After warming moviegoers’ hearts as Julia Roberts’ endearing beau in “Eat Pray Love,” Javier Bardem — who won an Oscar for his chilling portrayal of a hitman in 2007’s “No Country For Old Men” — will soon play the bad guy once again.
After months of rumors, the Spanish actor, 42, has confirmed he has been cast as the villain for the upcoming 23rd James Bond film, alongside returning Bond stars Daniel Craig and Judi Dench.
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“I am very excited,” Bardem told Christiane Amanpour of joining the famed 007 franchise, during a recent “Nightline” interview. “My parents took me to watch the movies and I saw all of them. So to play that is going to be fun!”
Beyond the casting confirmation, Bardem, who became a father to a baby boy with “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” co-star Penelope Cruz in January, was unable to reveal additional information about his latest role.
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“They chose me to play this man, but I cannot give you many details,” he said.
The next Bond movie, reportedly titled “Skyfall,” is slated for theatrical release on Nov. 9, 2012.
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