Javier Bardem has been offered the villain role in JAMES BOND 23, reports Deadline.com. With the pending offer to take the lead in Ron Howard's epic THE DARK TOWERS, Bardem has a lot to ponder for his next big screen move. If Bardem chooses BOND, he would join Daniel Craig and Judi Dench. Sam Mendes is set to direct the film, which will take place where QUANTUM OF SOLACE ended. MGM has set November 9, 2012 for the film's release.

MGM's new bosses Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum are busy trying to land a distribution partner for the next BOND. As part of their deal for the venerable franchise is a co-financing agreement on new original MGM productions. Warner Bros, Sony Pictures Ent., 20th Century Fox and Paramount Pictures are all vying to release the new 007 adventure.