Daniel Craig James Bond: Director Of Skyfall 'Didn't Think He Was Right For The Part'

Director Sam Mendes understood the concerns of 007 fans when Daniel Craig was first announced to play James Bond - he was also convinced the hunk was the wrong actor for the iconic role.

Some fans were aghast when Craig was first cast as the suave superspy, arguing he didn't look right for the part.

But Craig proved the sceptics wrong thanks to the commercial and critical success of his debut Bond outing in 2006's Casino Royale, and the director of the new 007 blockbuster Skyfall admits he should not have doubted the actor.

Mendes says: "I was one of the people who said I didn't think he was the right casting. At the time I said, 'I'm not sure. I would advise him not to do it."

But Mendes, who worked with Craig in 2002's Road to Perdition, was delighted when he saw Casino Royale: "I watched him come through that intense pressure with flying colours. I was so excited to see him as Bond."

Skyfall will be Craig's third Bond movie, and is due for release later this year.