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Javier Bardem Just Offered Starring Role in MGM's James Bond 23

by Alex Billington
January 30, 2011
Source: Deadline

We normally don't like posting about news that's just an "offer" especially when it's not confirmed and could potentially fall through, but I'm a James Bond fanatic, so I'm more than happy to cover this exciting news. Deadline is reporting that Spanish actor Javier Bardem, who received an Oscar nomination last week for his performance in Biutiful, has been offered a starring role in James Bond 23, the upcoming Bond movie being directed by Sam Mendes. Everyone should know that a few weeks ago it was confirmed that MGM and EON Productions are finally bringing back Daniel Craig for Bond 23 due in theaters November 9th, 2012.

Here's the thing though, Bardem is also being courted for Ron Howard's adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower series, which would be a massive undertaking if he takes on the lead role of Roland Deschain. Additionally, Bardem is very smart about his casting choices, and was offered the lead "villain" role in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps but turned that down. So there's a chance he could turn this down and leave it for the Dark Tower role instead. Deadline doesn't know anything about his character or the story, but we're guessing it's the lead villain in Bond 23, which would make sense, as this new Bond series with Craig has had mostly foreign actors for villains. MGM is still working on financing, but at least casting is underway.

Related categories: Casting, James Bond, Movie News

Jon

If he takes this, maybe we"ll get lucky and they'll cast Viggo as Roland like they should have in the first place.
Anonymous

I would love to see him and Craig on screen together, be it Bond and Villain or Bond and fellow agent.

Anonymous

The amount of sexy on screen would make my head explode. A risk I am willing to take. Yes, please.

Anonymous

lol.

Anonymous

Now this is a Bardem casting choice I can get behind.
http://twitter.com/Nielsen700 Mattias Nielsen

DO IT!!!
phil

funny how often posts starting with "we don't normally report this kind of thing but we're doing it anyway" are running around here. just be honest and report it right away, too much defense is ridiculous and that added to this policy of deleting posts criticizing your writing is just lame. your ego will be the fall of this website that for a long while is losing its value. lame, Alex, lame....
i have no name

This will be great.
phil

loser, Alex. that's what you are.
R Grant

Man oh man, they could really use Bardem as a villain. The last two guys were a friggin joke, especially that french pole smoker in 'Quantum'. Craig's Bond is extremely intimidating and I think Bardem is a perfect choice to match that kind of intensity.

Craig

Casino Royale's villain was weak, but the rest of the movie was fairly solid; whereas I thought Quantum of Solace was a massive failure across the board. Here's to hoping that this is a step in the right direction for the next movie.

Anonymous

Have to disagree... I though Mads Mikkelsen did a fabulous job as the non-typical bond villain. He was definitely one of the best...especially because he was just the front man to a deeper organization. He was no Blofeld or Scaramanga, but then he wasn't meant to be. A perfect low-level villain for a fledgling Bond.

i have no name

Agreed I love the fact that there was no final showdown between the villain and bond. I hate that its such an overused cliche.

max s.

hello bondo
Craig

He could make a decent Roland, but I'd really love to see him in the new Bond, especially as a villain.
Anonymous

Craig is my favorite Bond (Connery is only slightly behind him) because of his gritty, earthy approach to the character (and the fact that the techno-gadgets are at an absolute minimum). Bardem has that rare ability to morph his appearance and performance so as to be nigh unrecognizable from role to role...something that would make him an ideal Bond villain (I mean, come on...he's simply GOT to be the villain). What an absolutely explosive combination.
http://twitter.com/fungusmonkey Peter Sorensen

Hell yes! Shave him bald and give him a scar over his eye!
Haz

Don't feel bad Alex, about 6 months to a year ago Guillermo Del Toro was directing anywhere between 3-15 movies and ends up not directing any of them.
Boon

Do the smart thing. Choose Roland.
Desispeed

i hope he accepts the offer.....in other sad Bond related news R.I.P. John Barry!
CEO

I'm not a solid supporter for Bardem as a villain here. It would depend on the story. An agent might be cooler in the long run just in case Felix Leiter is left out.