Daniel Craig insured his body for millions (Image: Getty)
Actor Daniel Craig reportedly has his entire body insured for $9.5 million. However, whilst numerous celebrities insure body parts for publicity and to boost their market value, it is understood that the Bond star was simply being sensible.
He secured this policy because of the dangers associated with performing his own stunt work in the 007 franchise. Unlike his predecessor, Pierce Brosnan, Craig believed his audience was paying to see him and was resolute about carrying out his own stunts for his James Bond films, including Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace and Skyfall. But being Bond is no easy feat. Not only must you be smooth, sophisticated and sharp-witted, you must also execute numerous demanding stunts that could potentially result in injury. Craig is well-versed in this, having suffered countless aches and pains throughout his 14-year tenure as Bond, in body parts you’ve likely never even heard of. He ranks among Britain’s most prominent film stars, featuring in blockbusters such as Casino Royale, Knives Out, and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
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It’s undeniable that Daniel Craig became synonymous with James Bond during his 15-year tenure, celebrated for his dashing appearance in a traditional dinner jacket and cropped dark locks which left countless admirers weak at the knees.
The Cheshire-native actor rose to international fame as the legendary secret agent – codenamed 007 – when he captivated audiences with his 2006 debut Casino Royale. Though initially met with criticism when first cast as the new Bond, the film’s cinema release saw him receive overwhelmingly glowing praise.
However, life on set wasn’t always as glamorous as it seemed, with the star enduring numerous serious injuries throughout his time in the role.
As the father of two marks his 58th birthday surrounded by loved ones, we examine some of the punishing injuries he experienced during filming.
During the 2008 production of Quantum of Solace, his face was lacerated and needed eight stitches, though his misfortunes didn’t stop there. Just seven days afterwards, he severed the tip of his finger whilst shooting an intense action scene.
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Daniel Craig was Bond for many years (Image: Getty)
A member of the Bond production crew disclosed at the time: « There was quite a lot of blood, and it was decided he needed to go to the hospital for emergency treatment. Some people are beginning to believe the film is jinxed ». He subsequently tore a labrum (the connecting cartilage) in his right shoulder whilst executing an aircraft stunt.
The injury worsened after he leapt through a window into a wall during filming in Italy. Craig told GQ at the time: « I was just nervous and overcooked it. At that point, my arm was kind of useless. »
During production of 2012’s Skyfall, he ruptured both calf muscles, necessitating physiotherapy sessions in a swimming pool fitted around the filming timetable.
However, Spectre undoubtedly brought his most severe injury. The actor snapped his anterior cruciate ligament (a crucial ligament in the knee joint) during a scene with former professional wrestler Dave Batista in March 2015.
He subsequently wore a knee brace throughout the remainder of filming, which was digitally removed during post-production. Discussing his injuries with GQ, he remembered: « I was like, ‘Dave, throw me for Christ’s sake’ because he was being light with me. So, he threw me and, God bless him, he just left my knee over there. »
Yet despite the severe injuries accumulated over the years, he’s maintained a positive attitude. « It’s not about recovery because you know you can recover, » he said
« It’s about psychologically thinking that you’re going to do it again. »
During an appearance on the Graham Norton show in 2015, he informed the Irish host: « I’ve had my right shoulder reconstructed, I’ve had my left knee operated on, my right knee operated on. My thumb hurts. »
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