Javier Bardem has inked a deal to star alongside Sean Penn in Pierre Morel's upcoming action thriller The Gunman. He is also circling a lead role in J.C. Chandor's crime drama A Most Violent Year.

The Gunman centers on international spy Martin Terrier (Sean Penn), who is attempting to clear his name in order to save himself from the organization he once worked for. The film is based on novel written by Jean-Patrick Manchette titled The Prone Gunman. Javier Bardem will likely play one of the henchman sent to kill the former spy.

Plot details are few on A Most Violent Year, but we do know that the actor will be portraying a good guy. Production scheduled to begin this fall in Manhattan.

Javier Bardem is best known for his role as the baddy in No Country for Old Men, which he won an Oscar for. He more recently stared as Silva in Sam Mendes' latest Bond film Skyfall.