Bardem bound for Bond?

By Ryan Fleming January 31, 2011

Javier Bardem is on fire right now. Coming off his third Oscar nomination, this time for the film Biutiful, the Spanish actor has been given the unofficial golden ticket to Hollywood, and he is in the enviable position of being able to pick and choose what projects he wants to be part of. That also means that he is, and will continue to receive offers to be part of some of the biggest projects around.

According to a report from Deadline, the newest film that wants to be in the Javier Bardem business is the upcoming James Bond movie. An offer has already gone out to the actor, and the job is Bardem’s if he wants it.

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Although specifics on the role were not revealed, the smart money is on Bardem appearing as a villain opposite Daniel Craig’s Bond. If that is the case, it would likely be a one off appearance in the franchise for Bardem, as Bond villains don’t typically enjoy long life spans. Bardem became something of a household name following his turn as a villain in his Oscar-winning performance as Anton Chigurh, the violent and philosophical hitman in 2007’s No Country For Old Men.

This is the second major role that Bardem has been offered this month. Last week, Bardem was offered the role of Roland in Ron Howard’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series. If he accepts, it will be a significant commitment, as the series would be told in three feature length films and two seasons of a TV show (although the second season would be a flashback story and would have only minor—if any—involvement from the actor that accepts the role of Roland).

Both the role of Roland, and the unnamed role in the new Bond film are Bardem’s if he wants them. With the speed at which both projects are moving, the filmmakers are likely going to be pushing for an answer–one way or the other–in the next few weeks at most.

The next Bond film, which is being called Bond 23 until an official name is chosen, will be directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes and star Craig and Dame Judi Dench. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on November 9, 2012.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Ryan Fleming is the Gaming and Cinema Editor for Digital Trends. He joined the DT staff in 2009 after spending time covering…

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