Javier Bardem is a popular man right now. He’s already in the mix as a possible Roland Deschain for Ron Howard’s ambitious take on The Dark Tower, and now it appears that the EON team are eager for him to take a hefty role in the 23rd Bond film alongside Daniel Craig.
Deadline reports that MGM and regular Bond producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are looking to snag Bardem as the likely second male lead of the movie. And while we could definitely see him playing a villainous type in the high echelons of the Quantum organisation, there’s no confirmation yet on what the part might actually be – for all anyone outside of EON knows, he could be another intelligence type who helps Bond out, or another, more mysterious player in the world of 007. If we had our choice, though, we’d put him as a formidable challenge to Daniel Craig’s hero.
Ever since MGM finally got things sorted out and set a November 9, 2012 release date, the pieces of the new Bond have started to slowly draw together Sam Mendes is still attached to direct the script from Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan; and Judi Dench confirmed last week that she’ll return as M. Despite the longer break between this film and the last one, the story apparently picks up almost immediately after the events of Quantum of Solace.
If the idea appeals to you, don’t get your hopes up too quickly: Bardem has turned big roles down before and, as, mentioned, he’s a man with plenty of choices. Plus there’s a certain infant (the child he just had with Penelope Cruz) who has a high-profile role for him: dad…