Actor Daniel Craig who plays James Bond poses during a photocall at Pinewood Studios to mark the start of production of the 22nd James Bond film, "Quantum of Solace", in Buckinghamshire, north of London January 24, 2008. [Agencies]

Daniel Craig has defended the title of the next James Bond film, insisting the phrase "Quantum of Solace" in integral to the plot.

Fans were left scratching their heads about the film's over-complicated title when it was announced earlier this week, but the actor insists the 22nd installment of the super-spy franchise has the perfect name.

The 39-year-old Brit says, "We could have gone for a snappier title, but that sort of suggests we're insecure about what we're trying to say. The statement is an (Bond creator) Ian Fleming statement. It comes from the idea that in a relationship, if you don't have a quantum of solace left in your relationship, then give up.

"Where Bond is left at the end of the last movie (2006's Casino Royale), his heart's been broken and he doesn't have that quantum of solace, he doesn't have that...closure on what happened in his life and he needs to find out. What is great about it is it also applies to something very important in the plot."

"Quantum of Solace" has been taken from a collection of short stories that were published by Fleming in 1960.