Yahoo News Exclusive: Bond 25's Rami Malek responds to reports the movie is in trouble
Bond 25 villain Rami Malek is weighing in on the rumours that the latest 007 outing is facing behind-the-scenes trouble.
Despite rumours that Malek was going to be forced out of Bond 25 due to scheduling conflicts, Digital Spy can confirm that the Bohemian Rhapsody actor has already shot key scenes for the movie.
Malek revealed the news in New York during an interview for the fourth and final season of his award-winning television series Mr Robot.
“We’ve already filmed in Norway for a week,” the actor told press, including Digital Spy. “That’s where I got to work with [director] Cary Fukunaga and our incredible cinematographer, Linus Sandgren. They are a great team. So far, so good. So far, so great.”
The Oscar winner managed to find time for 007 during breaks in his gruelling New York schedule. “This has been one of the most difficult seasons of Mr Robot to shoot,” he explained. “But during the hiatuses, or weeks off, I have had the luxury and privilege of going to work on the next James Bond film. It is taxing. I will not lie; it is very, very taxing.”
During Monday night's (June 17) interview, Malek was eager to clarify that a number of rumours about the upcoming Bond movie are untrue; including the notion that the ‘cursed’ movie is in trouble and that key scenes were not going to be able to be shot between Craig and Malek.
“The key scenes is something that was fabricated,” Malek confirmed. “But the thing is, Daniel was injured, so they are shooting what they can. I talked to Cary yesterday and the schedule has been altered. I know that. But with a franchise like this, I think they have it together. They have it figured out by now.”
Whilst the actor remained tight-lipped on the nature of the scenes he’s already filmed for the movie, he admits that Daniel Craig was not present during the Norway shoot for Bond 25. “I haven’t shot with Daniel yet, but I’m thrilled to work with him,” he said.
“Daniel is an actor I greatly admire. Over the years, I think he’s put in such phenomenal performances.
“I found him so captivating in films like Layer Cake and, of course, the Bond films. This is another moment where I find myself pinching myself; not only to work with him, but also a director I’ve wanted to work with for so long in Cary Fukunaga. To be part of this franchise is to be part of history again.”
When quizzed about whether or not Malek felt pressure in playing the latest Bond villain, the 38-year-old declared: “I feel a substantial weight on my shoulders. I mean, Bond is something that we all grow up with. The one thing I have going for me is I played one beloved Brit in Freddie Mercury and I pulled that off, so I feel like I can possibly have a shot at playing the villain in a Bond film.”
Does this mean that Bond’s new foe will be British? “I didn’t say that,” chuckled the actor. “No, the other beloved Brit is Bond and I am obviously not playing him.”
Could the villain reflect Malek’s Egyptian heritage and hail from Egypt? “No, absolutely not,” he declared. “Another thing that I discussed with Cary; I said we cannot identify him with any act of terrorism reflecting an ideology or a religion. That’s not something I would entertain, so if that is why I am your choice then you can count me out. But that was clearly not his vision.”
Related: Bohemian Rhapsody's Rami Malek has a twin brother and people are only just realising
The name of the Malek’s villain and the title of the upcoming movie is being kept under wraps for now, but the actor did reveal his thoughts on the story of Bond 25: “It’s another extremely clever script from the people who have figured out exactly what people want in those movies. And yeah, it’s a great character. I am very excited. I can’t wait to shoot more soon.”
The 25th James Bond film will be released in the UK on April 3, 2020 and in the US on April 8, 2020.
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