Actor Ralph Fiennes is circling an unknown role in the upcoming 007 project James Bond 23 for director Sam Mendes. All that is known about the role is that it is "darkly complex." We reported last week that Javier Bardem was offered the role of the villain in James Bond 23. It seems the role Ralph Fiennes is interested in is an entirely different role. Here's what an unnamed studio executive had to say about the project:

"It's the first of a new generation of Bond films, and the ideas of Mendes has pushed the film into darker territory where the characters are modern, mature and challenging. The part is one of extreme complexity and only an actor of great ability and dexterity can take it on - and Ralph's name is top of our list."

Ralph Fiennes is normally not interested in action-driven projects, but was intrigued by James Bond 23 when he was told the "revolutionary plans" set forth by director Sam Mendes.

No deals have been made yet and Ralph Fiennes is only in early talks for the role at this time. Sam Mendes is directing James Bond 23 from a script by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, and John Logan.