Casino Royale Cast
Simon Abkarian as Alex Dimitrios
Caterina Murino as Solange Dimitrios
Isaach de Bankolé as Steven Obanno
Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter
Tobias Menzies as Villiers
Claudio Santamaria as Carlos
Sébastien Foucan as Mollaka
Casino Royale Cast and Performances
Casino Royale is one of the most iconic James Bond films, thanks to its thrilling plot and exceptional cast. It was Daniel Craig‘s first outing as the iconic spy, and after much criticism for not being dark haired, he didn’t disappoint.
Daniel Craig’s Bond is often considered the best in the franchise, and he was perfectly suited to the character’s gritty, realistic style. His portrayal of 007 in Casino Royale was a departure from the previous incarnations of the character.
Craig’s Bond was rougher around the edges and less suave, with a more grounded and realistic approach to the character. He brought a new level of intensity and vulnerability to the role, making Bond more human and relatable.
The film goes back to the beginning, a fresh new start if you will, and Bond isn’t even a 00- at the beginning. However, he soon becomes one, creates a few lifelong enemies in his first mission, falls in love, decides to retire with his new love, but as it ends in tragedy, we have the making of James Bond 007.
If you’ve seen On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, this will sound familiar, and the plot for James Bond was similar to George Lazenby’s and his performance was similar to that of Timothy Dalton’s more grounded approach.
The public wasn’t ready for a more realistic and fallible Bond back then, but the critical and commercial success of Casino Royale, proved times are a changing.
Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd was an equally impressive character in the film. Green turned down the casting role at first because of the connotations of Bond girls, but having read the script, she changed her mind.
Green’s portrayal of Vesper is intelligent, strong, and complex, and she certainly is no damsel in distress. She’s a Bond girl who could hold her own and provided a more significant challenge to Bond than most of his previous love interests.
They meet on the train to Montenegro, and the conversation offers some of the film’s most memorable moments, with their banter and flirtation providing a rare moment of light-heartedness in the film.
Watch a documentary on The Making of Casino Royale
As the film develops they fall for each other, and as their barriers begin to tumble the chemistry between Craig and Green is palpable. Vesper’s ultimate fate adds another layer of depth to the character and provided a nice twist at the end of the film, but also means tragedy for Bond.
Mads Mikkelsen’s Le Chiffre was the perfect foil for Bond in Casino Royale. Mikkelsen’s portrayal of Le Chiffre was icy and calculating, making him a formidable opponent for Bond in the poker game and everything going on around it.
The character’s physical disfigurement, which Mikkelsen created by wearing a scar prosthetic, added to his intimidating presence and gave him that classic Blofeld look.
One of the most memorable parts in the film is the scene where Le Chiffre tortures a nude Bond by striking him in the double-0s with a heavy knotted rope. It’s a brutal and uncomfortable scene to watch, but it also highlights Bond’s vulnerability and determination to get the job done.
Mikkelsen’s performance in the film was a standout, and he remains one of the franchise’s most memorable villains.
Giancarlo Giannini’s René Mathis was a welcome addition to the Casino Royale cast as Bond’s contact in Montenegro. Giannini’s performance was charming and provided some much-needed levity to the film.
He turns out to be an informant for the *unknown crime syndicate, but Mathis is a good character, and Giancarlo Giannini plays him to perfection.
*The crime syndicate isn’t mentioned because of copyright issues related to the novel. It is Spectre in its early days, but it couldn’t be named in this film.
Judi Dench’s M was also a standout character in Casino Royale. Dench had played the character in the previous Pierce Brosnan Bond films, but her role was expanded in this film.
M and Bond always enjoy, maybe enjoy isn’t the correct word, a strange relationship. This was Bond back at the start of his career, and he has the gump to break into M’s house, and their conversations, arguments if you like, always offer great viewing and some of the best quotes.
Judi Dench always puts in an inspiring performance no matter what she’s cast as, but after each Bond movie, she cemented herself even further as the M.
Isaach de Bankolé’s Steven Obanno was a memorable villain in the Casino Royale cast. Serving as a leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, Obanno was introduced to Le Chiffre by Mr. White, and he plays a crazed guerrilla to perfection.
Obanno is let down by Le Chiffre after trusting him with his millions, and the scene in which he threatens Le Chiffre and his girlfriend is classic, even if it leads to the character’s death.
Simon Abkarian’s Alex Dimitrios was another interesting villain, and his interactions with Bond and Solange Dimitrios provided a nice twist to the plot.
Claudio Santamaria’s Carlos was a very intimidating character. Akin to Terminator, Carlos’ determination to blow up the Skyfleet airliner is an epic scene, and the twist at the end of it, makes for some good viewing.
Sébastien Foucan’s Mollaka was also a memorable villain. He’s only in a short scene early in the film, but his freerunning skills are on full display in what is one of the most epic scenes in the entire film
Jeffrey Wright stars as Felix Leiter. He’s at the poker game with Bond and Le Chiffre, and although we see him a few times, we don’t know he’s Felix Leiter until he introduces himself to Bond.
Remember this is back to the beginnings, so although Bond and Felix Leiter are best buddies through the series, this is their actual introduction. As ever Leiter helps Bond with his investigation, and Jeffrey Wright plays the part so well he returns as Leiter as part of the Quantum of Solace cast, and was also cast for the same role in the No Time to Die.
Overall, the Casino Royale cast was exceptional, with each actor bringing something unique to their roles. Daniel Craig’s portrayal of James Bond was a fresh take on the iconic character, while Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd was a memorable Bond girl who challenged Bond in ways that few others had.
Mads Mikkelsen’s Le Chiffre was a formidable villain who might not have had a plan of world domination, but did have the looks and skills required of a Bond villain. There’s no Miss Moneypenny in this film, but she does return as Bond settles into his new career in the next films going forward.
Casino Royale remains one of the most memorable and thrilling entries in the Bond franchise, thanks in large part to the exceptional performances of its cast.
