WATCH: Javier Bardem on Playing a Different Kind of Bond Villain

Javier Bardem as Raoul Silva in ‘Skyfall’ (Photo: MGM)

The Oscar-winning Spanish actor Javier Bardem — who plays the new Bond villain in Skyfall — has been getting some great reviews. As 007’s nemesis Bardem plays an intrguing figure, a man who is camp in demeanor and sports platinum blond hair. He appears in one scene opposite Bond that suggests he may be gay.

The actor maintains it was important not to rely on old villains in creating his character. He says: “Many great actors have done it before but you have to be open to what may come rather than bringing something that maybe some other great actors have brought before.”

Javier Bardem’s villain Raoul Silva is engaged in a very personal vendetta in Skyfall. He’s got M in his sights for reasons which will only become clear if you see the film.

Bardem states: “I will describe him as a person that has a very specific goal, more kind of a personal goal than big ideas about [taking over] the world.”

Bond fans can be quite picky about new actors brought into the franchise but the verdict on Bardem has been positive – a sentiment summed up by Britain’s Guardian newspaper which declared: “Javier Bardem: is he the best ever Bond baddie?”