Bye-bye Bond! Daniel Craig set to star in off-Broadway adaption of Shakespeare's Othello opposite Selma star David Oyelowo

Published: 08:15 EST, 20 October 2015 | Updated: 08:32 EST, 20 October 2015

View
comments

He's rumoured to be hanging up his tuxedo and handing in his license to kill.

So it comes as no surprise that Daniel Craig is set to star in a very different production to up-coming Bond film, Spectre, as he prepares to tread the boards in a new production of Othello in New York.

The off-Broadway play will see Daniel take on the role of the manipulative and nefarious Iago in the iconic Shakespeare tragedy, while fellow British thespian David Oyelowo will play the titular role.

Scroll down for video

Bye bye Bond: Daniel Craig is set to star in a very different production to up-coming Bond film, Spectre, as he prepares to tread the boards in a new production of Othello, opposite David Oyelowo, in New York

Returning to the New York theatre for the first time since his box-office success in 2013's Betrayal, starring opposite wife Rachel Weisz, Daniel will take to the stage at the New York Theatre workshop.

According to Variety he will be playing Othello's trusted but devious standard bearer and captain, Iago, and will connive to bring about the downfall of Oyelowo's grand Venetian Captain, Othello.

While Daniel has made two critically acclaimed appearances on Broadway in his career, starring in Betrayal and Keith huff's A Steady rain opposite Hugh Jackman, David is no stranger to success on the stage.

Interstellar star David has set the London theatre scene alight with acclaimed performances in The Suppliants, as well as playing Henry VI in Shakespeare's play of the same name.

Handing back his license to kill: Daniel will be playing Othello's trusted but devious standard bearer and captain, Iago, and will connive to bring about the ruin of Oyelowo's grand Venetian Captain, Othello

Helmed by Tony-winning director Sam Gold, the play will production will debut in the autumn of 2016, with exact dates for the run yet to be confirmed.

Daniel's decision to move away from film work for a run in the play will come as little surprise to fans of the actor, as he recently almost certainly ruled himself out of a return as Bond after Spectre.

Speaking to Time Out earlier this month, when the actor was asked about his possible return in the 25th Bond film, he quipped: 'I’d rather break this glass and slash my wrists.'

His time to shine? Following up on his success in the Oscar-winning Selma, David - who had his first big-break in TV series Spooks - will play Shakespeare's iconic tragic hero, Othello

Daniel added: 'We’re done. All I want to do is move on.'

He said he's not talking with anyone about staying on in Her Majesty's Secret Service but added the caveat that if he were to do another Bond movie, 'it would only be for the money.’

He was paid $10.7 million for Skyfall, making him the highest-paid Bond actor ever, and the film was the first Bond movie to break the one billion dollar mark.

After the success of the 23rd Bond film it was reported he brokered a deal to be paid £31 million for his next two 007 titles, including the soon-to-be-released Spectre, the 24th film in the franchise.

'We’re done. All I want to do is move on': Daniel's decision to move away from film work will come as little surprise to fans of the actor, as he recently almost certainly ruled himself out of a return as Bond after Spectre