Javier Bardem to play villain in new James Bond film

Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem has confirmed that he will play a villain in the next James Bond film.

The 42-year-old, who is married to fellow Spanish star Penelope Cruz, revealed his casting while appearing on US news programme Nightline.

"I'm very excited because my parents took me to watch the [Bond] movies and I saw all of them, so to play that is going to be fun," he said.

"They chose me to play this man, but I cannot give you many details."

The latest Bond film is officially known as Bond 23, although it is widely rumoured that it will be called Skyfall.

It will be directed by Sam Mendes, who won an Oscar for 1999's American Beauty - and may be the first 007 film not to be shot on film.

Daniel Craig will play the part of James Bond for the third time. He is the sixth actor to play the British secret agent in the official film franchise, after Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.

His first outing, in Casino Royale, was the most successful instalment in the series' 48-year history, taking $594m (£385m) around the world.

Uncertainty

Earlier this year, Pirates of the Caribbean actress Naomie Harris revealed she had also auditioned for the new film.

Work on Bond 23 was suspended in April 2010 because of uncertainty over the future of film studio MGM, which had filed for bankruptcy protection.

Javier Bardem and Penelope Cruz were married last year in the Bahamas

A rescue deal and restructuring plan put Spyglass Entertainment in charge of the company.

The last movie in the series, Quantum of Solace, was released in 2008.

Javier Bardem last played a villain in 2007's No Country for Old Men.

His portrayal of a hitman won him a best supporting actor Oscar.

The actor has also appeared in films such as Woody Allen's Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Eat Pray Love, also starring Julia Roberts.

He and Penelope Cruz were married last year and have a baby son.

The 23rd James Bond film is due for release in cinemas next autumn.