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Penélope Cruz to play bond girl?


Penélope Cruz could be set to star in the next James Bond film.

The 39-year-old actress is reportedly in the running to play the spy’s lover in the upcoming next instalment, which will be a follow up to ‘Skyfall’ which starred Cruz’s husband Javier Bardem as the villainous Silva.

Director Sam Mendes is reportedly keen to get the brunette beauty to star alongside current Bond actor Daniel Craig, who will play the super-spy for the fourth time next year.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Bond bosses have been chasing her [Cruz] since Daniel became 007 in 2006. But schedules and her pregnancies meant it never materialised."

Cruz – who has 3-year-old son Leonardo and 9-month-old daughter Luna with Bardem – would follow in the footsteps of actresses including Halle Berry and Gemma Arterton to become a ‘bond girl’ and would also star alongside ‘Skyfall’ actors Ralph Fiennes and Naomi Harris.

However, the production team behind the film have so far made no comment as to whether they have approached Cruz for the role.

The source added: "At this stage no one at Sony will confirm it."

’12 Years a Slave’ star Chiwetel Ejiofor has been tipped to play the main "baddie" in the film with Swedish beauties Ida Engvoll and Disa Ostrand already having completed screen tests to play extra love interests.

Filming is expected to begin in November with a release date of October 2015.