![\"Raoul](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Raoul-Silva-James-Bond-Villian-Javier-Bardem-Far-Out-Magazine-1140x855.jpg\")
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Credit: Far Out \/ Sony Pictures Releasing<\/p>\n
Tue 21 July 2026 3:30, UK <\/p>\n
Javier Bardem<\/a> was always going to follow in the footsteps of his famous actor mother into the family business, who, after earning recognition in his native land, moved over to the United States in the early 2000s, wowing global audiences with his emotional command and sinister aura. <\/p>\n Now widely regarded as one of the finest actors on the planet, with an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a Bafta to prove it,\u00a0in 2012, Bardem also joined a very elite list of actors, appearing as the villain in Sam Mendes\u2019 Skyfall, the movie that celebrated the 50th birthday of the James Bond franchise. <\/p>\n Daniel Craig\u2019s third outing as 007 is widely regarded as one of the best instalments in the series\u2019 history, combining the standard high-octane action with strong character development and emotion, while Bardem played Raoul Silva, a former MI6 agent turned cyberterrorist. Not only did he give a great performance, but he was also given the honour of letting the entire world know that Bond swings both ways<\/a>.<\/p>\n Instead of the usual world-conquering baddies Bond has faced over the years, Silva\u2019s goal was simple: when he worked for the British secret service, he was betrayed by Judi Dench\u2019s M and now seeks his revenge. The entire movie revolves around the relationship between Silva, M, and Bond, culminating in an epic battle at Bond\u2019s old family home in the Scottish wilderness.<\/p>\n In an interview with The Guardian<\/a> ahead of the film\u2019s release, Bardem was naturally asked about what it was like to spend so much time with Craig and Dench, and he mentioned being particularly taken aback by her Dameness, to the point where it got in the way of filming.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhen she opens her mouth and looks you in the eyes, you\u2019re like, \u2018Wow! This is a big deal\u2019,\u201d he explained, \u201cYou feel a force of nature against your chest\u2026 I looked at them both and forgot the lines. There was a silence, and Sam said, \u2018Cut, what\u2019s wrong?\u2019 And I said, \u2018I\u2019m sorry, man, I just realised I\u2019m in a James Bond movie, and M and James Bond are looking at me\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Dench became only the third actor to play M in an official Bond flick (don\u2019t ask me to explain that now, because I simply do not have the time) when she replaced Robert Brown in GoldenEye<\/a>, but her relationship with Bond is a tricky one. <\/p>\n Further reading: Cutting Room Floor<\/strong><\/p>\n She initially didn\u2019t like Pierce Brosnan\u2019s incarnation, referring to him as a \u201cdinosaur\u201d, and warmed slightly to Craig\u2019s version, particularly in Skyfall, where the two become incredibly co-dependent. Skyfall marked her final appearance<\/a> in the role, although she did return for a brief cameo in Spectre.\u00a0<\/p>\n Anyone born in the UK will know that Judi Dench is the very definition of a national treasure. An outstanding talent with a warmth and humour that has made her a favourite among multiple generations, it\u2019s not hard to see why Bardem was so taken aback by being in her presence. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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