New James Bond Daniel Craig received a ringing endorsement from a co-star today.

Caterina Murino, who plays Bond's love interest Solange in Casino Royale, said she was sure Craig would win over those who were critical of his choice for the role.

The Italian actress said Craig had been upset by the volume of criticisms that greeted his selection, but insisted that filming went well and the end product would satisfy film fans when it is released in November.

"He's a great actor," she 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."

Ms Murino said the new Bond film 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," she said. "This is new."

The new film, directed by Martin Campbell, is due for release in the UK on November 17.