Rami Malek refuses to play religious or Arabic-speaking terrorist

Rami Malek revealed he gave some conditions to the “Bond 25” director on the type of villain he would play, given his Egyptian ethnicity. Image: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Being part of a James Bond film is a feat, but Rami Malek had some apprehensions when he was cast in the role of a villain.

The “Bohemian Rhapsody” star revealed he gave some conditions to director Cary Fukunaga on the type of antagonist he would play, given his Egyptian ethnicity.

“I said, ‘We cannot identify him with any act of terrorism reflecting an ideology or a religion. That’s not ­something I would entertain, so if that is why I am your choice then you can count me out,’” he told the Mirror on Tuesday, July 2. He also thumbed down playing an Arabic-speaking terrorist.

He explained that his Egyptian roots are “the fabric of who I am,” having been born to Egyptian immigrants who moved to the United States. Malek and his siblings, twin brother Sami and older sister Yasmine speak Egyptian Arabic. He is attached to Egyptian music and admires actor Omar Sharif

Thankfully, Fukunaga already had a different plan in mind for the “Bond 25” villain, with Malek describing the script as “extremely clever.” The upcoming 007 film hits theaters in April 2020.  Niña V. Guno /ra

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