Even though the upcoming James Bond film, Skyfall, hasn’t hit theatres yet, the rumor mill is already getting started for Bond 24. According to Express, Benedict Cumberbatch is in line to play the villain in the next Bond flick.

Set to be released in 2014, not a whole lot is known about the film aside from the fact that Daniel Craig will reprise his role as 007. That’s really the only confirmed piece of information that we have.

This news about Cumberbatch is in no way official and the studio hasn’t commented as of yet, but apparently, the plan is for him to play the main antagonist.

“Work on the next film will begin next year and the plan is for Benedict to be on board. He grew up watching Bond, so it would be a childhood ambition fulfilled. Playing a Bond villain is one of the plum roles in film history and he’d jump at the chance,” a source told Express.

Benedict Cumberbatch is a very good actor who has seen his star rise in recent years. Of course, he’s most well known to the majority of people for his role on BBC’s Sherlock but in the near future, we’ll be seeing him in The Hobbit trilogy as well as the upcoming Star Trek film, Star Trek Into Darkness.

Personally, I’ve always been a big fan of Cumberbatch. He’s a tremendously talented individual and I have no problem seeing him as a James Bond villain. In fact, I think he’d do an excellent job in the role.

What about you? Do you think Benedict Cumberbatch can pull off the role of a Bond villain?