Nicole Kidman and Bond girl Eva Green.

The Invasion is released 12th October The Golden Compass is released 5th December

Helen Earnshaw

Tagged in