Rami Malek has admitted he was initially reluctant to accept a role in the upcoming James Bond film, in which he plays a dangerous terrorist.
The Bohemian Rhapsody actor – who became the first Arab-American star to win an Oscar earlier this year – has revealed he only agreed to take on the role after making it clear to director Cary Fukunaga the character shouldn’t have any religious motivations.
He told The Mirror: “It’s a great character and I’m very excited. But that was one thing that I discussed with Cary.
“I said, ‘We cannot identify him with any act of terrorism reflecting an ideology or a religion. That’s not something I would entertain, so if that is why I am your choice then you can count me out’.”
Rami added: “But that was clearly not his vision. So [the character] is a very different kind of terrorist.
“It’s another extremely clever script from the people who have figured out exactly what people want in those movies.”
As well as Rami, Billy Magnussen, Captain Marvel’s Lashana Lynch and Dali Benssalah will also be joining the franchise for the currently-untitled 25th 007 film.
They’ll be appearing alongside returning stars Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw and Ralph Fiennes as Moneypenny, Q and M, respectively.
Daniel Craig will be making his fifth and final appearance as the iconic MI5 agent in the film, which was originally supposed to have been directed by Danny Boyle, until he left the project due to creative differences.
He was replaced by Cary Fukunaga, who directed Beasts Of No Nation and the TV series True Detective and Maniac.