Italian actress Monica Bellucci is set to make history as the oldest actress to be cast to play a Bond girl in the upcoming instalment of the James Bond franchise.
The 50-year-old stunner is set to play Lucia Sciarra and will join fellow newbie, Léa Seydoux and Naomie Harris, who reprise her Skyfall role of Eve Moneypenny.
Director Sam Mendes has revealed the cast of the 24th Bond film, which sees Daniel Craig, 46, returning as 007.
While Bellucci is a veteran of cinema and screen the enduring film franchise has helped lauch the careers of many actresses. Here are a look at the memorable women who took on 007.
At 50-year-old Monica Bellucci is the oldest woman cast as a Bond Girl.
Ursula Andress as Honey Ryder in Dr. No (1962). Honey Ryder: “What are you doing here? Looking for shells?” James Bond: “No, I’m just looking.”
Barbara Bach as Anya Amasova in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). “When this mission is over, I will kill you.”
Berenice Marlohe as Severine in Skyfall (2012). “Be careful what you wish for…”
Carole Bouquet as Melina Havelock in For Your Eyes Only (1981). “I don’t expect you to understand. You’re English. But I’m half-Greek, and Greek women, like Elektra, always avenge their loved ones.”
Caroline Munro as Naomi in The Spy Who Loved Me (1977).
Caterina Murino as Solange Dimitrios in Casino Royale (2006). Solange: “You like married women, don’t you, James?” James Bond: “It keeps things simple.”
Claudine Auger as Domino Derval in Thunderball (1965). Domino Derval: “How do you know my friends call me Domino?” James Bond: “It’s on the bracelet on your ankle.” Domino Derval: “So what sharp little eyes you’ve got.” James Bond: “Wait ’til you get to my teeth.”
Daniela Bianchi as Tatiana Romanova in From Russia with Love (1963). Tatiana: “You look surprised. I thought you expected me.”
Denise Richards as Christmas Jones in The World Is Not Enough (1999). “You wanna put that in English for those of us who don’t speak Spy?”
Diana Rigg as Teresa Di Vicenzo aka Tracy Bond (James Bond’s only wife) in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969). “Teresa is a saint; I’m known as Tracy.”
Eva Green as Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale (2006). “I’m the money.”
Famke Janssen as Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye (1995). James Bond: “Well, I must say, I’ve had a lovely evening. You?” Xenia Onatopp: “Once again the pleasure was all yours.”
Gemma Arterton as Strawberry Fields in Quantum of Solace (2008). Strawberry Fields: “If you attempt to flee I will arrest you, drop you off at the jail and take you to the plane in chains, understand?” James Bond: “[Opening the taxi door] Perfectly. After you.”
Halle Berry as Jinx in Die Another Day (2002). James Bond: “Do you believe in bad luck?” Jinx: “Let’s just say my relationships don’t seem to last.” James Bond: “I know the feeling.”
Honor Blackman as Pussy Galore in Goldfinger (1964). James Bond: “Who are you?” Pussy Galore: “My name is Pussy Galore.” James Bond: “I must be dreaming.”
Izabella Scorupco as Natalya Simonova in GoldenEye (1995). Natalya Simonova: “Oh, I’m not getting on a helicopter with you. No plane, nor train! Nothing that moves!” James Bond: “Darling, what could possibly go wrong? Eh?”
Jane Seymour as Solitaire in Live and Let Die (1973). [Bond picks “The Fool” out of Solitaire’s deck of cards.] Solitaire: “You have found yourself.”
Kim Basinger as Domino Petachi in Never Say Never Again (1983).
Lois Chiles as Dr Holly Goodhead in Moonraker (1979). James Bond: “A woman!” Holly Goodhead: “Your powers of observation do you credit, Mr. Bond.”
Grace Jones as May Day in A View to a Kill (1985). May Day: “Somebody will take care of you.” James Bond: “Oh, you’ll see to that personally, will you?”
Mie Hama as Kissy Suzuki in You Only Live Twice (1967). Kissy Suzuki: “No honeymoon. This is business.” James Bond: [Pushing aside his oyster dinner.] “Well, I won’t need these.”
Naomie Harris as Eve in Skyfall (2012). James Bond: [about getting shot] “In your defense, a moving target is harder to hit.” Eve: “Then you’d better keep moving.”
Olga Kurylenko as Camille Montes in Quantum of Solace (2008). Camille: [To Bond] “There is something horribly efficient about you.”
Rosamund Pike as Miranda Frost in Die Another Day (2002). Miranda: [To Bond] ‘I know all about you—sex for dinner, death for breakfast.”
Shirley Eaton as Jill Masterson in Goldfinger (1964). Jill: “I’m beginning to like you, Mr. Bond.”
Talisa Soto as Lupe Lamora in Licence to Kill (1989).
Teri Hatcher as Paris Carver in Tomorrow Never Dies (1997). Paris: [To Bond]: “If it comes to a choice between you and Elliot, I’ve made my bed. You don’t sleep in it anymore.”
