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Report: Mathieu Amalric Cast As 'Bond 22' Villain

Fox News claims casting is "a done deal"

Mathieu Amalric Neither Denies Nor Confirms 'Bond 22' Villain Possibilities

'Ah, one will see ... I cannot say...'

Fox News is running the following in its Fox 411 section online:

James Bond's Next Villain Revealed

Daniel Craig had better look out. I’m told that Mathieu Amalric, the probable Oscar nominee from Miramax’s “The Diving Bell and the Butterfly,” is James Bond’s next villain. That was the word Thursday at a lunch for “Diving Bell" director Julian Schnabel and Amalric.

Even though sources insist it’s true, Amalric would neither confirm nor deny. Since his “Diving Bell” character communicates through blinking, we thought of asking him to do just that — one for yes, two for no — but thought better of it. Anyway, expect a formal announcement shortly. This is a done deal.

For the untitled Bond movie’s director Marc Forster, Amalric is a brilliant choice. He’s a youthful looking 42-year-old overnight sensation, an independent French film director who only started seriously acting in films at age 30 and has suddenly been thrust into a hot career.

So what does he want to do? “I want to direct my next film,” he told me over lunch at Brasserie Ruhlmann in Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Of course, it was hard to finish a conversation with Mathieu (pronounced Matthew) because women, one after another, wanted to come over and “just say hello.” Then, you know, they don’t leave.

“It’s like a dream,” Almaric said to me between visitations.

So who is this guy? Mathieu Amalric’s got a very French father who lives in Corsica with his second wife, and a Polish-Jewish-French mother in Paris.

He looks a little bit like a young Roman Polanski, which makes sense because the mother comes from the same village as "The Pianist" director.

And even more ties: Polanski’s beautiful wife, Emanuelle Seigner, plays Amalric’s ex in “Diving Bell.” (The film also features the sensational Marie-Josee Croze.)

He got the part of French Elle magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby thanks to producers Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, who produced Steven Spielberg’s “Munich.” If you remember, Amalric was the breakout actor from that movie. He played the rich, young French arms dealer who worked with his father (Michael Lonsdale) from their chateau. When Schnabel was looking for an actor to play the part of Bauby, who was rendered paralyzed from a stroke but still managed to write a book, Kennedy and Marshall suggested Amalric.

Let me say this: if Mathieu Amalric isn’t nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor, then something is really wrong. His performance is nothing less that stunning, a miracle. He belongs in a group with John Cusack (“Grace Is Gone”), Johnny Depp (“Sweeney Todd”), Philip Seymour Hoffman (“The Savages”) and Daniel Day-Lewis (“There Will Be Blood”). As Bauby he manages to take what could have been maudlin and makes it full of life.

Don’t worry that he’s French. This is no Roberto Benigni. Even though “Diving Bell” is told mostly in French, the actor’s English is just fine. He lived in Washington, D.C., from ages 5-8 because his father was a journalist on assignment. Mathieu is already in demand from the TV talk shows for interviews. And all this is a little strange for him.

“The Oscars are a big deal?” he asked at lunch. “It will help the film?”

He is not kidding.

“Diving Bell and the Butterfly” is not a depressing movie, by the way. It’s life affirming, and gorgeously crafted by director and famed artist Julian Schnabel.

Ronald Harwood, who won the Oscar for “The Pianist” and also wrote “Being Julia” and “The Dresser,” did the screenplay. They all deserve nominations. And if they don’t get them, well, then, when Amalric is schooled in James Bond he can threaten to blow up the Academy!

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Here's the full link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,311929,00.html

So, just more rumour? Not the most likely place for this type of thing to start up, but it sounds a little vague and questionable to me.

He looks more like henchman material. Willy Krebs, perhaps?

Nice find, Pinky. Feels like this might be true.

If it's true, this could be a great fit for the baddie! I like that he's obviously a very accomplished actor but is relatively unknown.. more of this please Eon!

Sounds interesting. Sticking to Euro actors if this is true.

I loved this guy in Munich. And he's French...as in, French Algerian?!



Seriously, whatever role he supposedly plays, I'm sure he'll be dynamite in it. If the new films progress down the path that CR started, Bond films could suddenly have newfound credibility for fine actors.

I agree that this guy's acting credentials coupled with being a little known (at least in the US), yet well-respected European actor really does sound legit when viewed in light of the casting for CR.

And the guy really does look quite a bit like a young Polanski!

The lack of any real meat to the original story makes it seem a bit tabloid/suspect to me. However, that said, the fact that it's coming through a name news source gives it a bit more credibility.

He looks sort of plausible for a French Algerian:

Is this the guy who played Louie in "MUNICH"? If the news is true, I wonder if Craig or Spielberg had any hand in him being suggested.

Nice!! So he's the actor who played Louie, the french arms dealer in Munich? Yeah I loved him in that and I think he would be a great Bond villain!!

Interesting choice (if it's true). He didn't have any scenes with DC in Munich, so I'll look forward to seeing them act opposite each other this time around.

Only if you squint.

Strange story for Fox, isn't it?

Thought this guy stood out in MUNICH and was very sleazy. A little too similar to Mikkelsen for my liking, in terms of build, presence, looks and profile, but still, sounds good. Unless it's a very strange PR puff piece, I think it's more likely to be this guy simply because who would make it up? Mel Gibson or Roger Moore as the villain are stories I don't believe - fairly obscure French actors, well, could be.

Interesting Choice - Hope its true, he looks awesome , Nice to see the Bond 22 Publicity coming together nicely.