Is Penélope Cruz the Next Bond Girl? Speculation Surfaces After Casting Memo Is Reportedly Leaked

Studio tells E! News, however, that it "doesn't comment on rumors"

By Peter Gicas Apr 14, 2014 9:00 PMTags
Penelope Cruz, OscarsJordan Strauss/Invision/AP

The name's Cruz. Penélope Cruz. But is the gorgeous girl going to be the next Bond girl?

Rumors are, once again, running rampant that the Oscar winner will portray the love interest to Daniel Craig's superspy in the next installment of the 007 franchise, simply known as Bond 24 right now.

The casting speculation surfaced after a document was reportedly leaked by Sony Pictures, which apparently lists Cruz as a castmember in the upcoming flick.

However, when E! News reached out for a comment, we were simply told, "Studio doesn't comment on rumors."

This isn't the first time Cruz's name has come up in connection with Bond 24.

Last summer, there were rumors the 39-year-old actress was in negotiations to join the follow-up to the hugely successful Skyfall, which happened to feature her husband, Javier Bardem.

However, an insider told Us Weekly at the time, "Penélope is not in talks to be a Bond girl in a James Bond movie. The stories are totally false."

Hmm. Guess time will tell.

Director Sam Mendes, who helmed Skyfall, will take the reins again for Bond 24.

That's a good thing, of course. After all, with over $1 billion in global box office receipts, Skyfall is the highest-grossing film in the franchise's 50-year history. It stands as one of the most rousingly received entries in the Bond canon, and many credit Mendes with invigorating the franchise by bringing a rich depth and complexity to the Bond persona, and providing a telling glimpse into his elusive backstory.

Oscar-nominated screenwriter John Logan has penned the script for Bond 24.

The film is set for release in U.K. theaters on Oct. 23, 2015 and in U.S. theaters on Nov. 6, 2015. With or without Cruz.