Has the villain for Bond 24 already been found?

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

We still have a couple of months before SKYFALL hits theaters and there are already rumors popping up about the potential villain for the 24th Bond film. Sony and EON want to try and get the next Bond film in production next year for a 2014 release date, likely to capitalize on Daniel Craig’s extended contract and to make up for the missed time between QUANTUM OF SOLACE and SKYFALL.

SKYFALL looks to complete the origin story of James Bond seeing as the introduction of Q in the film will complete his evolution from rogue agent to debonair spy. Javier Bardem looks like he is the first Bond villain since the days of Pierce Brosnan to truly fit the bill. His character appears a little over the top and quirky. But, who could possibly be cast to take over duties from someone like Bardem?

According to British newspaper The Express, producers are looking at none other than:

Benedict Cumberbatch. That is right, Cumberbatch may be adding Bond villain to his growing resume that also includes STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS and THE HOBBIT films. Cumberbatch is a phenomenal actor that we all have learned to love in BBC’s SHERLOCK as well as an excellent turn in TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY.

The Express quotes an unnamed source, so this could be complete conjecture, but Cumberbatch would play an awesome villain. He would make a great counter-balance to the rough and tumble version of Bond that Craig plays. I wonder if they would make him a new villain or possibly take on a new version of someone like Goldfinger or Blofeld.

What do you think of Cumberbatch as a Bond villain?