Daniel Craig’s Best James Bond Film Is Now Trending On Streaming
Daniel Craig's James Bond movie, Casino Royale, is currently streaming within the top 10 on HBO.
Daniel Craig may have officially retired as British secret agent James Bond after 2021’s No Time to Die, but the films in which he portrays the character continue to prove popular amongst fans of the long-running movie franchise. Although the search is on for a new actor to take over the James Bond mantle, with Aaron Taylor-Johnson reportedly being the primary candidate, there’s no denying that Craig succeeded in making a memorable 007 that has left a lasting impression. In fact, according to Flix Patrol, 2006’s Casino Royale is currently number nine on HBO Max, which is quite an impressive feat considering the film premiered in theaters nearly 17 years ago.
Directed by Martin Campbell, Casino Royale, starring Daniel Craig, served to reboot the Bond franchise, which had grown laughably formulaic over the years. Eon Productions wanted to do away with the unrealistic elements that had begun to taint the series. Thus, the company set out to make a more grounded installment featuring a less experienced and more vulnerable James Bond. Needless to say, the company’s decision paid off, as the film was both a critical and financial success.
Casino Royale introduces viewers to James Bond (Daniel Craig) before he has his license to kill. Once he receives it, he heads to Madagascar, where he uncovers a link to Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), a man who finances terrorist organizations. After discovering that Le Chiffre plans to raise money in a high-stakes poker game, MI6 assigns Bond with the task of playing against him, gambling that their newest 007 agent will bring down the man’s organization.
Along with Daniel Craig and Mads Mikkelsen, Casino Royale stars Eva Green, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright, Giancarlo Giannini, Caterina Murino, Jesper Christensen, and Simon Abkarian. The screenplay was penned by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and Paul Haggis and is based on the 1953 novel Casino Royale by Ian Fleming. The film was distributed domestically by Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Released in theaters on November 17, 2006, Casino Royale was remarkably well received by professional critics and everyday audiences alike. On Rotten Tomatoes, the 21st entry in the James Bond series currently sits with a fresh score of 94 percent from critics and a score of 90 percent from traditional viewers. Although some critics and fans initially expressed doubt that the producers had made the right choice in casting Daniel Craig as 007, the actor was ultimately hailed for his turn as the character.
In addition to its positive reception, Casino Royale was a major box-office hit. The acclaimed film, which had an estimated production budget of $150 million, pulled in a massive $616.5 million globally. Prior to future installments in the James Bond franchise, the movie was Daniel Craig’s highest-grossing picture to date.
Following Casino Royale, the now 54-year-old actor went on to reprise his role as 007 in four more series installments: Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre, and No Time to Die. After Daniel Craig bid farewell to the character in 2019, the search was on for a new actor to take on the part. Although several names have been tossed around, including Henry Cavill, Idris Elba, and Tom Holland, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is currently the frontrunner for the role, according to our trusted and proven sources.
