Naomie Harris: 'Daniel Craig is a better actor - and Sean Connery would acknowledge that': Former Bond girl Honor Blackman claims current 007 eclipses iconic co-star

Tuesday 7 April 2015

'Daniel Craig is a better actor - and Sean Connery would acknowledge that': Former Bond girl Honor Blackman claims current 007 eclipses iconic co-star

PUBLISHED: 16:49, 7 April 2015 | UPDATED: 17:28, 7 April 2015

She made her name in The Avengers and, later, the 007 franchise.

But former Bond girl Honor Blackman has proved there's absolutely no sentimentality in business - especially showbusiness.

The 89 year-old star, who played Pussy Galore in 1964's Goldfinger, has claimed Daniel Craig is better at playing the suave spy than her handsome co-star Sean Connery.

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Controversial? 89 year-old Honor Blackman, who played Pussy Galore in 1964's Goldfinger, has claimed Daniel Craig is better at playing the suave spy than her handsome co-star Sean Connery

Commenting on Craig's interpretation of Bond - which will be seen again in new movie 'Spectre' - she told The Mirror: 'I'm sorry to say he's a better actor - but I think Sean would acknowledge that. I think Dan is terrific. He's capable of so much more.'

Comparing the two actors' portrayals, Honor added: 'Sean was perfection as Bond only as Ian Fleming wrote it. He was a Mr Universe entrant, he was handsome and very, very, sexy and had that ridiculous accent.

'Now it's no longer like Ian Fleming, it's more like 'The Bourne Identity'. It's a different kind of film. But that doesn't make any difference to the fact they're super films and Daniel is probably the best actor that ever played Bond.'

Best-ever? Liverpool-born Daniel Craig replaced Pierce Brosnan as agent 007 in 1996

The original and best? 'I'm sorry to say he's a better actor - but I think Sean would acknowledge that,' she said.

The controversial comments will no doubt anger fans of the long-running film franchise, which remains one of the most popular in world history.

Ironically, she added that Ian Fleming - who created Bond - was a misogynist, but insists that any future incarnation of the 007 actor must be 'very attractive'.

She added the caveat in relation to whether a person of colour could take on the role of the secret agent, which she believes is a given because the role has evolved so much.

Flashing some flesh: Craig pictured emerging from the ocean in THAT iconic 007 scene...

Beautiful: Honor remains a timeless beauty from her 1964 Bond performance as Pussy Galore

Good working relationship, then? Pussy and 007 certainly enjoyed a strong chemistry - which saw them 'bond'

Honor's views come shortly after Sir Roger Moore sparked controversy by wading into the debate.

Interviewed in the new Paris Match magazine he is asked about the widely mooted idea of black British actor Idris Elba becoming the next 007.

'A few years ago, I said that [black actor] Cuba Gooding Jnr would make an excellent Bond, but it was a joke!' replies Sir Roger, 87, who starred in seven Bond movies between 1973 and 1985.

'Although James may have been played by a Scot, a Welshman and an Irishman, I think he should be "English-English",' he continues.

'Nevertheless, it's an interesting idea, but unrealistic.'