Chiwetel Ejiofor To Play Bond Villain?

12 Years a Slave actor tipped to face-off against 007.

Actor and star of the film "12 Years A Slave," Chiwetel Ejiofor poses for a portrait, on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013 in New York. (Photo by Carlo Allegri/Invision/AP)

Following his huge success in 12 Years A Slave, Chiwetel Ejiofor has been tipped to play James Bond’s next adversary.

Bond 24 director Sam Mendes has his eye on the Oscar-nominated actor for 007’s upcoming 2015 adventure.

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According to The Wrap, Ejiofor is set to face off against Daniel Craig’s iconic hero as the movie’s major villain. The report suggests that though no offer has yet been made, the actor is at the top of the Bond boss’ list. So far, Sony, MGM and Ejiofor's reps have all declined to comment on the rumour.



Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw are set to reprise their roles in the as-yet-untitled Bond film as his boss M, ally Moneypenny and gadget guru Q, respectively.

Two new key female roles are also currently being cast, including a new Bond girl and a Scandinavian with a troubled past who will serve as a brief love interest for Bond.

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Skyfall scribe John Logan will return to script the film, and recently hinted that crime organisation Quantum, which featured in Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, could appear.

Filming on Bond 24 is expected to start in the autumn.