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Daniel Craig Joined $29.3 Billion MCU Franchise Before Quitting His Role as James Bond: What Went Wrong?

Daniel Craig Joined $29.3 Billion MCU Franchise Before Quitting His Role as James Bond: What Went Wrong?
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Daniel Craig Joined 29.3 Billion MCU Franchise Before Quitting His Role as James Bond What Went Wrong

Daniel Craig is famous for his James Bond character. He was part of five James Bond movies and gained popularity over the years due to his brilliant performance as the British Spy. He played James Bond for the first time in Casino Royale (2006) and was applauded by fans. Before retiring from his popular role, the actor signed on to enter the biggest franchise in the industry.

Daniel Craig

Craig was supposed to be part of the MCU in its biggest film of Phase 4. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, became a pivotal movie for Marvel Studios’ Multiverse Saga. The film had many great cameos, and the James Bond stars would have been an interesting one. Although the 55-year-old actor denied being part of the $29.3 Billion MCU franchise, Elizabeth Olsen revealed his involvement. 

Also Read: “Its probably less ideal”: Daniel Craig’s Wife Won’t Work With her Husband After Their Disaster Last Project

Daniel Craig had a planned appearance in MCU

Daniel Craig

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is one of the biggest franchises in the entertainment industry. It has produced many successful movies throughout the year. One of Marvel’s big films in Phase 4 was Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The movie took place after Spider-Man: No Way Home, and explored other universes and variants deeply. The film had several fun cameos that created a lot of hype.

Daniel Craig, the James Bond star was supposed to make a cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Craig was supposed to play Balder the Brave in the film. Further, his character was meant to be one of the members of the Illuminati. The 55-year-old actor left the project after the Covid-19 outbreak hit. There were reports that the Knives Out stars cameo was deleted from the original movie, but no one from the film confirmed the reports.

Recently Elizabeth Olsen confirmed Craig planned appearance as Balder the Brave during Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. She appeared on Josh Horowitz’s Happy, Sad, Confused podcast. During her time on the podcast, the actress was asked about working with John Krasinski in the film. The Scarlet Witch actor revealed she had never actually worked with Krasinski on the film. 

When asked by Horowitz about the No Time to Die actor’s involvement in the movie, she said, “Yes, that’s what I thought was going to happen too. I saw the art. They made a costume. They had a design.”

The Love & Death actress didn’t elaborate on any specific story details, she confirmed Daniel Craig’s part in MCU.

Also Read: “I had to get used to being famous”: Daniel Craig Reveals He Hated Being James Bond For the Spotlight, Claims ‘Everybody F—king Hated Him’

Daniel Craig Was Supposed to Play Balder the Brave

Daniel Craig

If Craig would have appeared in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, he would have played one of Marvel Comics’ more notable Asgardians, Balder the Brave. The character Balder was first introduced by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in October 1962.

He is Thor’s half-brother. However, it’s not certain if that would have remained true for the MCU version. Marvel never alluded to Thor even having another sibling, but this would have been presented as a narrative shock. Craig’s talent would be a huge asset to Marvel Studios, especially if he agreed to work on numerous projects.

While the James Bond star not being part of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has disappointed fans, perhaps Marvel Studios will find him a future role down the line if he joins the franchise.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is available to stream on Disney+.

Also Read: “I should naturally have done a lot of Bond research”: Daniel Craig’s James Bond Was Misogynist in His Final Movie No Time To Die

Source: Youtube

Frequently asked questions

Who was Daniel Craig reportedly going to play in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?

According to the article, Craig was reportedly set to play Balder the Brave as one of the members of the Illuminati featured in the film. Balder is an Asgardian created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1962 and is depicted in Marvel Comics as Thor’s half-brother, though it was never confirmed whether the MCU version would have kept that connection. Marvel Studios never officially confirmed the casting, so it remains a reported, unrealized cameo rather than a finished role.

Why didn’t Daniel Craig’s MCU cameo happen?

The article states that Craig left the project after the Covid-19 outbreak disrupted production. There were reports that his cameo was deleted from the film, but no one involved with the movie officially confirmed those reports, so the exact reason remains unverified. The Illuminati scene in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness ultimately featured a different lineup of characters when the film released in 2022.

How was Daniel Craig’s planned appearance revealed?

Actress Elizabeth Olsen, who plays Scarlet Witch, discussed it on Josh Horowitz’s Happy, Sad, Confused podcast. She said she had expected Craig to appear and noted that the production had made concept art, a costume, and a design for him, though she did not share specific story details. Marvel Studios itself never publicly confirmed the casting, so Olsen’s comments remain the main on-record account of the planned cameo.

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