Penelope Cruz to Play a Bond Girl? (Dear Lord, We Hope So)

by Mily Dunbar

Apparently, last summer there was talk about Penelope Cruz taking a role in Sam Mendes’ follow up to Skyfall. This week in things we hope are true, a French magazine has found proof(?) that the actress will be in the movie. Sony put her name alongside Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, and Naomie Harris on a release update that included Bond 24. It’s possible that it was an administrative error, but if it wasn’t, how mother-effing great is that news?

Given the franchise’s grittier, more character-driven take since Casino Royale and its ability to attract a well-respected director like Mendes, it’s no surprise that they are finding higher caliber actresses willing to play Bond girls. And no offense, Denise Richards, but Academy Award winner Cruz is a major upgrade. She has done her best work in smaller films, working with directors like Ridley Scott, Woody Allen, and her old friend Pedro Almodovar. But she did do that Pirates of the Caribbean sequel, so she’s willing to outlandish and over the top. I really hope this report is true. I have great affection for Craig’s Bond, but he hasn’t had a great Bond girl since Eva Green’s Vesper. Cruz could set a new high-water mark for the franchise.

Chiwetel Ejiofer is supposedly the villain this time around, taking the mantle from Cruz’s husband, Javier Bardem. He isn’t mentioned on the update, but except for the returning cast, nothing much seems settled. Bond 24 is set to be released on November 6, 2015.

Source: Premiere Magazine via Empire

GeekTyrant Homepage