Another non-007 project for Craig emerges

Daniel Craig and Christoph Waltz in December 2014.

Daniel Craig may star in a limited made-for-cable-television series, VARIETY REPORTED.

The entertainment website posted a story Saturday evening about the project, which represents another non-007 outing for the 47-year-old actor. Here’s an excerpt of the story by Cynthia Littleton:

Showtime is in talks for a big commitment to a limited series starring Daniel Craig in an adaptation of Jonathan Franzen’s novel “Purity,” to be produced by Scott Rudin and written by Todd Field.

Rudin is said to have held a round of meetings with Showtime, Netflix and at least three other outlets earlier this week in search of a straight-to-series order.

Given the auspices, the project generated significant heat and multiple bidders. Industry sources said producers were seeking a 20-episode order but it’s not clear if that is the exact deal under consideration at Showtime. Sources cautioned that the talks were early and other bidders were still in the mix.

Craig already is scheduled to appear in an off-Broadway production of Othello this year, though details of that project, such as precise dates, are sketchy.

Some 007 fans would like Bond 25 to come out in 2017. The exact schedule of the Othello play could affect that, assuming Craig returns for a fifth turn as 007. The cable television production, if it comes to pass, could also.

The actor, following the production of SPECTRE, was non-committal whether he’ll continue in the role. Michael G. Wilson, co-boss of Eon Productions, has said Craig isn’t under contract, though Wilson added he expects Craig will be back for Bond 25.

Craig in a 2012 interview with Rolling Stone made it sound as if he were under contract for two more Bond films. What changed in the interim has never been explained.