In the weeks leading up to the release of Spectre, the 24th official James Bond film, Daniel Craig suggested, with some un-Bond-like infelicity, that he wouldn’t be keen on reprising his role as the dashing superspy after this, his fourth go-round. “I’d rather,” he said, “slash my wrists.” Presumably, after working on the Bond films for the last 38 years as everything from publicist to co-producer, her current role, Barbara Broccoli has been through this dance before.
Despite how these elegant set photos, all taken at London’s Pinewood Studios, may make it appear, “making a James Bond film is tough,” says the daughter of original Bond-film producer Albert “Cubby” Broccoli. She has co-produced all the 007 films since 1995 with her half-brother Michael G. Wilson. “The logistics are a grind,” she says, “but Sam Mendes was directing for the second time, and Léa Seydoux is absolutely mesmerizing as [Bond’s love interest] Dr. Madeleine Swann. In a lot of ways, making the films is like what James experiences in Spectre: You’re put through your paces, but the result is tremendously exciting.” And, she notes, “we’re planning to hang on to Daniel as long as we can.”
Spectre is in theaters November 6.
*This article appears in the November 2, 2015 issue of New York Magazine.