PENELOPE CRUZ is poised to join 007 “On Her Majesty’s Secret Service” by becoming the oldest Bond Girl ever.
The Latina sexpot is set to steal the title from Honor Blackman, who was 39 when she starred in “Goldfinger” as Pussy Galore. Penelope will be 40 by the time filming on the 24th Bond adventure begins next year.
Frustrated producers have been trying to land the stunner for the past six 007 films, and they’re delighted their timetables finally mesh, say sources.
“Bond Girls have a history of being strong, beautiful and seductive women, and Penelope fits that role perfectly,” declared an insider.
Other than the return of Daniel Craig as 007, casting is still up in the air for the still-untitled project. But studio bosses believe Oscar winner Penelope has such a strong screen presence that they want her to play the leader of an evil empire – the first time that a female will be boss of the bad guys.
Fortunately, she has an excellent role model in her hubby Javier Bardem, who won raves as the villain Raoul Silva in the last Bond blockbuster, “Skyfall.”
“Movie executives see Penelope as the ultimate Bond Girl and one of the few women who can carry off the part of an archvillain,” said the insider. “It doesn’t hurt her case that Javier was brilliant in ‘Skyfall.’”
Even though the actress – mom to 2-year-old son Leo – is close to giving birth to her second child with Javier, the insider said: “She’ll have plenty of time to get back into shape for the movie.”
