Daniel Craig Confirmed for Cowboys And Aliens

A few weeks ago we told you about Robert Downey Jr.’s decision to leave the upcoming sci-fi Western Cowboys & Aliens, and shortly after his exit, rumors sprang up that Bond star Daniel Craig was in negotiations to take over his role. According to Deadline Hollywood Daily, it’s no longer a speculation, but fact as Craig has signed a deal to star in the Dreamworks, Universal production.

In the film Craig will star as Zeke Jackson, and the story will center on outer-space creatures who land in Arizona circa the mid-19th century intent on enslaving the local population — until a group of cowboys and Apache Indians fight back. Jackson is the revolt leader and a very talented gunman. The property is based off the comic book of the same name and has been adapted for the big screen by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman.

Downey opted out of the film to take on the fast tracked sequel for Sherlock Holmes, which also caused its director Guy Ritchie to drop his other pending project, Lobo. Apparently, Warner Bros. has something over those guys to make them want to give up on other promising properties. It will be interesting to see if Craig and Jon Favreau’s directing style will mesh for Cowboys & Aliens. He and Downey have a great personal and professional relationship, but Craig is different kind of actor.

Let’s see if the actor can pull off the role, and make us believe that he’s a native of the American west. If you vaguely remember his accent in the borefest Tomb Raider, you know it didn’t sound that great.

What do you think of Daniel Craig taking on the lead in Cowboys & Aliens? Do you think he can pull it off?