Welsh actor Rhys Ifans joining Bond 23 cast according to reports

According to he usually-reliable columnist 'Mandrake' in today's edition of The Telegraph, Welsh actor Rhys Ifans will be joining the cast of the 23rd James Bond film.

“Ifans will appear in the film, as well as Javier Bardem, who will play the baddie,” says the paper's source. “Much of the filming will take place in South Africa.”

Ifans and Daniel Craig, who are both 43, appeared together in the 2004 film "Enduring Love", although the Welsh actor is best known to movie fans for his star-turn in the romantic comedy "Notting Hill".

Shooting on Bond 23 is expected to start in November this year, for release in the UK on October 26th, 2012. Daniel Craig will be returning as the legendary British secret agent, alongside Judi Dench as "M", with Sam Mendes directing a screenplay written by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan.

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