There's A Man Who Lives a Life of Danger

I guess all that talk that Lord Asriel would be played by Paul Bettany was just wishful thinking in the end, eh? Current Bond and blond-as-all-get-out actor Daniel Craig has accepted the role of Lord A in the forthcoming The Golden Compass. My question is, what was wrong with casting the Lord Asriel from the staged production of His Dark Materials? Could there be anyone better than fellow Bond (what is it with Bonds and Asriels switching their roles?) Timothy Dalton?