Though the role is unspecified, the article suggests that it is major part and speculation could easily place Bardem as the film's villain. If that is the case, Bardem would mark the second Oscar winner to face off against the secret agent after Christopher Walken in 1985's A View to a Kill.
Currently, Daniel Craig and Judi Dench are confirmed to return for the franchise sequel under Director Sam Mendes. No plot details are currently available, but the script (from Neal Purvis, Robert Wade and John Logan) is said to pick up soon after the events of Quantum of Solace.