Javier Bardem
Daniel Craig who? Javier Bardem says he was meant to play James Bond. Reuters

Skyfall villain Javier Bardem has revealed that he once turned down the opportunity to play James Bond.

The Oscar-winning Spanish actor confessed he was offered the role but he felt that he was not right to play the British superspy. Producers later settled on Daniel Craig.

He claims that Skyfall's ''powerful'' script drove him to get involved with the franchise this time around.

"Years ago, I was [offered the role]. I don't remember what movie it was for. But yeah, it just was not that time. I didn't feel that it was the time for me to do something like that," Bardem told CinemaBlend.com.

''And also, I was doing something else, so I passed. This time, when I read it, I felt that it was very powerful material, and I wanted to join [a Bond movie].''

However, the 43-year-old star insists that he does not regret saying no to one of the biggest roles in film and says he is proud of the direction his career has taken.

"I have passed on many things that I could easily regret, but I don't regret any of them, because that also gives room for something else to come that I'm proud of.

''Even if those things were not beautifully executed, those were the things that I believed in at the time.''

Bardem's revelations come after Bond director Sam Mendes revealed he considered casting Sean Connery - who portrayed Bond in seven movies - in 'Skyfall.'

Mendes said that he initially wanted the 82-year-old star to play Albert Finney's character Kincade in the new movie, but had a change of heart.

"There was a definite discussion about that - way, way early on. But I think that's problematic.

''To me, it becomes too ... it would take you out of the movie. Connery is Bond and he's not going to come back as another character."

Could you see Javier Bardem playing James Bond?