The other day we posted a picture of good old James Bond in a bathing suit while discussing the possible title for the next installment. I guess it’s only fair to play tit for tat and talk about the latest Bond girl for what may or may not be called 007. Her name is Gemma Arterton, and she’s a 22-year-old British woman (22 years for Bond 22? Nice...) who’s had virtually no professional credits to her name. That’s right, you can be fresh out of drama school and plucked out of obscurity to make out with Daniel Craig-- dreams really do come true!
Marie Claire UK reported that Arterton has the part, though it hasn’t been confirmed by the filmmakers behind Bond 22/007. She’s most recently been in a movie called St. Trinian’s, which seems to be one of those things that is popular in the U.K. and completely mystifying to everyone else. Colin Firth and Rupert Everett are in it, though, so it must have some recognition. Also, according to her profile at the RADA website (that’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, one of the most prestigious acting schools in England), she’s trained in stage combat, Elizbethan dance and polka. We all know James Bond is a man of many talents, but who knew a Bond girl needed to be so skilled too?
There’s no telling if this rumor will turn out to be true, even though it’s being widely spread around the Internet, but I have to say I’m already attached to her. You don’t get into RADA on good looks and no skill, whcih is a way of saying she will be no Denise Richards as a rocket scientist in whichever Pierce Brosnan Bond movie that was. Eva Green’s character in Casino Royale was a great match for 007-- smart, witty, able to get herself out of a fix-- and I’d like to think that, by casting someone trained in Polka dancing, for God’s sake, they’re continuing that trend. And, of course, this 23-year-old living in obscurity is now waiting for her turn with a certain big-screen secret agent.
