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Sony/MGM Aiming at Oscar Nom Chiwetel Ejiofor for Bond 24 Villain
by Alex Billington
April 4, 2014
Source: The Wrap
"No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die!" Oooh now this sounds nearly perfect. A number of Hollywood trades, including Variety/The Wrap, are reporting that MGM/Sony is looking at Oscar nominated actor Chiwetel Ejiofor for a villain role in the next James Bond movie. Casting and pre-production is underway on Bond 24, as it's currently known since they haven't revealed a title, but we do know Sam Mendes and of course Daniel Craig are back as director and 007, respectively. Their "sources" say that Ejiofor "is the top choice to play the villain" but no offer has been made and scheduling would need to work out before it's confirmed.
While we're eager to report this news, lest we remind you that it is very way too early to report this, but it seems like they're intent on getting Chiwetel Ejiofor for the villain role in the end. Skyfall, the last Bond, starred Javier Bardem as the villain, with Mathieu Amalric and Mads Mikkelsen as the villains in the movies before that one. Bond 24 will bring back Daniel Craig, along with Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Naomie Harris. Other plot details are currently unknown. Officially, Bond 24 is set for release on November 6th, 2015, so they've got more than a year, but production needs to be scheduled by the end of the year. It's likely we'll be hearing plenty more about this film, the villain role, and Ejiofor's involvement, soon enough.
It should be noted that Chiwetel Ejiofor's big mainstream breakout was in 2004 when he appeared as the villain in theSerenity movie from 2005, directed by Joss Whedon. Ejiofor received an Oscar nomination this year for his exceptional lead performance in Steve McQueen's 12 Years a Slave, which went on to win Best Picture anyway. He was also mentioned as one of our choices for Lex Luthor. In addition to Serenity and 12 Years, Ejiofor has appeared in Kinky Boots, Inside Man, Children of Men, Talk to Me, American Gangster, Redbelt, Endgame, 2012, Salt, Half of a Yellow Sun and is filming Z for Zachariah now. Stay tuned to see.
20 Comments
1
That is just awesome.
OfficialJab on Apr 4, 2014
2
Dont forget his best role, playing Victor Sweet in the movie "Four Brothers"
Al Apone on Apr 4, 2014
3
Not to mention, most people actually consider "Victor Sweet" as his actual breakthrough role... Serenity was less seen at the time.
Carlos Martinez on Apr 5, 2014
4
Loved him in Serenity, this is a great idea. He plays an excellent villain.
grimjob on Apr 4, 2014
5
Cold and calculated, just what you need in a Bond villain.
Jon Odishaw on Apr 4, 2014
6
Exactly.
grimjob on Apr 5, 2014
7
Great choice. I know he'll do justice to the role.
Rock n Rollllll on Apr 4, 2014
8
This and the Kebbell/Doom signing, brilliant. Great week for casting.
si1ver on Apr 4, 2014
9
Meh, Sony's choises have never been the best.
Guest on Apr 5, 2014
10
I hope they keep him British.
DAVIDPD on Apr 5, 2014
11
He would make a great 00 turned villain, but that would be to similar to Skyfall.
Steven on Apr 7, 2014
12
He was an exceptionally two-faced villain in Children of Men as well, he'll be perfect as Bond's nemesis.
MattPeloquin on Apr 6, 2014
13
Instead of looking for a new villain, they should look for a new director. Skyfall was a joke.
Payne by name on Apr 7, 2014
14
Damn fine joke since it's the current highest grossing Bond movie. I think the majority will be ok with keeping the current set up.
Steven on Apr 7, 2014
15
Box office is not always relevant to quality.
Payne by name on Apr 7, 2014
16
Can't fault that statement. 🙂
Steven on Apr 7, 2014
17
What is your favourite Bond film just out of interest?
Payne by name on Apr 8, 2014
18
The Living Daylights with Dalton. I grew up watching them on TV, though began watching them at the cinema with Brosnan. However, Dalton brought to life for me the gritty nature of the spy business. Out of Craig's three films so far I would pick QoS. CR didn't reach my expectations in the first act (wanted to see Bond as a commander in the SBS), and the third act of Skyfall felt out of place. What was yours ?
Steven on Apr 8, 2014
19
Excellent choice to that man. That is one of my favourites. Some great moments and great scenes. The opener with the HALO jump over the rock and Bond's first on screen head butt are classic. As is the fight between Necros and the other agent in the kitchen, the snow scene with the cello and a flavour of angry, vengeful Bond when Dalton pops that balloon. A bond that I've always wanted to see. For me, it would have to OHMSS. I know George has his critics but I liked his physicality, his poise and his charm when wooing the girls in the resort (especially his admission that the second will have to be an inspiration - even Bond gets tired in the sack). There is something special (to me) of his relationship with Tracy and the wonderful montage set to Louis Armstrong. What I really love though is that Bond is usually so resourceful, so determined but at the ice rink he asks for help and he asks for that help from the woman he loves. I'm a bitter cynic but even that touches my heart. Obviously the end is well documented and I so wish that he'd gone on to do another. I'd love to have seen a Bond that was lost, distraught and wanted to see the world burn.
Payne by name on Apr 8, 2014
20
I agree George wasn't really given a chance to prove himself, much like Dalton. I think A View to a Kill would of been great with Dalton at the helm, Moore was to old for the part even though he still oozed charm.
Steven on Apr 8, 2014
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