Javier Bardem tapped as Bond villain
Javier Bardem, an Oscar winner for playing a chilling, maniacal killer, is set to become a baddie of a whole new order: a James Bond villain.
The Spanish actor, whose turn in No Country for Old Men earned him an Academy Award, revealed that he has signed on to join the cast of the forthcoming 007 instalment.
"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," he said during an interview with ABC's Nightline, confirming rumours that had been swirling for months.
"They choose me to play this man, but I cannot give you many details," said Bardem, who is married to fellow Spanish actor and Oscar winner Penelope Cruz.
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The next film about the famed British spy, tentatively called Bond 23, is slated to open in theatres in November 2012.
Daniel Craig, who starred in 2008's Quantum of Solace, will reprise his role as the dashing and dangerous superspy James Bond. Filmmaker Sam Mendes (known for films like American Beauty and Road to Perdition) will direct.
The film's production was halted in April 2010 due to uncertainty over the financial future of its distributor, film studio Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. MGM ultimately signed a merger deal with Spyglass Entertainment and restructured its finances.