# In 2001, Daniel Craig gave an “absolutely terrible” audition. 11 years later, it paid off to the tune of $1,000,000,000

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-2001-daniel-craig-gave-an-absolutely-terrible-audition-11-years-later-it-paid-off-to-the-tune-of-1000000000/
- Published: 2026-11-04T09:00:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-06T03:09:03+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/2001-daniel-craig-gave-absolutely-terrible-audition/
- Topics: Music

## Key points

- Craig’s audition for *Road to Perdition* went badly.
- Mendes cast him despite the poor reading.
- Craig later helped bring Mendes to *Skyfall*.

## Summary

Daniel Craig’s poor audition for director Sam Mendes’s 2002 film *Road to Perdition* did not end their professional relationship. Mendes saw Craig’s energy and charisma despite his awkward line reading, cast him as mobster Connor Rooney, and later became the director of *Skyfall* after Craig suggested him for the job.

The article says Craig disliked auditioning in sterile rooms and performed better in real settings. Years later, after seeing Craig on Broadway, Mendes asked who would direct the next Bond film; Craig proposed Mendes, who was then introduced to producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson. Mendes directed *Skyfall*, which became the first Bond film to earn more than $1 billion.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.