Javier Bardem felt "nervous" about starring in a James Bond movie.
The 57-year-old actor initially rejected the role of Raoul Silva in 2012's Skyfall, before successfully proposing some amendments to director Sir Sam Mendes and then committing to the film.
Javier said at a BFI London Film Festival session: "I guess I was nervous. Like, ‘What am I doing in the James Bond movie? What can I do?’ But then we sat down.
"Sam Mendes is a genius, and we went through the reading of it, and he was so open to what I was proposing, which had to do with the sexuality of the guy."
Javier explained that he was imaginative in how he approached the Bond villain role.
He recalled: "I said, ‘Listen, all the villains have done everything to destroy the world, but what about becoming personal? What about something besides destroying the world? [Like] he wants to have sex with Mr. Bond?’ And [Mendes] said, ‘I’ll talk to the studio and get back to you.'"
Javier also praised the film studio for showing faith in his idea and his approach to the role.
The acclaimed actor explained: "The studio was very brave. And I think that scene lasts in the memory of the audience … Because we went a little bit further with it. It’s a way to say, ‘Okay, how do you really put Mr. Bond out of his place with a situation that he hasn’t been there before?’ And the way he comes out of it is brilliant."
Meanwhile, Javier has been married to actress Penelope Cruz since 2010, and he recently claimed that they don't talk about their work at home.
Javier told Variety: "At home, we don’t talk much about work.
"We don’t have posters or photos or anything that reminds us of what we do for a living. We don’t waste too much time talking about work, though we love what we do. We try to compartmentalise life and fiction."
Despite this, Javier loves the experience of working with his wife.
The actor - who has starred alongside Penelope in movies such as Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Bunker, the psychological thriller film - shared: "It’s a beautiful story that is going to help us see again. Because sometimes you are immersed in your daily s*** and the kids and the house, and it’s like — when do you sit down and look at each other again? When do you start to breathe again, and take the other person in?"