'James Bond 25' News & Update: Daniel Craig to Reprise his Role?

It has been said that Daniel Craig is about to leave his iconic role as the British secret agent in "James Bond" movie series. However, the film producers believed that the 47-year-old star should return for "James Bond 25."

There is an ongoing bidding war in Hollywood for the franchise's distribution rights. But, fans are still looking forward in seeing Daniel Craig sporting the signature black tuxedo for the fifth time.

Moreover, Mark Strong, the friend of Rachel Weisz's husband, hinted that the English actor already deserted the legendary role. At the promotion of his new movie, "The Brothers Grimby, the 52-year-old television personality implied that EON might start looking for a new leading man.

"Do you know what, I'd have loved to have played the villain in a Bond movie while Daniel was doing it because he's a pal and that would have been great," he said in an interview. "But I think he's come to the end of his Bond time and so it's probably never going to happen, but that would have always been great."

Moreover, he was also asked if he could convince Daniel Craig to reprise his James Bond character, but he too thought that it was unlikely to happen. "Well, I will try, believe me, I will do my best. But there are powers at work greater than us who make all these decisions" he explained.

Nevertheless, Strong considered Daniel Craig as one of the most James Bond characters that marked in the minds of the many. "He has been [wonderful] and he's loved it. But I think he feels like he's mined it. He's done what he wants with it," he said.

"That point has come." For the full interview, grab a copy of Shortlist magazine. "Grimsby" is set to hit the theaters on Feb. 26.