James Bond 25: ‘Bohemian Rhapsody Freddie Mercury star Rami Malek eyed for VILLAIN role’

Shooting on James Bond 25 kicks off in March, with new director Cary Fukunaga still working on the script. And while the plot is heavily under wraps, a few details are now beginning to seep through. Firstly, Lea Seydoux is reprising her Spectre role as Madeleine Swann. The Bond girl was last seen driving off into the sunset with 007 at the end of the last film.

While franchise regulars Ralph Fiennes (M), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny) and Ben Whishaw (Q) are also returning, it looks like producers are on the look out for the main villain.

Variety reports: “According to insiders, Rami Malek was being eyed for the villain role.”

The Bohemian Rhapsody star has just been nominated for a Golden Globe after his incredible performance as Freddie Mercury in the Queen biopic.

However, it looks like it’s going to be hard to get Malek on board due to other filming commitments.

The outlet continued: “But his schedule on the last season of Mr Robot, which shoots from March through July, makes it unlikely that he will be able to take the gig, even if Eon offered him the part.”

Interestingly, Wonder Woman star Said Taghmaoui has revealed he was cast by Danny Boyle before the director left Bond 25.

Speaking with The National, he claimed: “I’m supposed to do the next James Bond, playing the lead bad guy. I was cast by Danny Boyle, and just now he left the project, so of course, there’s some uncertainty.

“We don’t know who the director will be, and the producers don’t know if they’re going to go Russian or Middle East with the baddie right now.”