Hot news from the jungle drums which are beginning to pump up the volume about the new James Bond film … Former ER heart-throb Goran Visnjic is reported to have landed the role of the villain in the as yet untitled “Bond 22”.
The Croatian auditioned for the 007 role two years ago, but missed out to Daniel Craig after a final round of screen tests.
Debbie McWilliams, casting director for the Bond parent company EON Productions, said he was viewed as “just too young” for the part.
But now it appears he will be locking horns with the man who beat him to the superspy role in the follow-up film to Casino Royale, which is due in our cinemas next summer.
Visnjic is said to have quit his role in the hit television series ER earlier this week, and his agent confirmed he was working on “something massive”.
And a showbiz writer pal of mine reveals: “When auditioning for Bond in Casino Royale, Goran Visnjic did such a good job he burned into the minds of the EON psyche. So powerful was his performance that he single handedly won the role of next Bond baddie in the upcoming film with Daniel Craig.”
It is believed that the story of the new movie will be a continuation of the plot from Casino Royale, and the villain will be the former love interest of Vesper Lynd, the girl who broke Bond’s heart in a heart-rending betrayal.
Visnjic shot to international stardom in his role as Dr Luka Kovac in the hit American medical series ER, which he has played in more than 170 episodes since 1999.
The 36-year-old has also appeared in Hollywood movies The Peacemaker with George Clooney and Nicole Kidman, Practical Magic with Sandra Bullock, and in the title role of Spartacus in a 2004 version of the religious epic.
Elsewhere in Hollywood, it seems Oscar winner Martin Scorsese and his Oscar nominated actor Mark Wahlberg from The Departed are teaming up again.
The duo will executive produce a drama for HBO based on the book Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times and Corruption Of Atlantic City, by Nelson Johnson.
The project smacks of Goodfellas, just relocated to the East Coast gambling mecca. It is not known whether Mark will star as well, but the book follows the journey of the city from quiet resort town to the hedonistic dwelling it is today.
The actor already has a deal with HBO, producing the hit Entourage (which is based on his own Hollywood life), as well as the upcoming In Treatment.
Marty seems to like sticking with certain actors - he has collaborated with both Robert De Niro and Leonardo Di Caprio several times.
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