No Time to Die: Rami Malek says he pushed Daniel Craig as much as possible during filming

Malek plays the villain trying to take down Daniel Craig's Bond in the new 007 movie

Rami Malek attempted to make relations between him and Daniel Craig “fierce" while playing the villain in the new Bond film, No Time to Die.

The 38-year-old came late to the production due to prior commitments on the fourth and final season of Mr Robot. 

Speaking to Esquire, the Bohemian Rhapsody star explained: “I pushed as much as possible without being too much of a nuisance to ensure that we were doing as best as we possibly could to make it a real fierce one-on-one between the two of us.”

“They were under time pressure,” he said. “I don’t know how much they loved the idea of fresh Rami coming in… Well, not so fresh, I was just finished on Mr Robot, but at the same time I’d been thinking about this all along.”

Discussing preparing for the role of Safin, Rami added: “[I went into Bohemian Rhapsody] with what I would call a maximum amount of trepidation. 

“In a way that armoured me for something like this, and gave me a certain amount of confidence that I felt could protect me throughout the shoot.

“I think it removed the anxiety that one would have in taking on something so grand.

In January, Malek said Fleabag writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge completely transformed his Bond character. 

He told Entertainment Weekly: “She had quite an impact on what I was doing. I’d have long phone conversations with her, giving her context as to what we were essentially looking for in the scenes – she would turn things over incredibly quickly.

“We know [Phoebe] as a witty and funny writer, but she’s got a knack for drama and tension as well.”

According to Bond producer Babara Broccoli, Safin is a “nasty piece of work”.

No Time to Die is scheduled for release in cinemas on 3 April.