MI6 has picked up on a rumor circulating in the Hong Kong papers: James Bond 23 director Sam Mendes is looking to Asia to cast a Bond girl.
Apparently, of the 100+ contenders interviewed by EON Productions, Tang Wei is top of the list and her grasp of English is excellent.
MI6 writes that: “The role will be on the wrong side of 007 as scouts were looking for a sexy actress that can exude an evil.”
Other contenders include Fan Bingbing, Li Bingbing, Shu Qi and Josie Ho.
According to reports of rumors sent in to Bond23.net today Brianna Meighan is in the running for the villain’s girlfriend role. Meighan might have already been a Bond girl, having had a cameo part in Quantum of Solace. As fans of the franchise will know, Bond has frequently been one for repeat castings with actors such as Shane Rimmer appearing in multiple Bond films as different characters.
Meighan is a 29 year old native of Virginia and has found work on E! Entertainment channel as well as fashion modeling.
Our source claims insider knowledge and to be connected to Pinewood, but details are scarce.
Two gorgeous girls are already known hot contenders for a role.
According to the usually suspect Daily Mail, Helen McCrory has won a role in James Bond 23. British born McCrory is famed for playing Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter saga as well as portraying Cherie Blair in two Peter Morgan penned dramas: The Queen and The Special Relationship.
In the same article, journalist Baz Bamigboye asserts that French star Berenice Marlohe is Bond’s latest lady friend after screen-testing at Pinewood with Sam Mendes. Perhaps this is what the Guardian meant when it suggested that 007 was ‘filming’ at Pinewood already? Marlohe was rumored to have won the part back in September – what said part involves it remains to be seen.
Ben Wishaw‘s name continues to be associated with the production, although it is unclear what role he might be lined up for.
According to a quick tip from Twitch Film, Daniel Craig may be playing opposite this beautiful Frenchwoman in James Bond 23.
Most blogs and news sources are reporting it as rumor but Twitch are calling it “breaking news” and asserting the rumors to be true.
The young French actress has made a string of successful TV productions and is currently shooting her second feature film: Un bonheur n’arrive jamais seul.
Although Aces Showbiz only cites a unnamed source, they are reporting that Ana Araujo (famed in English speaking countries for being the girlfriend of the Rolling Stones’s Ronnie Wood) is in the running for the same role as Brit Naomie Harris.
A source close to the movie project told the tabloid, “Ana is really excited.” The source added, “It’s all very new to her but she is optimistic about the prospect of landing the role. It’s very much a case of watch this space.”
It is unclear which tabloid or if this blogger means Aces Showbiz itself.
According to the same source Araujo has been focusing on livening her acting career and in a recent interview confessed to wanting to work with incumbent Bond star, Daniel Craig.
“I’m now focusing on acting. I’ve got some major roles coming up. My ideal role would be to be a Bond girl and with Daniel Craig as my James Bond, he’s perfect and very handsome.”
Treat such loose connections and rumorswith skepticism.
Older than Bond23.net herself, this rumor has legs… if not foundation.
According to the Toronto Sun Pinto, famed for Slumdog Millionaire, is keeping her options open and is ‘coy’ about any role in Bond 23:
“As Bond?” she responds, smiling. “I don’t know — I haven’t read anything, I haven’t seen anything yet, so I’m not sure about that. I’m not predicting anything. I cannot see the future.”
“If the character’s interesting and not just a cardboard cut-out — because I have a problem doing that. But I’d like to be Bond.”
The first casting news for a while, and with a little credibility, has hit the news blogs.
According to sources at Coming Soon Ben Whishaw (who co-starred with Daniel Craig in Layer Cake) may be up for a role. Who, or indeed what kind of role he will be playing, was “not disclosed”.
The same site offers us some Bond girl character rumours but they might have got mixed up…… with the villain from Literary adventure ‘Carte Blanche’ by Jeffery Deaver:
We also have learned from the same source that the two “Bond Girls” this time around will be a “beautiful English Agent” and a “Beautiful Asian woman” named “Severin.”
As most Bond fans will remember Severan Hydt was the villain in ‘Carte Blanche’.
According to the Israeli news and gossip site YNet James Bond casting agents are on the hunt for an “exotic girl” and Model Esti Ginzburg fits the bill.
They claim that the model has been invited to “preliminary” casting and her agent declined to comment.
The 21 year old currently lives in Tel Aviv, and made her Hollywood debut in the 2010 film Twelve.
The House (FOX) star that was being touted as a new James Bond girl by England’s Daily Mirror tabloid has denied rumors of her involvement in James Bond 23.
The American actress is preparing to star with current 007 actor Daniel Craig in Cowboys and Aliens but today via her twitter social networking account Wilde said she has “no plans to do Bond”.
Additionally, Freida Pinto‘s agent has reiterated her lack of involvement in the new Bond flick. According to MI6 her agent announced: “I would like to confirm that as of today, Freida Pinto has not been approached to be part of the next ‘Bond’ film.”