Working with Sam Mendes on 'Spectre' has made Daniel Craig very happyLos Angeles, Nov 15(AZINS) Daniel Craig may have fuelled speculation about the possibility of not returning as James Bond but the actor says embodying the popular character in four movies has taken him to great places.

Craig, who is credited for introducing a more physical and vulnerable aspect to the 007 agent, had recently kicked up headlines by saying that he has had enough of the character.

However, in a chat with journalists while promoting the movie in Cancun, Mexico this June, the 47-year-old actor seemed nostalgic about his journey from Casino Royale to the latest Spectre.

"I genuinely try not to think about it at all (playing Bond), just so I can live as normal a life as possible... but it's been extraordinary and it's taken me to places, most incredible places that I never would have gone to, and met and worked with brilliant people and still am," Craig said.

The actor is happy to collaborate with director Sam Mendes again on Spectre after they worked on Skyfall. "When I started shooting these movies, it was a huge eye-opener for me. I'd never been involved with anything and I'm in a very good place. I'm working with a friend who's come back and done the next movie and that makes me very happy."

Craig has romanced some of the most beautiful women as Bond and is happy to work with Italian star Monica Bellucci. "We've been blessed with an amazing cast and Monica is part of that and she's an extraordinary actress. She's wonderful to work with. She's incredibly kind and generous and we're just very, very lucky to have her."

He has suffered many injuries while working on the action sequences of these movies, latest being a knee injury during the shooting of Spectre that reportedly halted the production for some time. Craig said their endeavor has always been to rely on real action over CGI.

"We just have to be better than everybody else... We try and do everything for real. And where we can't we're very sparing of CGI."

Spectre, the 24th James Bond film, produced by Albert R Broccoli's EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is set for release in India this Friday in English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.

Oscar winner Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris, Lea Seydoux, Monica Bellucci, Dave Bautista and Andrew Scott also star in the movie.