Rami Malek Aims to Play James Bond Villain
Bohemian Rhapsody star Rami Malek was reported to be in final negotiations to appear as the main villain in the 25th James Bond movie from Eon Productions.
Malek, who won this year’s Best Actor Oscar for his depiction of Freddie Mercury in the Queen biopic, has only one other commitment on his schedule after the completion of the fourth season of Mr. Robot: the voice role of Chee-Chee in next year’s movie The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle.
The working title of the new Bond film is rumored to be Shatterhand, and it could be Daniel Craig’s final outing as the British spy. Malek's name has surfaced earlier, but his participation wasn't thought possible since the movie’s shooting schedule conflicted with Mr. Robot's. But Collider quoted “well-placed sources” saying the problem had been resolved.
“There is no deal quite yet, but one is expected,” the report said. “The sides just wanted to wait and see whether Malek would win the Oscar, which would, of course, raise his quote.”
Details are sparse on the character he’ll play, though various reports suggest it will be a North African character who may be blind. The follow-up to 2015’s Spectre will be Craig’s fifth appearance as James Bond. It’s being directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, after Danny Boyle vacated the role last year; its latest predicted release date is April 8, 2020.
Last year Malek admitted the Bohemian Rhapsody offer had been a “gun-to-the-head moment,” telling the Guardian, “I like to think if it’s a fight or flight situation, I’m going to fight. The scariest endeavors that I’ve chosen to take in my like have been the most fulfilling and rewarding. And this has proven to defend that equation.”