David Suchet linked with Casino Royale villain role

29-Oct-2005 • Casino Royale

IGN FilmForce has investigated the possibility that English actor David Suchet (best known as TV's Hercule Poirot) may be in the running for a major role in the next James Bond film, Casino Royale.

Suchet is an oft-mentioned fan favorite for the role of the villainous Le Chiffre. In the novel, Le Chiffre is a Soviet agent who embezzles and loses money earmarked for Communist operations and must then win it back during a baccarat duel with Bond at the titular casino. Le Chiffre has previously been portrayed by Peter Lorre in the 1954 TV presentation (an episode of the Climax! anthology series) and by Orson Welles in the 1967 big-screen satire.

IGN inquired with Suchet's reps at Endeavor about their client's possible involvement with Casino Royale. "That's not confirmed," a rep told us, adding that they were "not at liberty to discuss it" in any way. Endeavor did confirm that Suchet is currently "in negotiations" for a few projects and mulling "a couple of offers."

Suchet's management firm, Seven Summits Pictures & Management, was similarly evasive when asked about Casino Royale. "We cannot confirm that," they advised us.

None of Suchet's reps offered a denial.

There is also the possibility that Suchet could play Bond's boss "M" now that there are rumblings that, for the sake of continuity, Dame Judi Dench might not reprise the role.

Suchet's credits include Executive Decision, A Perfect Murder, Live from Baghdad, The In-Laws, Wing Commander, Foolproof, Iron Eagle and The Way We Live Now.

Suchet is no stranger to espionage fare, having portrayed Sean Penn's KGB contact in The Falcon and the Snowman, as well as appearing in The Secret Agent, The Little Drummer Girl and Reilly: The Ace of Spies.

Suchet also starred in the BBC series NCS Manhunt, opposite Bond movie veterans Samantha Bond (Miss Moneypenny in the Brosnan films) and Steven Berkoff (the villain in Octopussy).

Thanks to `cromedome` for the alert.