Many men - and women too, for that matter - would love to play James Bond. Most of us would also love $150 million.

 

饰演詹姆斯·邦德是大多数男人甚至是女人都梦寐以求的。我们大多数人也会想要1.5亿美元。
 

 

But Hollywood superstar Daniel Craig is not most people.

 

The 007 actor, who has played the spy since 2005, has reportedly been offered the hefty sum listed above to return to the franchise¹ for two more films. But Craig has made no secret of his reluctance² to step back into the famous tuxedo³.

 

"The studio is desperate to secure the actor's services while they phase in a younger long-term successor," a source told the celebrity⁴ news website Radar⁵.

 

The source also suggested that by playing coy - remember when he told an interviewer he'd rather "slash⁶ his wrists" than immediately return to Bond? - Craig has only upped his perceived value.

 

He's essentially⁷ made himself into the man too cool to play Bond.

 

"Everyone knows how much executives adore him, and the idea of losing him at such a crucial time in the franchise isn't an option as far as all the studio honchos are concerned," said the source, who added that Craig "has played a genius hand."

 

"Daniel's the key for a seamless, safe transition as far as Sony and Bond bosses are concerned, and they're prepared to pay a king's ransom⁸ to make it happen."

 

The story above, which has not been confirmed by Sony or by representatives for Craig, comes in the wake of a May 2016 claim that Craig had turned down a £68 million offer to return for two more films. If true, it could suggest that studio is trying to tempt⁹ Craig back with increasingly larger sums.

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