Javier Bardem goes bad for Bond role

Javier Bardem is set to play the bad guy again in the next Bond film. Photo / Supplied

Opinion

After many months of speculation, Javier Bardem has finally confirmed that he is playing the villain in the next James Bond movie.

Speaking to ABC's Nightline, Bardem, who snagged an Oscar for his role as psychopathic villain Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men, revealed he's signed up to play Daniel Craig's nemesis in the tentatively-titled Bond 23.

"I'm 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," Bardem told Nightline's Christiane Amanpour.

"They choose me to play this man, but I cannot give you many details."

And he means it. That's your lot.

Check out his interview below:

Bardem, 42, who is married to fellow thesp and Spaniard Penelope Cruz, met with Bond 23 director Sam Mendes about the role back in January.

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, he said: "I'm a huge fan of the James Bond saga. When I was little, I went watching Mr Connery doing James Bond with my father.

"Who in the world would think I'd be in one of those movies?"

Bardem also said he was "intrigued" by what Mendes had to say during their meeting.

"They're changing the whole thing, the whole dynamic," he said.

"I'd be playing Bond's nemesis, yes, but it's not that obvious. Everything is more nuanced. It's very intriguing."

As for other casting choices, Ralph Fiennes is also rumoured to be joining the cast as a second baddie, while young French actress Bérénice Marlohe has been touted as the next Bond girl.

Judi Dench reprises her role as M, while Naomi Harris will play Moneypenny.

Recent reports also suggest that the latest release in the franchise could have a name - Skyfall.

According to Fusible.com, Sony Pictures and MGM, who are financing the film, have been busy snapping up Bond-related website domains.

A brand protection company working on behalf of Sony has registered 15 different URLs, including JamesBond-Skyfall.com and Skyfallthefilm.com, reports the website.

There's been no official word on the movie's title thus far.

Bond 23 is slated for release in November 2012.

Brooding Bardem goes bad-ass for Bond? I'm in, with brass knuckles on.

Do you think he's a good choice?

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