Forming a strong bond

Now, with Craig successfully wrapping up his final mission, one of the most debated topics is who will take on the legendary 007 character. In the film, British actress Lashana Lynch appears as the next agent to bear the iconic code name, but the designation comes with a lot of baggage and big shoes to fill.

"I believe that anybody can play 007. I kind of feel, and sort of maintain, that there should be better writing for non-Caucasian people. If this is a good trigger point for getting better parts for people of color and for women, then it's great," says Craig.

The luxury Omega watch and the iconic 1963 Aston Martin DB5 sports coupe that have become synonymous with the character return in No Time to Die, and fans will be satisfied with more high-tech gadgets featuring in the new movie than in Craig's previous four Bond outings.

On that point, Craig, a nostalgic person, reveals his favorite Bond gadget is a little box used by Connery in 1967's You Only Live Twice, which would attach to a safe and lights indicated when the correct combination had been achieved. "Then, you'll understand how technologically savvy I am," Craig jokes.

Being Bond is not easy, and that's probably also true for his enemies. Rami Malek, who plays the villainous Safin, following Craig in talking to Chinese media via video call, reveals his first reaction when he heard that he was invited to join the franchise.

"As an audience member watching Casino Royale, I remember thinking: 'Wow! I'm connecting to this character in a way that I never have before.' So, I also thought: 'Oh! It's going to be very sad when I have to take this man down.' But those are the rules when you play a villain, and I take them very seriously," he says.