Nolan’s Favorite Bond Is Not Craig or Brosnan

Christopher Nolan Names Timothy Dalton as His Favorite James Bond Actor

In a surprising nod to cinematic history, director Christopher Nolan has revealed his favorite actor in the world of 007. Rather than naming the modern titans Daniel Craig or Pierce Brosnan, the Oscar-winning filmmaker pointed toward a classic figure: Timothy Dalton.

When discussing his cinematic preferences during a promotion for James Bond, Nolan singled out Dalton. He declared that Timothy Dalton is his favorite Bond actor, citing specific films as evidence of the enduring quality of Dalton’s work.

“My favorite Bond actor is Timothy Dalton, and I think The Living Daylights is very, very good. Very, very good. It’s fantastic,” Nolan commented.

Nolan further praised Dalton’s performance in the franchise, noting that films like Licence to Kill have aged exceptionally well. He suggested that while some technical aspects of the climax might be a touch let down, Dalton remained closest to the essence of the Bond character in the book.

This choice may intrigue long-time Bond aficionados. While Daniel Craig and Pierce Brosnan dominate recent popularity surveys among modern 007 stars, Timothy Dalton only appeared twice in the Bond filmography, in The Living Daylights and Licence to Kill.

When asked if he had finally moved past his own Bond ambitions, Nolan admitted that the franchise continues to inspire him. He suggested that thinking about large-scale action cinema naturally leads back to foundational cinematic experiences: Star Wars, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and, of course, James Bond.

Ultimately, Nolan concluded that for him, these classic adventure films—those that took him into different realms as a kid—are what truly define the spirit of Bond. For Christopher Nolan, the magic of 007 remains rooted in the enduring appeal of classic action cinema.