2s. “HE’S JUST A SPY!” Those were the exact words Daniel Craig uttered at the Bond 26 press conference, and the entire audience erupted. 007 fans started to argue heatedly: some thought Craig was being angry, others thought he was protecting his legacy. Craig appeared cold and disdainful of what Henry Cavill was about to bring to this iconic role. Just ten minutes after the event ended, Henry Cavill posted a comment of just ten words, but it was enough to make Craig blush and… See more -2s

James Bond’s story has always been accompanied by glamor, mystery and passionate debates. But rarely a press conference has generated as much controversy as the official presentation of Bond 26, the film that will mark a new stage in the most iconic franchise of British cinema. Everything happened when Daniel Craig, the actor who gave life to 007 for more than fifteen years, pronounced with apparent coldness three words that exploded the room: “It is only a spy.”

The phrase, thrown dry and without nuances, was interpreted as a direct dart towards his successor Henry Cavill, who was in the center of all eyes. Bond’s followers began to divide immediately: some claimed that Craig was resentful of losing the role that catapulted him to cinematographic immortality; Others defended him by ensuring that his intention was to protect the essence of a character who always considered his own. The truth is that the tension was palpable, and Craig’s reaction did not leave anyone indifferent.

During the conference, Cavill maintained a measured smile, aware that any gesture could become a holder. He had speculated for years about his name as an ideal candidate to embody Bond: his classic bearing, his British charism and his international popularity seemed to fit with the DNA of the saga. However, see Craig, so cold and almost disdainful, questioned the alleged harmonious transition that the producers had wanted to sell.

The international press reacted in a matter of minutes. The headlines spoke of “spy war”, “Craig against Cavill” or “The betrayal of the old 007”. In social networks, fans began to take sides. Some shared clips edited with the exact moment in which Craig pronounced the phrase, subtitled in capital letters, while others defended Cavill with messages of encouragement and the #mybond label.

But what really turned on the final fuse happened just ten minutes after the conference. Henry Cavill, in a calculated but devastating movement, posted on his social networks a comment of just ten words. Although he did not reveal exactly what he said, the brevity and forcefulness of the message were enough to make Daniel Craig himself blush, as confirmed by several sources present in the room. The effect was immediate: millions of interactions, endless debates and a real digital earthquake that multiplied the expectation for the film by a thousand.

The interpretations about those ten words shot. Some believed that it was an elegant wink, almost ironic, in which Cavill remembered that Bond was always “more than a spy, a symbol.” Others claimed that it was a personal message towards Craig, demonstrating that the new 007 was not willing to be intimidated by the shadow of the past. Be that as it may, the play turned Cavill into a world Trending topic and consolidated the idea that Bond’s new era was going to be marked by public confrontation and emotions to the flower.

The producers, far from turning off the controversy, seemed to take advantage of it. The next day, the promotional campaign of Bond 26 began to circulate with a new slogan that many interpreted as a response to the clash between actors: “It’s not just a spy. It’s Bond.” With this phrase, the study sought to recover control of the story and, at the same time, keep the fire alive in the discussions that benefit the marketing of a blockbuster.

Daniel Craig’s legacy as Bond is assured. His films redefined the secret agent, providing him with vulnerability, depth and humanity. However, the future already belongs to Henry Cavill, who now loads with the responsibility of seducing a divided but expectant audience. And although the debate will continue for months, no one doubts that this moment at the press conference will remain as one of the most tense and memorable moments in the recent history of spy cinema.

Bond 26 has not yet been released, but thanks to three words, an icy look and a comment of just ten words, the film is already one of the most commented cultural phenomena of the year.