“They’re changing the whole thing, the whole dynamic.” Javier Bardem wasn’t kidding when he spoke to LA Times earlier this week about a possible villain role in Sam Mendes‘ upcoming Bond 23. We can now add another high-profile actor to the ring, for a completely different role.
Daily Mail is reporting that Ralph Fiennes has met with the director for the still-untitled Bond film. The producers chose Fiennes becase “the part is one of extreme complexity and only an actor of great ability and dexterity can take it on — and Ralph’s name is top of our list.” The unknown role is part of a larger ensemble cast according to the report, with “other major names being courted for roles.” Backing Bardem’s statements, a source also described the project as “revolutionary.” Check out his statement below.
It’s the first of a new generation of Bond films, and the ideas Mendes has push the film into darker territory where the characters are modern, mature and challenging.
The only confirmed cast are Daniel Craig and Judi Dench, who will reprise their respective roles when the film starts shooting this fall. As for Fiennes, he will premiere his directorial debut Coriolanus at the Berlin Film Festival and will surely have a big role in the final Harry Potter chapter, coming this summer.
Bond 23 will hit theaters November 9, 2012.
What do you think of the rumored cast so far?