For once, there is truth in advertising: The credits proclaim Daniel Craig as "Ian Fleming's James Bond 007," and Craig comes closer to the author's original conception of this exceptionally long-lived male fantasy figure than anyone since early Sean Connery. "Casino Royale" sees Bond recharged with fresh toughness and arrogance, along with balancing hints of sadism and humanity, just as the fabled series is reinvigorated by going back to basics. The Pierce Brosnan quartet set financial high-water marks for the franchise that may not be matched again, but public curiosity, lack of much high-octane action competition through the holiday season and the new film's intrinsic excitement should nonetheless generate Bond-worthy revenue internationally.
Only archaeological connection I can think of: Craig played Alex West in the first Tomb Raider movie, which I thought he did quite well. He was an American in that one and had the whole macho adventurer with a touch of the rogue down pat for that character.
Blatant hit-mongering image:
So all in all, I think he translates rater well to this role:
Frankly, I hope it's all it's portrayed to be, kind of a return to the old Bond form. The best one, IMO, is From Russia With Love. That one had a great villian (RObert Shaw) and wasn't overloaded with gadgets. In fact, perhaps the best scene ever in the Bond line was a fairly simple one that had Shaw and Bond (Connery) in a train compartment with the former pointing a gun at the latter. Shaw just oozed killer in that scene. One of the last times you saw Bond where he was actually in some realistic form of mortal danger.
Of course, the best line from a Bond movie ever was Goldfinger: "No, Mr. Bond! I expect you to die!"
(H/T to Ace of Spades for the link)