Penelope Cruz has beat actresses half her age to win a role in the next James Bond movie, making her 007’s oldest love interest.
Penelope will be 40 when production starts on the as-yet unnamed sequel to 2012 blockbuster Skyfall.
This makes her the oldest Bond girl in all 24 films, beating previous record holder Honor Blackman, who was 39 when she played Pussy Galore in 1964 classic Goldfinger.
Penelope — who is pregnant with her second child with husband Javier Bardem — will reportedly play a “brainy and sexy” character in the movie, which is likely to be directed by Skyfall’s Sam Mendes.
“The producers have tried to get Penelope before, but she has never been available because of other commitments,” a source to the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper.
“The discussions have been going on for some time and they are working out the contract details now.”
Daniel Craig will play James Bond in the film, his penultimate appearance as Britain’s most famous spy.
Penelope and Javier have one son, two-year-old Leo, and another baby due this month.
