Benicio Del Toro is a Puerto Rican actor who has made a name for himself in Hollywood with his intense and captivating performances. He has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Traffic. However, many people may not know that Del Toro was once considered for the role of James Bond villain.
The Role That Almost Was
In 2008, it was announced that Del Toro was in talks to play the villain in the next James Bond film, which was set to be Quantum of Solace. However, negotiations fell through, and the role eventually went to Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen.
It's unclear why Del Toro didn't end up playing the villain in Quantum of Solace. Some speculate that it was due to scheduling conflicts, while others believe that creative differences may have played a role.
A Bond Fan
Despite not getting the opportunity to play a James Bond villain, Del Toro is a big fan of the series. In an interview with The Guardian, he revealed that he grew up watching the films and that he particularly enjoyed the performances of Sean Connery and Roger Moore.
Del Toro also expressed his admiration for the character of James Bond, describing him as "a great, iconic character."
The Perfect Villain?
Many fans of the James Bond franchise believe that Benicio Del Toro would have made an excellent villain. His intense and brooding on-screen presence would have been a perfect match for Daniel Craig's gritty and realistic portrayal of Bond.
Del Toro has proven himself to be a versatile actor who can play both sympathetic and unsympathetic characters. He has a natural intensity that would have made him a formidable adversary for Bond.
Other Villainous Roles
While Benicio Del Toro may not have played a James Bond villain, he has played plenty of other villainous roles throughout his career.
In the film The Usual Suspects, Del Toro played the character of Fred Fenster, a member of a criminal gang who meets a grisly end. He also played the ruthless drug lord Pablo Escobar in the film Escobar: Paradise Lost.
What's Next for Del Toro?
Despite not getting the chance to play a James Bond villain, Benicio Del Toro continues to be a sought-after actor in Hollywood. He has several projects in the works, including the film The French Dispatch, which is set to be released in 2021.
Del Toro has proven himself to be a talented and versatile actor who can play a wide range of characters. While we may never see him in a James Bond film, there's no doubt that he will continue to deliver memorable performances for years to come.