Spectre gets Day of the Dead premiere with Daniel Craig in Mexico

Leading actor Daniel Craig waxed poetic about the apocalyptic opening scenes in the James Bond flick Spectre, as the film prepared its regional premiere in Mexico City where some of those parts were shot.

Fittingly, Craig showed up in Mexico on Sunday for Monday's premiere, held during the country's Day of the Dead holiday.  

The movie's opening sequence features a sort of Day of the Dead celebration, with skeleton and skull costumes and floats. Then, in classic Bond style, the real fireworks start.

The British actor told The Associated Press in an interview Sunday that "we have buildings collapsing, we have helicopters, and I'm walking on the top of buildings and running to the streets" in the opening sequence.

Craig says "there are so many things that have to come together to work and it's a testament to the people who work on this film that they did so beautifully."

The film is directed by Sam Mendes and was filmed in March in Mexico City, one of several locations. The film opened in Great Britain on Oct. 26, and is set to open in the United States, Canada and the rest of Latin America on Friday.

• Spectre, latest 007 film, has glitzy premiere in London

Spectre, which has received largely positive reviews, has already set several U.K. box office records, including racking up £41 million (about $82.7 million Cdn) as the new movie with the biggest first week of opening.

Bond hits the red carpet in London

9 years ago

Duration 1:45

Stars and celebrities mix it up at world premiere of latest James Bond adventure Spectre

Spectre also features Mexican actress Stephanie Sigman, who Craig called a "beautiful actress, really good actress."

He added, "I think she plays a very memorable part in a very memorable scene."

The 47-year-old actor has been playing Agent 007 since his debut in 2006 in Casino Royale. After nine years with the character, Craig said "I don't judge him at all.

• Daniel Craig won't say if Spectre is his 007 swan song

"I just think he's an incredibly interesting part to play and I derive immense pleasure from doing it. You know, it's hard work but anything worthwhile is hard work," Craig said.

"I play James Bond, but when I go home I don't think about it."