Meet the new James Bond

Ending months of speculation, 37-year-old blond-haired British actor Daniel Craig was unveiled as the new James Bond, replacing Pierce Brosnan in the role of the suave spy in 'Casino Royale' due in theatres next year.

Craig, the blue-eyed star of gangster film 'Layer Cake', arrived at a press conference here by speedboat to be confirmed as the next 007.

He is the first blond James Bond and only the second Englishman to star as agent 007 in the movie series.

"It's something else. I'm a bit speechless," Craig, who will be the sixth James Bond, said.

He admitted that taking over the role would be a big responsibility but "I've just got a step up to the plate and deal with it".

Production of 'Casino Royale' is due to start in January and Director Martin Campbell has said it will be "tougher, grittier and more realistic".

"Daniel is a superb actor who has all the qualities needed to bring a contemporary edge to the role," 'Broccoli and Campbell', the company which produces the bond films, said in a statement.

Craig said, "together with martin, I just want to make the best film I can. It's not a question of redefining, but taking it somewhere it's never gone before."

Producer Michael G Wilson said they had considered 200 actors from around the world before settling on Craig.

Craig's first major role was in the BBC two drama our friends in the north in 1996 and he rose to prominence in Hollywood along side tom hanks in 'road to perdition' in 2002. His other films included 'the mother' and 'enduring love.'

Craig has since played poet Ted Hughes opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in 'Sylvia'. He is also to appear in Steven Spielberg's new drama 'Munich'.

'Casino Royale', an adaptation of author Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel, will be directed by golden eye film-maker Martin Campbell. In the book, the spy was introduced as a more youthful and cold character than the films.

Screenwriter Paul Haggis said bond would be reinvented as a younger character with no gadgets. Brosnan, who appeared in four Bond films, is now 52.

Speculation over who will play 007 was rampant since the last bond movie 'Die Another Day', which came out in 2002.

Big stars such as Clive Owen, Ewan Mcgregor, Jude Law and Colin Farrell were all named as possible contenders.

Craig will follow in the footsteps of Pierce Brosnan, Sir Sean Connery, Sir Roger Moore, George Lazenby and Timothy Dalton.