Hot off his Oscar win forBohemian Rhapsody,Rami Malekis in final negotiations to play the villain oppositeDaniel Craigin writer-directorCary Joji Fukunaga’sBond 25, well-placed sources tell Collider.
Varietypreviously reported that Malek was being eyed for the gig, but said his shooting schedule for the final season ofMr. Robotconflicted with theBond 25shoot, and that he was never formally offered the part by Eon. Sources tell Collider, however, that Malek’s team at WME has successfully negotiated his shooting schedule to accommodatebothproductions. There is no deal quite yet, but one is expected to make – the sides just wanted to wait and see whether Malek would win the Oscar, which would, of course, raise his quote.
There aren’t really any character details available, though the villain has been rumored to be a blind man. Moroccan actorSaid Taghmaoui(Wonder Woman) has previously said thathe was under considerationto play theBond 25villain whenDanny Boylewas directing the film. Malek is of Egyptian descent, so I assume the script calls for a villain from Northern Africa.
Lea Seydouxis confirmed to return as psychologist Madeleine Swann, whileSpectreactorsNaomie Harris,Ben WhishawandRalph Fiennesare also slated to reprise their roles.Scott Z. Burnswas recently tapped to rewrite Fukunaga’s script, and Collider’s sources have echoed reports out of the U.K. that have thedirector eyeingMalek’s fellow Oscar winnerLupita Nyong’ofor a key role, though it’s unclear whether the actress has any interest in joining theBondfranchise. Eon’sBarbara BroccoliandMichael G. Wilsonare producingBond 25, which is expected to be Craig’s last as 007.
It should be noted thatMr. Robotis produced by Universal Cable Productions, and Universal Pictures is handling international distribution onBond 25, which will hit U.S. theaters on August 03, 2025 via MGM and Annapurna’s new joint venture United Artists Releasing. Our own esteemed editor-in-chief Steve ‘Frosty’ Weintraub confirmed production has been pushed from March to April. We’re not saying that shift was to accommodate Malek, but I think it certainly helped the situation. SinceMr. Robotis supposedly shooting until July, it’s possible Malek’s scenes inBond 25will be back-loaded, since the shoot is expected to last many months, and tentpole productions are rarely filmed in a linear fashion.
In addition to his impressive turn asFreddie MercuryinBohemian Rhapsody, Malek recently starred oppositeCharlie Hunnamin an underrated remake ofPapillon. You’ll be able to hear him as the voice of Chee-Chee in Universal’sRobert Downey Jr.movieThe Voyage of Doctor Dolittle. Malek is represented by WME and Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and representatives for the actor did not respond to multiple requests for comment over the past 48 hours.
MGM declined to comment.
