Bond star Naomie Harris: I don’t believe Daniel Craig is ready to hand in his licence to thrill

Moneypenny’s verdict: Naomie Harris talks Spectre. Pictured - Naomie at a bash last night with Jeremy Piven
Rex
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Naomie Harris today said she does not believe “for a second” that her co-star Daniel Craig is ready to hang up his tuxedo as James Bond — despite his dramatic claims to the contrary.

The actress, who plays Eve Moneypenny in the franchise, spoke out after Craig, 47, claimed he would rather “slash his wrists” with broken glass than make another 007 film after his latest outing in Spectre.

Harris, who called the actor the “ultimate Bond”, said he had been joking because of the physical toll involved in filming the action movies.

Calling it “a sarcastic remark”, she added: “To say that he doesn’t want to come back — I just don’t believe it for a second.

On set: Naomie Harris and Daniel Criag in between takes
Rex

“It’s been blown completely out of proportion. Daniel worked 128 days on this movie and he works incredibly hard.”

Hollywood sources have claimed the Spectre shoot was “very difficult”. Craig needed surgery after injuring his leg while filming action scenes in the Austrian Alps.

Harris, 39, said: “He injured himself on the movie and came straight back after the operation and worked despite being in pain. He continued to do his stunts, despite his pain.

“I’ve seen him work 15-hour days and then come back and train for two hours. He does all of his own stunts unless the insurance won’t allow it.”

Craig reprises his role as the spy for the fourth time in Spectre, which also stars Ralph Fiennes and Monica Bellucci.

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When asked last week if he would return for a fifth film, he told Time Out: “I’d rather break the glass and slash my wrists. I’m over it at the moment. We’re done. All I want to do is move on.”

But Harris, who was born in north London, added: “In terms of who will be the next Bond — I really believe he is the ultimate one and I’m excited to work with him on the next Bond as he is the best.”

Harris spoke at a party at the Mondrian Hotel on the South Bank to launch Sony’s “Made for Bond” range of gadgets, including a RX100 IV digital camera and Xperia Z5 smartphone.

The actress joked: “I think Moneypenny is very good with gadgets but Naomie Harris is not so good — needs a bit of work. But with the guns I was very proficient. Actually my trainer said I was one of the best.

“I did Miami Vice and got gun training and went out with undercover agents and trained with them.”

Other guests at the party included model and presenter Donna Air, Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison, comedian Paddy McGuinness and actors Dexter Fletcher and Jeremy Piven. @SophiaSleigh

Spectre opens on October 26 with the world premiere in London.

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