Naomie Harris is Moneypenny in Bond 23; Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem "locked" for key roles

One of the things that has suited the Daniel Craig-era James Bond so well was the stripping down of a lot of the excess that plagued the spy flicks for years. Far too many silly characters and even sillier weapons. Invisible car? Really? These were fun, but I always thought took away from the original intent of Ian Fleming's character. But one character that I actually was hoping would return in some way appears to be back in a big way, as TheDailyMail reports that Naomie Harris(28 Days Later) is set to play Moneypenny in Bond 23.

Harris had been rumored to be a part of the Sam Mendes directed flick for some time, with negotiations heating up last month. Miss Moneypenny is the flirty secretary to M(Judi Dench), and little more than a sexual foil for to Bond. The two have never actually hooked up from what I an remember. In Fleming's novels and in the movies, she's somewhat obsessed with Bond, however the flirtation is really only apparent on the screen adaptations. She's been played by three actresses over the course of 20 films, most recently by Samantha Bond in 2002's Die Another Day.

The report also suggests that Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem are both "locked" in for the film. Bardem's involvement was a bit sketchier, due to The Dark Tower looming large in the near future. But with that film kinda sorta being in limbo right now, I guess he can fit this in. Bardem is said to be the villain of the film, with Fiennes' character being a bit more complex.

Look, you can't bring in somebody like Naomie Harris and expect her to just behind a desk and look pretty. She's sexy and tough, and would make for a hell of sidekick for Bond if the script calls for it. I'm hoping this means she's going to have a much larger role than your average Bond Girl.

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