LONDON (Reuters) - The English actor, Daniel Craig, was named as the next James Bond on Friday, ending months of speculation over who would take over from Pierce Brosnan on Her Majesty's secret service.

In typically flamboyant 007 style, the 37-year-old swept up the River Thames on a power launch to a news conference, escorted by Royal Marines boats. Craig promised to bring something new to a role immortalized by earlier incarnations Sean Connery, Roger Moore and Brosnan.

According to franchise producer Michael Wilson, Craig was chosen from a field of more than 200 potential 007s, and the decision took about two years to make. During that time dozens of actors were linked with the part, including Britons Clive Owen and Jude Law, Australia's Hugh Jackman and Croatia's Goran Visnjic.