Daniel Craig keeps mum about ‘James Bond’ role; reported snub fuels debate for the next 007

Daniel Craig was previously quoted as saying he’d rather slash his wrists than star in another James Bond film, but apparently, it does not count as an official resignation from the iconic role.

On Thursday, reports have surfaced that the 48-year-old actor has finalised his stance and said he is ‘done’ playing 007 after “Spectre.” Not even an offer worth US$100 million (AU$137 million) could sway him, various media organisations said. In previous interviews, Craig said that he’s had enough of James Bond and admitted that if he did return as Bond it would be just for the money.

MGM reportedly “threw huge amounts of money at him, but it just wasn’t what he wanted,” according to Daily Mail, which has been quoted by other news sites. “He had told people after shooting that this would be his final outing, but the film company still felt he could come around after Spectre if he was offered a money deal,” a source told Daily Mail.

However, BBC reported that the British actor has not turned down the possibility of reprising James Bond in the highly successful film franchise. According to the news site, which quoted “authoritative Bond sources,” Craig has not made a firm decision on the matter, and that “no decision is likely to be made for a while.”

The next James Bond movie might not be out until late 2018, according to BBC, if MGM’s three-to-four year cycle would be followed.

Amid the uncertainty hounding the next 007 film, discussions about Craig’s successor have reignited. Fans are not only speculating who can best play the suave and skillful spy, but also defending their bets. So far, the strongest contenders include Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Damian Lewis, Jason Statham, Michael Fassbender, Henry Cavill and Tom Hiddleston.

[READ: “The next James Bond: Fans weigh in on Daniel Craig's replacement”]

Hiddleston comes up as one of the favourites to play James Bond, and he has earlier hinted that he’ll welcome the role when it’s offered to him. “I simply love the theme tune, the tropes and the mythology. I love the whole thing. If it ever came knocking, it would be an extraordinary opportunity. And I’m very aware of the physicality of the job. I would not take it lightly,” he told The Sunday Times.

The 35-year-old actor is currently busy with his upcoming films due in 2017. This includes "Kong: Skull Island" and "Thor: Ragnarok," where he will be reprising his role as Loki.