Javier Bardem Offered Big Role in BOND 23

It’s turning out to be a not-so-quiet Sunday. Earlier today, the new Superman was announced, and now it seems that Javier Bardem may be taking on a major role in the next James Bond film. Apparently, Bardem has been offered a starring role in the back-on-track Bond 23 (tentative title, of course). Given that the other lead male role in most Bond films other than Bond himself is a villain, one would assume that Bardem would be portraying a baddie. However, Deadline’s report on the matter has no confirmation on the role he’s been offered at this time, as plot details are being kept under wraps. Just recently, MGM finally got their financing troubles together, putting both The Hobbit and Bond 23 back in commission. Hit the jump for more on Bardem in Bond.

It was recently announced that the next Bond film will be released on November 9^th 2012. Sam Mendes (American Beauty) directs from a script by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and Gladiator screenwriter John Logan. Daniel Craig reprises his role as Bond himself, and Judi Dench has been confirmed to return as M (obviously). Bardem’s got quite a full plate, as he’s also been offered the lead role in Ron Howard’s ambitious The Dark Tower adaptation, and he’s rumored to be joining Andrew Dominik’s Cogan’s Trade with Brad Pitt and Sam Rockwell. It should be noted, however, that Bardem was also offered the villain role in Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, which he eventually turned down, so his involvement with Bond is hardly a sure thing. With that November 2012 release date, it’s presumed that Bond 23 would start filming sometime later this year.