Penelope Cruz to star in `Bond 24`?

Los Angeles: Spanish beauty Penelope Cruz will reportedly join the next James Bond movie. Sony`s latest release schedule update shows the wife of `Skyfall` villain Javier Bardem among the cast of `Bond 24`.

The role which Cruz is playing is still unknown, but when the casting rumour first emerged last summer, she was linked to play the leading lady. If the rumour is true, then 39-year-old Cruz will be the first Spanish and the oldest it girl in Bond history. The film is due to hit theatres in the US on November 6, 2015. Director Sam Mendes and screenwriter John Logan return for the `Skyfall` sequel, while Daniel Craig reprises his 007 spy agent role. `12 Years a Slave` star Chiwetel Ejiofor is eyed to play the villain. Ralph Fiennes is confirmed to reprise his role as James Bond`s new boss after Judi Dench`s character met her demise in the last movie. Naomie Harris (Eve Moneypenny) and Ben Whishaw (Q) are expected to return as well. Besides the Bond girl, producers are also looking for an actress to play "a Scandinavian with a troubled past who will serve as a brief love interest for Bond." It is rumoured that Swedish actresses Ida Engvoll and Disa Ostrand have auditioned for the movie.