When BOND 23 was first put on hold, an incredible force of rage and sadness overcame me. Not only did this mean that Sam Mendes might not direct the film when (and if) it came back, but it also meant I had to wait even longer for my next Bond fix. The wait was already long enough as it was.
Then we found out it was back on, Mendes was still on as director, and Javier Bardem was lined up to play the villain in the film. And while that’s all good news, now we are finding out what could have been if the film was not delayed. That “could have” was Kevin Spacey.
Before the film was back on and Javier Bardem was cast as the villain, Sam Mendes had Kevin Spacey lined up to fill that role. As many of you are probably aware, Mendes and Spacey worked together in the unforgettable and equally incredible film AMERICAN BEAUTY. The re-teaming of these two major forces would have been quite a thing to see.
Spacey apparently couldn’t take up the role after the delay, due to his upcoming performance in Richard III. The dates of the play and the filming of the new Bond movie were in conflict, so he had to pass.
Then again, you can’t really complain when the replacement is Javier Bardem. Bardem has repeatedly proven himself as a fantastic actor, he will fit right into the film. Complaining about this replacement is just as nonsensical as complaining about being given ice cream instead of pizza. That’s something I’ll never be guilty of.
Source Live for Films, via Cinema Blend
John Mulhern Writes 