Daniel Craig's turn in Layer Cake convinced director Martin Campbell to vote for him to play James Bond in Casino Royale over rival Henry Cavill.

The stars made it to the final two to take over the iconic 007 role from Pierce Brosnan, and Campbell admits it was a close call between the pair.

He tells the Sunday Express, "Henry did a great screen test for Bond. So did Daniel, although he arrived for his looking really tired after a night flight from America where he was finishing up a movie called The Invasion.

"None of us making the casting decision were 100 per cent sure. I needed a couple of days to think about it. Over that weekend I saw Daniel's film Layer Cake and he showed such terrific charm in that that it convinced me he should get the part."

And although Craig has thrilled fans in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, Campbell admits new Superman Cavill could play the superspy in the future.

He adds, "Perhaps Henry Cavill was too young for it then, he was 22 at the time we auditioned for Casino Royale, but maybe he could still be James Bond in the future. After all, Pierce Brosnan did a great screen test only to eventually get the part years later."

PHOTOS: Take a sneak peek at an exhibition celebrating 50 years of designing 007...

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• Designing Bond

  Emerging from the sea singing calypso 'Under the Mango Tree' Honey (Ursula Andress) is surprised to hear someone taking up the song refrain. Copyright Notice - © 1962 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Designing Bond

  Pussy Galore (HONOR BLACKMAN) and her flying circus. Copyright Notice - © 1964 Danjaq, LLC & United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Designing Bond

  Oddjob's hat, Goldfinger © 1964 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved

• Designing Bond

  Jinx (HALLE BERRY) has her first encounter with James Bond in the beach bar in Cuba. Copyright Notice - © 2002 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Designing Bond

  Sean Connery Dr No © 1962 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Designing Bond

  Blofeld (Donald Pleasence) Copyright Notice - © 1967 Danjaq, LLC and United

• Designing Bond

  Atlantis is Strombergs base, a futuristic creation, a prototype for an underwater city, it can survive completely submerged or it can rise up out of the water like a huge metallic spider. Copyright Notice - © 1977 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Designing Bond

  Sean Connery and author Ian Fleming discuss the character of James Bond while filming an interior scene for "Dr No" at Pinewood Studios. Copyright Notice - © 1962 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved

• Designing Bond

  Scaramanga's Golden Gun. Copyright Notice - © 1974 Danjaq, LLC and United Artsts Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Designing Bond

  Elektra King in ski outfit The World Is Not Enough © 1999 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Designing Bond

  Elektra King Ski Costume sketch The World Is Not Enough © 1999 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Designing Bond

  Miranda Frost (Rosamond Pike) Copyright Notice - © 2002 Danjaq, LLC and United Artsts Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Designing Bond

  Daniel Craig picture: Casino Royale © 2006 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation and Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Designing Bond

  SEAN CONNERY relaxes on the bumper of his Aston Martin DB5 during the filming of location scenes for 'Goldfinger' in the Swiss Alps. Copyright Notice - © 1964 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Designing Bond

  Bond (GEORGE LAZENBY) wears his kilt for a party at Blofeld's Swiss mountain hideaway.

• Designing Bond

  James Bond (ROGER MOORE) arrives at the casino, Octopussy. Copyright Notice - © 1983 Danjaq, LLC and United Artsts Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Designing Bond

  Standing at the foot of the staircase, Bond (PIERCE BROSNAN) watches Elektra. Copyright Notice - ©1999 Danjaq, LLC and United Artists Corporation. All rights reserved.

• 50 Years of Designing Bond

  Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style, at the Barbican Centre © Jane Hobson

• 50 Years of Designing Bond

  Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style, at the Barbican Centre © Jane Hobson

• 50 Years of Designing Bond

  Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style, at the Barbican Centre © Jane Hobson

• 50 Years of Designing Bond

  Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style, at the Barbican Centre © Jane Hobson

• 50 Years of Designing Bond

  Designing 007: 50 Years of Bond Style, at the Barbican Centre © Jane Hobson