Daniel Craig has insisted the delayed No Time To Die will be his final James Bond film, amid reports the star was considering another outing as 007.
Craig had been set to appear in his fifth Bond movie next month, but its release was pushed back to November due to the global spread of coronavirus.
While it had been widely believed a new actor would take over following No Time To Die, recent reports suggested Craig was contemplating staying on.
Give it up for Craig. 🙌𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴.#SNL pic.twitter.com/RvvNyoNgpf
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) March 8, 2020
However, he used his hosting gig on Saturday Night Live to confirm it would be his final 007 film.
Craig also used his opening monologue to joke about the influence of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, after the Fleabag creator was drafted in to help on No Time To Die’s script.
“This next James Bond film is going to be my last,” Craig said. “But it’s going to be one of the best. Because we got Phoebe Waller-Bridge from Fleabag come to help with some of the dialogue.”
In a nod to Fleabag’s irreverent breaking of the fourth wall, Craig added: “It’s not going to be that different. Every so often I will turn to the camera and I will say, ‘the name’s Bond, James Bond. Is it bad that I fancy the Pope?’”
Craig – who lives in New York, where SNL is filmed in front of a live studio audience – appeared in his first sketch of the night, which paid homage to Bond’s love of gambling.
However, it was more akin to The Hangover than Casino Royale, with Craig surrounded by rowdy revellers while on a winning streak.
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) March 8, 2020
Craig, often accused of being too serious, had promised he was open to showing off his comedic skills on SNL and stayed true to his word.
One of the night’s sketches featured Craig taking advice from an eccentric vocal coach while preparing for his role as a detective with a southern drawl in acclaimed whodunit Knives Out.
Craig tries out a series of outlandish accents before he and the coach – played by SNL cast member Beck Bennett – end the sketch by vomiting in front of the casting director.
Canadian singer The Weeknd was the musical guest and performed two songs, including his latest hit Blinding Lights.
This week’s SNL cold open segment mocked Fox News presenter Laura Ingraham and featured a cameo from senator Elizabeth Warren, who ended her bid for the White House on Thursday.
She shared a hug with SNL star Kate McKinnon, who regularly plays her in sketches.