Daniel Craig has reportedly leveraged his negotiation skills to secure impressive paydays for his work in indie films, achieving 007-level compensation for his roles. Known for his portrayal of Benoit Blanc in the 2019 hit Knives Out, Craig has reportedly used his expertise to turn what began as a low-budget indie project into a lucrative venture.
An insider shared with In Touch Weekly that when Craig signed on for Knives Out, it was considered a modest indie film with limited financial backing. “When Daniel signed up for the first Knives Out more than five years ago, it was practically a low-budget indie film,” the source explained. However, the film’s unexpected success led to Netflix acquiring the franchise and financing two more installments, which significantly boosted Craig’s earnings to $100 million.
The insider attributed this financial windfall to Craig’s adept negotiation skills honed from his James Bond days. “On the back of his hard-earned Bond fortune — which involved plenty of side jobs and commercials and promotion beyond just the acting and bone-shattering stunts — the Knives Out movies are very relaxing for Daniel,” the confidante added.
Craig’s experience with the Bond franchise has been a crucial factor in his negotiation prowess. “You show up and trade quips with a bunch of funny, famous actors. And Daniel figured out how to get paid 007 prices for these easy, quick ensemble mystery movies he can shoot in two months!” the insider noted. This savvy approach allowed Craig to negotiate high compensation for roles that are less physically demanding compared to his Bond performances.
The source also emphasized that Craig’s Bond experience has made him a formidable negotiator, often leaving producers in suspense about his return. “His Bond experience made him a master negotiator because he always left those producers wondering if he would come back to the role after his initial deal expired. He can do the same thing with Knives — and probably will!”
In summary, Daniel Craig’s ability to secure high pay for indie films like Knives Out highlights his exceptional negotiating skills, leveraging his experience and success from major franchises to enhance his earnings in more relaxed, ensemble roles.
