Penelope Cruz to be "the oldest ever Bond girl"

James Bond himself may be getting on a bit. Three films into the franchise, Daniel Craig is 45. The most recent Bond film, 'Skyfall', had many jokes about ageing and retirement.

And now Penelope Cruz is set to become the oldest Bond girl ever – at the age of 40.

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The Spanish actress, who is pregnant with her second child with actor husband Javier Bardem, will start work on the as yet unnamed 24th Bond movie next summer. She will be 40 next April.

A source close to the production of the £100 million film, likely to be directed by Sam Mendes after his success with 'Skyfall', said: ‘"The producers have tried to get Penelope before, but she has never been available because of other commitments. The discussions have been going on for some time and they are working out the contract details now."

Cruz will take the title of oldest Bond girl from British actress Honor Blackman, who was 39 when she appeared in 1962’s 'Goldfinger' as Pussy Galore.

Cruz, who won Best Supporting Actress for her part in the 2008 Woody Allen film 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona', has a two-year-old son, Leo and is due to give birth any day now.

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The source said: "She got back into shape fast after the first baby and will no doubt regain her  figure quickly this time. She’ll be a great Bond girl. Bond girls are always brainy as well as sexy, and that’s totally Penelope."

Cruz and Bardem started dating in 2007 and married in July 2010 in the Bahamas.
They are one of Hollywood’s most low-key couples, preferring to spend most of their time in their native Spain. Mendes last week said he was in talks to direct the next two Bond movies, which will mark the end of Daniel Craig’s run as 007.