Despite the success and acclaim of the two latest James Bond movies, the future of the franchise (and current series specifically) was on rocky ground for a while; thanks largely to the financial troubles over at MGM Studios (which have now been resolved; thanks to a bankruptcy settlement and buyout); but the rumours of cancellations, and both actor and director replacements, have now stopped; thanks to work finally commencing on Bond 23.
The latest announcement brings word that Javier Bardem (possibly best known for his role as the villain in No Country for Old Men) has been offered a role in the movie as the film’s second male lead; opposite the returning Daniel Craig (the Layer Cake star who will be returning to play the famous martini drinking spy; James Bond; for the third time).
Whilst there’s no word as to exactly what role Bardem has been offered (be it that of another secret agent working with Bond, or the bad-guys role) the second male lead in the Bond movies tend to be that of the villain, and there’s no denying that Bardem’s more than suited to playing a ruthless, global-terrorist, sort.
Sam Mendes (American Beauty) is still attached to direct Bond 23 (which is bound to be properly titled at a later date), and Judi Dench (Mrs Brown) also recently confirmed that she will be making a comeback as M (Bond’s handler, boss, and personal friend), in the film that can no longer hope to meet its original 2011 release date.
Thanks to the trouble over MGM, and the many delays that have resulted from it, Bond fans won’t be seeing Craig back in action this year; but will have to wait until Bond 23 is released on November 9th 2012; but despite the delays, and the gap between this film and the last, the movie (who’s plot still remains largely a mystery) is reported to pick up almost immediately after the events of Quantum of Solace.
