Javier Bardem has no problem speaking his mind, be it on the red carpet or an Oscars stage appearance.
And, the "No Country for Old Men' star claims it's cost him dearly.
Bardem is one of the loudest pro-Palestinian voices in Hollywood. He infamously used the most recent Academy Awards ceremony to say, "No war and free Palestine."
Stunning. Brave. And, to hear him tell it, professionally unwise.
The star told Variety this week that his strident, pro-Palestinian comments have cost him work. Or so he has heard.
Yes, I’ve heard things: They were going to call you about that project, but that’s gone. Or This brand was going to ask you to do the campaign, but they cannot. It’s fine. I live in Spain. American studios are not the only place.
Bardem's views are problematic on several levels, but in a perfect world, it shouldn't render him unemployable. He's not a lunatic like Hasan Piker or Nick Fuentes.
Yet Bardem's concerns don't land as hard as they should. Here's why.
First, the actor is incredibly busy and doesn't appear to be suffering from a lack of opportunities. His new Apple TV+ series, "Cape Fear," debuts on June 5. He plays the Robert Mitchum/Robert De Niro character from the two previous films under that moniker, the villainous Max Cady.
He has five other projects coming soon, including this year's "Dune 3." We needn't pass the hat for the Bardem family. It's clear his pro-Palestinian views, embraced by many in Hollywood, haven't damaged his brand.
It's the other part of the matter that's far more important.
Where has Bardem been when other stars have been canceled for their views? The most egregious example remains Gina Carano, a right-leaning actress who got run out of Hollywood after Disney fired her from "The Mandalorian."
Why? She shared a plea for tolerance on social media that evoked the era of the Third Reich. The same era every third star brings up to smite President Donald Trump, the GOP in toto or conservatives.
Did Bardem rush to her defense? Why not?
Carano hasn't had a mainstream Hollywood gig since that 2021 firing. Oscar nominee James Woods hasn't starred in a film since 2014's "Jamesy Boy." Why? He's an openly conservative star, and the film industry cast him aside for his views.
They're far from alone, and they have new company.
British singer M.I.A. just got fired from Kid Cudi's tour for sharing right-leaning views on stage. Every other singer rants about President Trump during their concerts with no ensuing punishment or blowback.
Not M.I.A.
Will Bardem condemn her dismissal? Or will he ignore it as he did with Carano, Woods, and other right-leaning artists?
We know the answer, of course. And he's not the only "free speech warrior" to pick and choose who they defend. Consider Jane Fonda, who has rebranded herself (again!) as a First Amendment warrior. She won't say a peep about M.I.A. Bank on it.
Bardem may indeed have lost some opportunities for his hard-Left activism. And that's wrong. His unwillingness to defend others who have been punished far worse for speaking their minds says plenty about his stance.
