From Queen to James Bond, it would appear that Rami Malek is crossing off some major items on his British film bucket list.
According to Variety, Malek is in discussions to play the villain in the upcoming “Bond 25,” directed by Cary Fukunaga. No real information is known about the role, other than the fact that after his Oscar win last Sunday, producers are really excited about working out a deal that would allow the actor to film ‘Bond’ while also finishing up the final season of “Mr. Robot.”
As mentioned, Malek is probably best known for his roles in the TV series “Mr. Robot” and for his Oscar win in the film “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Having dabbled in major movies in the past, the Oscar winner is no stranger to high-profile gigs. However, being the villain in a ‘Bond’ film would no doubt be the biggest project he’s ever been attached to.
The report also states that Billy Magnussen is also in talks to appear as a CIA operative that crosses paths with Daniel Craig’s James Bond in the film. While Magnussen is far from a household name at this point, the actor has had some standout roles lately, albeit on the comedy side of things. His role in the hugely underrated “Game Night” was a clear star-making performance, and he’s shown up in recent comedies like “The Oath.” He’s also had supporting roles in “Velvet Buzzsaw” and the Fukunaga-directed Netflix series “Maniac.” That being said, if he lands a major role in ‘Bond 25,’ expect Magnussen to become a massively popular actor moving forward.
Producers are also on the hunt for not one, but two “Bond Girls” for the film. One is expected to be on the villainous side of things, while the other will play another operative in the film. No actresses have been named for these roles yet.
Production is expected to ramp up shortly for ‘Bond 25,’ which has been the subject of many delays and drama. The latest news puts Scott Z. Burns in the writer’s chair for the film, starting with a new script. This would mark approximately the 4,165th script to be written for the film, as “Bond 25” seems to go through writers and directors as quickly as the main character cycles through new lady friends.
As of now, “Bond 25” is expected to hit theaters February 14, 2020. But at this point, let’s write that on the calendar in easily-erasable pencil and not pen, okay?