Javier Bardem is back on our screens, and this time he's taking on the role of Max Cady in Apple TV+'s new 10-part series Cape Fear. It's a character previously brought to life by Robert Mitchum and Robert De Niro, but Bardem has said he ‘would not have dared to touch’ the role had it been a straightforward remake.
The 56-year-old also had to juggle filming Cape Fear with Dune: Part Three, telling The Hollywood Reporter: ‘You have a plane trip to just put it out and put it in. It’s what you do for a living. We are in the pretending department.’
But his hectic schedule hasn’t distracted him from his fitness over the years. In a separate interview with Men’s Health US, the actor revealed he added weight training to his routine in his fifties, explaining: ‘We need to build muscle in order to have a healthier old age.’
‘Since two years ago, I’m doing some weights and I love it. I’m not getting any younger,’ he said. ‘We need to build muscle in order to have a healthier old age, as the experts say. So I find it very encouraging and fun as well. I enjoy it, actually. I like doing it.’
Reflecting on filming Dune, Bardem added: ‘It wasn’t easy. I don’t know what they did, but I know that having to wear that suit in the heat for so many hours and be able not to sweat. I’m a sweater and we had some problems sometimes when it’s like, “Okay, cut. You cannot sweat.” You have to be in shape for that.’
Bardem also revealed he has no desire to train alongside fellow actor Jason Momoa.
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‘No, no, I would never work out with Jason Momoa. Are you kidding?’ he said. ‘He’s strong like Jesus. He’s super fit and strong and super sweet and fun and nice and adorable.’
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