Daniel Craig sexy as new Bond: Co-star

LONDON: Hunky English actor Daniel Craig will dazzle as the new James Bond because he is sizzlingly sexy in love scenes and looks like a genuine killer, co-star Caterina Murino insisted on Wednesday.

The Italian actress, who plays Bond's love interest Solange in the forthcoming film "Casino Royale", said she was convinced Craig was the right man for the role as the fictional British superspy.

Craig, 38, has come in for criticism for his un-Bond-like blond looks and monosyllabic media launch as the secret service agent.

"He's a great actor," Murino said.

"'Casino Royale' is the first book Ian Fleming wrote and it means we see how James Bond became James Bond.

"Daniel is giving to this James Bond something else we never saw before. When he's going to kill someone, he looks like a real killer, when he kisses me, when he makes love, he's so sexy. You never saw a James Bond like this."

Murino said the 21st film in the legendary series would be more violent and less playful than its predecessors.

"This James Bond doesn't look like a little cartoon like before, like the last one or so charming and playful like the first James Bond. This is new," she said.

"Casino Royale" will be released worldwide on November 17.