This is just a rumor at this point, but according to The Guardian, Michael Sheen is apparently in early talks to play Ernst Stavro Blofeld in the upcoming James Bond feature.

Considering the project is only at the earliest developmental stages, and we just learned Peter Morgan would team up with scribes Neal Purvis and Robert Wade to write the script for "Bond 23," I find it hard to believe they are already looking for actors to fill unconfirmed roles.

But who knows... Blofeld could indeed return to the big screen. The villain already appeared in six official Bond flicks, including "Form Russia With Love," "Thunderball," "You Only Live Twice," "On Her Majesty's Secret Service," "Diamonds are Forever" and "For Your Eyes Only."

Indeed, there is also a connection between Morgan and Sheen. After all, Morgan wrote "The Queen" and "Frost/Nixon," two films Sheen starred in.

Anyway, it's certainly an interesting idea. We'll find out soon enough whether this is true or just another silly rumor. Stay tuned.

Here's your selection of quick casting updates for May 16, 2009:

• Michael Sheen, who played Tony Blair in "The Queen" and David Frost in "Frost/Nixon," and Paddy Considine, whose credits include "In America" and "My Summer of Love," will star in Richard Ayoade's feature debut "Submarine." The flick follows a teenager trying to lose his virginity all while doing what he can to save his parents' marriage. (Variety)

• Andrea Riseborough, Jaime Winstone and Daniel Mays are the latest to join Sally Hawkins and Bob Hoskins in Nigel Cole's ("Calendar Girls") "We Want Sex." Written by William Ivory, the flick focuses on the 1968 strike at the Ford Dagenham car plant. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Monica Bellucci has boarded Jon Turteltaub's comedy "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," which also stars Nicholas Cage, Jay Baruchel, Alfred Molina, Teresa Palmer and Toby Kebbell. Bellucci is playing a sorceress and lost love of Cage's character. Bellucci's credits include "Shoot 'Em Up" and "The Matrix Reloaded." (Variety)

• John Goodman is in talks to join Orlando Bloom and Vincent Cassel in Andrew Niccol's "The Cross," which follows Bloom as he seeks to cross a mysterious border. Niccol also directed "Lord of War" and Goodman recently starred in "Speed Racer" and "Confessions of a Shopaholic." (Variety)

Michael Sheen, who delivered a fascinating performance as Tony Blair in "The Queen" and rocked the big-screen as David Frost in "Frost/Nixon," has officially joined the cast of Chris Weitz's upcoming vampire sequel "The Twilight Saga: New Moon."

According to Variety, Sheen is set to play the leader of an Italian vampire gang called Volturi. Playing a fierce creature should not be a big problem for Sheen, as he already played a badass werewolf in the "Underworld" flicks. His credits also include "Blood Diamond" and Tim Burton's upcoming "Alice in Wonderland."

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Michael Sheen, who delivered an excellent performance as Tony Blair in Stephen Frears’ “The Queen,” has been cast in Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland” and Gregor Jordan’s “Unthinkable,” according to Variety.

In “Unthinkable,” Samuel L. Jackson stars a black-ops interrogator (Jackson) who teams up with an FBI agent (Carrie-Ann Moss) to press a suspect into revealing the locations of three nuclear weapons. What part Sheen will play is unknown at this stage.

The actor will also be seen in Burton’s new take on “Alice in Wonderland,” which stars Mia Wasikowska in the titular role. Also starring is Johnny Depp, who portrays the Mad Hatter.

Sheen most recently starred in “Blood Diamond.” He will next be seen in Ron Howard’s drama “Frost/Nixon,” in which he plays British television presenter David Frost.

Other future projects include “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans” and “The Damned United.” Rumor has it Sheen may reprise his role as Blair in “The Special Relationship,” which looks at the former prime minister’s relationship with Clinton and George W. Bush.