Javier Bardem's villain 'gives the whole film a richer content,' Craig tells MTV News.
By Christina Garibaldi

Daniel Craig
Photo: MTV News

As the James Bond franchise celebrates its 50th anniversary, fans are eagerly awaiting the much-anticipated new film "Skyfall." Out this fall, the flick has Daniel Craig back as Bond, taking him on a new adventure in what is sure to be an action-packed spy thriller.

MTV News recently visited the set of "Skyfall" at London's legendary Pinewood Studios, where director Sam Mendes re-created the city's famous underground Tube to capture Bond in action.

We sat down with Mr. Bond himself moments before he began shooting, and even though he couldn't tell us everything about the plot, he was more than willing to share his excitement about returning as Bond for the third time.

"It's great," Craig said of playing Bond. "It's been awhile, and we've been planning this for a good couple of years now, gathering together, getting Sam Mendes on board, and then Sam casting such a great bunch of people, so I've been kind of itching to get going for a while."

That great cast includes the ultimate bad guy, Javier Bardem. The actor, who won an Oscar for his bone-chilling role as Anton Chigurh in "No Country for Old Men," will prove yet again that he is a master villain as he takes on the role of Silva.

"I think the character is really complex; he's not an easy guy," Bardem said. "He's not only a villain; it's more than that, hopefully. It's what we tried to achieve. I'm giving James Bond a hard time — that's my job, that's my duty."

Craig believes Bardem's evil role certainly adds great depth to the 23rd installment of 007: "There's also the very important relationship he has with the bad guy in the movie, which, again, gives the whole film a richer content," Craig said.

So does Silva give Bond a run for his money? "He certainly does," Craig revealed.

Of course, a Bond movie wouldn't be complete without a Bond girl. Two lucky women step into the role the time, including French TV actress Bérénice Marlohe, who brings a classic twist to a modern Bond girl.

"This movie is really like a classic Bond movie," said Marlohe, who plays Sévérine. "This character and I wanted to be part of this classic spirit."

Even though this might be Craig's third time in the role, he still has the same goal in mind as when he filmed "Casino Royale."

"I just try to make the best movie we can," Craig said. "And when you have a really good script, which we did with this, then you know you have a ground, a foundation to begin a movie, and then from there, you make it bigger and better."

Does Craig believe "Skyfall" is bigger and better than his past Bond films? "I do, personally," he shared.

"Skyfall" hits theatres November 9.

Check out everything we've got on "Skyfall."

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