Gemma Arterton Succeeds Eva Green As Bond Girl
British actress Gemma Arterton has been confirmed as the new Bond girl in the upcoming James Bond film which is to star Daniel Craig once more.

“Casino Royal,” released in 2006 and starring Daniel Craig as the famed agent of the British Secret Intelligence Service, featured Eva Green as the seductive Vesper Lynd. The French beauty had already made a name for herself through her roles in Bernardo Bertolucci’s “The Dreamers” and Ridley Scott’s “Kingdom of Heaven.”

Gemma Arterton however is, at 21, a newcomer.

The latest installment of the James Bond franchise, with the working title “Bond 22,” is currently filming in London for Columbia Pictures and MGM, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Marc Forster is directing the film, which will continue the story presented in 2006’s “Casino Royale.”

Speculation that Gemma Arterton would join the cast was finally confirmed Friday, by Eon Prods. in London and Santa Monica-based Danjaq Prods., as well as Arterton's agent, ICM in London.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the announcement of Arterton’s casting did not include details about her character, but a Danjaq rep said “it's a nice-sized role.” The young actress will portray Fields.

The 21-year-old, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, currently co-stars alongside Colin Firth and Rupert Everett in “St. Trinian’s,” directed by Oliver Parker.

She recently completed filming on Guy Ritchie's “RocknRolla,” set for release in October. The film stars Gerard Butler, Thandie Newton, and Tom Wilkinson.

In “Bond 22,” she will join Craig, Dame Judi Dench, Giancarlo Giannini, Mathieu Amalric, Jeffrey Wright and Jesper Christensen.

Paul Haggis teamed with Forster on a draft of Neal Purvis and Robert Wade's screenplay. The movie is set for release Nov. 7.

“Casino Royale” enjoyed massive ticket sales in the United States and around the world upon release, despite initial widespread skepticism regarding the casting of the blond and blue-eyed Daniel Craig as James Bond, famously embodied by his predecessor Pierce Brosnan in “GoldenEye,” “Tomorrow Never Dies,” “The World Is Not Enough” and “Die Another Day.”

Perhaps “Bond 22” is to have a similar fate.