Ralph Fiennes is being lined up as one of the stars of the next James Bond movie.
I can reveal that his Hollywood representatives are in discussions with the producers and director Sam Mendes about a role in the film that so far is known only as James Bond 23.
Mendes, who will direct Daniel Craig as Bond and Judi Dench as M, has spoken to Fiennes about taking on what has been described to me as a darkly complex role.
Fiennes is not interested in the usual run-of-the-mill action picture, but he was intrigued when he was told of Mendess revolutionary plans for Bond 23.
Its the first of a new generation of Bond films, and the ideas Mendes has push the film into darker territory where the characters are modern, mature and challenging, a film executive in Los Angeles connected to the production told me.
At the moment, the situation with Fiennes is purely at the discussion stage.
I was told Fiennes was approached because the part is one of extreme complexity and only an actor of great ability and dexterity can take it on and Ralphs name is top of our list.
From what I can gather, its not the same part thats being talked about for Javier Bardem.
Im told a couple of other major names are being courted for roles in the picture.
At one point Kevin Spacey was spoken to about doing Bond 23, but he was alreadly gearing up to play Richard III, which Mendes is directing at the Old Vic from June 18.
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