Penelope-CruzJust days after hearing that Sam Mendes is set to direct Bond 24, having previously thought that other commitments would rule him out of returning, it looks like the franchise’s producers are getting underway with casting the sequel as well.

Yahoo Movies UK report that Penélope Cruz is set to begin work on the as-yet-untitled Bond 24 next summer, which would see her become the oldest Bond girl in the series, turning 40 next April to beat out Honor Blackman’s 39 years of age when she starred as Pussy Galore in Goldfinger.

According to a source close to the production,

“The producers have tried to get Penélope 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.”

The actress, married to Skyfall’s Javier Bardem, is currently pregnant with her second child, and is reportedly due to give birth any day now.

She has most recently been seen in a cameo appearance for past collaborator Pedro Almodóvar’s I’m So Excited, and will be seen later this year opposite Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, and Cameron Diaz in Ridley Scott’s The Counselor, which is somewhat naturally surrounded by early buzz ahead of the Oscars.

And whilst there’s been no confirmation either way just yet, given the conclusion of Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if we see her crop up in the upcoming Pirates of the Caribbean 5.

Daniel Craig is of course reprising his iconic role as James Bond, and whilst we’ve not got official confirmation, it’s highly likely that at least Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, and Ralph Fiennes will be back for more as well.

John Logan came on board last year to write the script for the sequel, and whilst Craig reportedly denied it in the Skyfall junkets, it’s thought that Logan might well be writing a two-film arc that would conclude in Bond 25, which is a very interesting possibility to consider.

Bond 24 is currently without a release date. But MGM are expecting to have it in theatres within three years. And if the above report is indeed right, that work will be getting underway next summer, it could well be in our theatres towards the end of 2015.

Previous articleThe Stone Roses: Made of Stone Review
Next articleDexter Season Seven DVD Review
Since graduating, I spend as much time as possible watching films/TV shows, reading books, and listening to music. So getting to write about what I love is nothing short of awesome. Biggest film-related hope for 2014/ever: Guy Ritchie announcing the RocknRolla sequel is finally moving forward.