Rami Malek has admitted there was ‘no way’ he was going to turn down the opportunity to appear in a James Bond film.
The actor, 39, stars as the villain Safin in the upcoming No Time To Die, which will be Daniel Craig’s last outing as 007.
Gracing the cover of GQ magazine, Rami told how he will look back on working alongside Daniel, 52, as one of the highlights of his acting career.
Role: Rami Malek has admitted there was ‘no way’ he was going to turn down the opportunity to appear in a James Bond film
He said: ‘Look, there was no way I was going to say no. It’s a 007 film, man. They’re a part of our cinematic history. An opportunity to go toe-to-toe, head-to-head with Daniel and give them all I got? That’s something I’ll look back on as as big as it gets.’
No Time To Die was originally scheduled for release in April 2020 and was then moved to November before it was pushed back again until April 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
On the film’s delay, Rami said: ‘Essentially, we make these films for entertainment. So ultimately it would be great if people feel it’s safe enough to be able to see this film in the cinema.
‘And maybe that could be some type of marker that we are returning to some sort of normalcy, whatever that is.’
Honoured: Gracing the cover of GQ magazine , Rami told how he will look back on working alongside Daniel as one of the highlights of his acting career
Daniel was full of praise for his co-star, saying he understands the significance that comes with playing a Bond villain in the iconic franchise.
He said: ‘I go up against people. I’m up against him. Rami knows me. He understands the weight of what he’s playing.
‘He understands he’s playing a Bond villain – what that means, what it means historically and the kind of Bond villains that have come before. Rami’s really good at his job. I mean, that’s an understatement.
‘There’s an alchemy that happens when you’re making a movie, which is like you put all these things together.
Aantagonist: Rami stars as the villain Safin in the upcoming No Time To Die, which will be Daniel Craig’s last outing as 007
‘When you’re working with Rami, you just know he is aware of all those things. He’s got this big, active brain, so I know he’s pushing all the right buttons.’
Rami said he has paid attention to fan rumours surrounding Safin, including that some believe him to be a 21st century incarnation of Dr. No.
He said: ‘Let the rumours fly, because no matter what you expect from this movie, you will be shocked when you watch the film. I will not add any fuel to that fire.’
Elsewhere in the interview, Rami discussed his role as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, which won him the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Important: Daniel was full of praise for his co-star, saying he understands the significance that comes with playing a Bond villain in the iconic franchise
Speaking about wearing prosthetic teeth in preparation for the part, Rami said: ‘I didn’t even know if I had the role at that point.
‘But I thought, if the opportunity ever does present itself, I’d like to be in a place where I feel comfortable enough to accept the challenge.
‘And, for me, that meant getting those teeth as quickly as possible and essentially beginning some type of rehearsal process, at least a year in advance.’
Read the full feature in the December issue of British GQ, available via digital download and on newsstands Friday 6th November.
Delay: No Time To Die was originally scheduled for release in April 2020 and was then moved to November before it was pushed back again until April 2021 (pictured in 2019)