RAMI MALEK TO PLAY BOND VILLAIN
Fresh from a Best Actor Oscar for his uncanny portrayal of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, American-Egyptian actor Rami Malek, 37, has today been confirmed as a villain in the next James Bond movie, entitled Bond 25, expected for release in April 2020. The star announced the surprise news via video link from New York, with an unnerving speech proving that the decision to cast him as 007's arch nemesis is the right one indeed...
The remaining cast gathered on the island home of Bond writer Ian Fleming for a photo call and Q&A. Asked what the appeal of 007 is after twenty five years, Daniel Craig, who will be playing the MI6 agent for the fifth and final time, said: 'I think consistency, and the movies have been an event, they were a moment'. Alongside the actor were returning cast members Naomie Harris (Eve Moneypenny) and Lea Seydoux (Dr. Madeleine Swann) as well as new Bond girls Ana de Armas (a rising star in Hollywood who made her Tinseltown debut alongside Keanu Reeves in 2015's Knock Knock) and Lashana Lynch (hailing from Hammersmith, she has gone from The Bill to Captain Marvel).
Proving that the franchise is moving with the times there was a clear reflection of diversity with two Jamaican Bond girls and prominent female roles. The question of whether the spy could be a woman or an African American was raised, to which Daniel replied: 'It's the right person for the job', and 'everybody should be considered', and that for women and African Americans 'there should be great parts anyway across the board, it shouldn't have to be Bond'.
Malek is the actor on everyone's lips following a deserved Oscar win and numerous other accolades. Born in Los Angeles to Egyptian immigrant parents, his breakout role came as computer hacker Elliot Alderson in the USA Network series Mr. Robot. His critically acclaimed turn as Parsi Freddie in biopic Bohemian Rhapsody has propelled him to Hollywood superstar status. The portrayal of Mercury from his style to his mannerisms was nothing short of a doppelgänger and I am sure everyone is impatiently waiting for his take on a Bond baddie. From the video, it looks like it is sure to be 'a ride'.