Bardem, an Oscar-winner for No Country For Old Men, had apparently been offered a "starring role" in the production. And while there are no official details as to what that starring role is, as Deadline rightly points out, "traditionally the bigger male role opposite 007 is the villain".
Given that Bardem has more than earned his on-screen villain stripes in the past, it'd make sense that he'd be the foe in the new film. But it's, of course, unconfirmed.
Bardem has also reportedly been offered the lead role in The Dark Tower trilogy, but it'd presumably be possible to balance both projects.
