Javier Bardem, who crafted one of the most chilling screen villains in recent memory with his Oscar-winning turn in No Country For Old Men, has confirmed that he’s taking on another nefarious role: Bond villain. Rumors have circulated for months that the once-and-forever Anton Chigurh was circling the latest Bond movie, known for now only as Bond 23, which will mark Daniel Craig’s third time in the role. Oscar-winner Sam Mendes (American Beauty) will direct.
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Bardem finally gave an official confirmation in the Nightline interview above—and towards the end, so you have to sit through all the stuff about his activism, which was probably on purpose. But here’s the long and short of it:
I am very excited, because my parents took me to watch the movies, and I saw all of them, so to play that is going to be fun. They chose me to play this man, but I cannot give you many details.
So Mr. Bardem won’t give up the skinny on the plot or his character or anything. Man, at a time like this, we could really use a good Bond villain to coax that information out of him. Or perhaps a terrifying coin-flipper with Prince Valiant hair.
Bardem’s co-stars will reportedly include not only Craig but Ralph Finnes, Naomi Harris, and (of course) Dame Judi Dench. Previous actors of note to play Bond villains include Christopher Walken, Donald Pleasance, Telly Savalas, Robert Carlyle, Jonathan Price, Christopher Lee, and Joe Don Baker, aka “Mitchell.” Bond 23 is slated for release in November of 2012, so they should probably start shooting it one of these days.
[via /Film]