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Update: Freida Pinto & Olivia Wilde Are NOT Cast in Bond 23

by Alex Billington
March 21, 2010

Now this is definitely an interesting casting story. BangShowbiz through Yahoo UK is reporting that Freida Pinto, the Indian actress who starred in Slumdog Millionaire, has landed a role as one of the Bond Girls in the upcoming Bond 23 due in 2011. The last bit of news we reported on this sequel was that Oscar winning director Sam Mendes was on-board to at least "consult" and hopefully direct this newest Bond movie, but nothing was moving forward until MGM found a buyer. On top of the Pinto news, the article also mentions that Tron Legacy actress Olivia Wilde "has been approached" to play a role as another Bond girl as well.

We're not sure how true all of this is, but here's what they say. Apparently Pinto has signed a "multi-million pound deal" to play one of Bond's love interests and their source says it "will be a typically glamorous and raunchy role." Additionally, they claim that it will be set in Afghanistan, which to me seems like a sign that this may not be true. I can't really see a Bond movie set there, plus no Bond movie is ever set in one location alone. As for Wilde's character, they say she plays "a double-crossing UN worker based in Afghanistan." If that's not enough, they also say Sam Mendes "has been talking about Bond for months now" and is going for "the most ambitious 007 yet" with "plans to reinvent the genre." That's a lot to claim in one article.

As much as I would love to see both Pinto and Wilde in the next Bond movie, especially because I consider the both of them to be two of the most beautiful actresses out there, I don't know if I believe it. I'm calling this a rumor for now because this just feels a bit like one of those sketchy tabloid claims and we haven't heard anything else anywhere before this that hinted that either of them were involved. Plus, MGM hasn't finalized a sale yet, so I'm pretty damn sure they're not signing any "multi-million pound" deals right now. Of course, we'll let you know how this turns out, so stay tuned! Do you hope this casting is true, too?

Update: As I expected, this turned out to be nothing but a total BS rumor fabricated by the British tabloids. Movieline posted an update confirming that both Olivia Wilde and Freida Pinto are not cast in Bond 23 and probably won't be in it at all. So I wouldn't believe anything reported, from the casting to the "reinvent the genre" quote. Wilde wrote on Twitter: "Despite the rumors, I have no plans to do Bond, but the internet may be confused as I am doing Cowboys & Aliens with Daniel Craig." Pinto's reps said: "I would like to confirm that as of today, Freida Pinto has not been approached to be part of the next Bond film." There you have it. It was a good rumor while it lasted, but it's time to move on now.

Explore tags: Casting, James Bond, Movie News, Rumors

Jason

The more Olivia Wilde, the better.
ben chacko

both are sooooooo hot!
Linkfx

Honestly it sounds too good to be true...but these are two of the hottest actresses around and both would be perfect for a bond film...and Sam mendes is a true bad ass. Can't wait for an official announcement.
Nick

The genre has already been reinvented. You're looking at it. You can't reinvent the reinvented. Bond is brilliant now. I hate dumb crap like that.
Cody w

Honestly Id love to see Bond go up the dark and gritty isle...maybe even an R rating though thats a big stretch. Seriously Bond has always been the more light humored and kid friendly Pg-13 movies imagine bond kicking some ass, blood and gore and all. Maybe even have Bond age a bit for once, but thats a just a dream of mine to see the character we all know aged and past his prime but still kicking major ass. Olivia Wilde if its true will probably be the good/actually bad Bond girl cause she just has that look to her. But if anybody can make the genre go the way I just explained its Sam Mendes. Your taking a big risk though changing the good ole Bond formula and I really wish a writer/director would take that risk. #4 Dont see how its already been reinvented besides the modernized turn it took when Casino Royale came out which really just followed the same formula. O yes and cast Mark Strong as the next villain and we have a winner no matter what.
Loser

Sam Mendes as director would be awesome really want this to happen, beautiful girls too
athena

Oh wow, I think this is a good choice....I would love to see Jennifer Aniston as a Bond girl...she'd be great. Mark Strong would be a great villan too. I wasn't to crazy about the second Bond, but did enjoy it...Casino Royale, yes, Daniel Craig....I think that is your best Bond....stick to that format and it will be a definite hit.
People's Champ

@cody Now Mark Strong has got to be casted as the villian in every movie now. Come on, everybody wants to bitch about hollywood not being original.
Cineprog

They want to go back to the original concept of the Bond Film. I don't like Danel Craig has bond I prefured Pearse Bronsnon has Bond has for the storyline of the Bond 23 they want to get that sort out first. lets hope we here more about bond in forthcoming months.
Cody w

@8 No he doesnt, but seriously Mark Strong plays the perfect freaking villain and what better person would you choose at the moment? Hes a great at every role he takes villain or not but getting him in a Bond film would make everyone notice him even more......because in my opinion the more Mark Strong the better, no matter what role it is he embodies them perfectly. Watch Revolver then Body of lies youll see what I mean.
Sean

@7 You have to be joking about Rachel Greene as a Bond Girl. Christ on a cracker. Might as well have Smelly Cat as the next Bond Girl. Now Olivia Wilde I can get down with.
Lovely

Now Olivia Wilde and Freida Pinto I can go down on
Xerxex

Good casting move, both are pretty and can act to boot.
athena

no 13...Oh silly me, I thought I said Jennifer Aniston (smirk), not her character Rachel Greene...there is a big difference...hey, even Jane Seymour...aka Dr. Quinn Medicine woman was a Bond girl....get your head out yer bum and see these people as actors not as who they portray on the big screen.
Loser

My personal opinion of Jennifer Aniston is that she is one of the worst actressess around, and she is not beautiful either.
Xerxex

Pinto is a beautiful and talented actress!
Sean

#18 oh you're one of those. She's Rachel in every lame movie she's ever been in so I'm going to call her Rachel. Her version of "acting" is not needed in Bond. Shit her version of "acting" is not needed period. And Jane Seymour in her heyday was a goddess and was a Bond girl way before she ever was Dr. Quinn so I'm not sure what you're trying to argue there. Your girl sucks.
andy

Alex, you said you couldn't see a bond movie set in afghanistan, but we have already had one- timothy dalton 's living daylights.
Craig

Never heard of Freida Pinto, but I heartily approve of Olivia Wilde as a Bond girl. I just wish they'd bring back Martin Campbell to direct. Sam Mendes *might* be able to pull it off. I've only seen one of his movies, Road to Perdition, and it was great. But I'm just still highly skeptical of any director, after Marc Forster thoroughly ruined Quantum of Solace.
James

Both good choices for Bond girls, felt Quantum of Solace was lacking in that aspect. Olga Kurylenko just didn't seem to cut it (and Gemma Arterton was hardly in it). Although this casting and story information may be a rumour, as far as Afghanistan goes being a possible locale, its not that much of a stretch of the imagination. The Living Daylights, with the original 'rough and tumble' Bond of Timothy Dalton, had its last act take place in Afghanistan, at the height of the Soviet-Afghan conflict in 1987, two years before the eventual Soviet withdrawal in 1989. Although it could potentially be politically charged, I could definitely see Bond make an appearance there again.
Logan

You got me there bub, i always wanted to be a bond girl. Dang it. I was extremely furious when Hritik Roshan declined the offer for Prince of Persia. and then it went to Jake Gyllenhall. Hritik would have made MUCH better prince. I really dont have the time or patience to be jealous of anyone (or go on shaadi.com for that matter). I am just stating a fact that imo freida pinto is an extremely average looking woman and there are loads of indian actresses who are MUCH MUCH more beautiful. All im talking about are the looks.. and that is why i never flamed about slumdog coz freida did a good job there. But when u say BOND GIRL, acting isnt really the first thing that comes to ur mind, is it. Im sorry but you just cant put Ursula Andress and Freida Pinto in the same bracket. period.
DaftPUNKFAN

my oh my despite all the drama on this page, these two lovely ladies are HOT can wait for the bond movie
Xerxex

Good edit FS.net, got kinda weird for a second there.
Logan

thanks for edit
athena

Funny how these no.s are mixed up...or maybe they're just a mistake. Y'know, what it boils down to is who the directors pick. I'm all for picking an actor that may have potential to break out of their stereotype acting....that is, if they have a look...they can create the character...that's why they get the big bucks and we get to pay for their careers. Personally, I don't care who they chose to act the Bond girl(s) they can bring Ursula Andress back again for all I can...I'd still watch the Bond films...we all know in our own opinion what it takes to be a Bond girl...Freido Pinto isn't the best looking Indian girl, and I can see how she was chosen.....Like Eva Green is beautiful and there are women of her nationality that are even more beautiful than she. All that aside, the two actresses chosen, I'm sure it isn't a mistake. Funny thing, I've never been a 'Friends' fan and just found out that Rachel Green was Jennifer Anistons' character name. Well, being that Brad Pitt starting out doing soap operas.....goes to show you the wide genre of characters an actor can acheive to.
Kris

Wilde PLEASE!!! It was the only reason I watched Year One, lol.
Chase

Wow, this may intice me to see the next Bond, sooner than I planned. Better news would be to cut Daniel Craigs contract into pieces and get an actor who can act and be BOND. The previous two made me upchuck in my mouth.
Cody w

Dont know what your talking about he played Bond like Ian Flemming originally meant him to act like, a no bullshit to the point spy. Not some swagging constantly horny smartass. Yeah and weird is an understatement to where this thread went, good edit.
shreeve sentry howlett

Daniel Craig is The Bond! Makes all the bond villains run for their money. My favourite bonds in chronological order: Sean Connery Roger Moore Timothy Dalton Pierce Brosnan Daniel Craig (too bad, I'm a fanboy who likes all the bonds and their actors) Current #1 = Daniel Craig. Bond is not just a lover, he is a bad ass. Daniel Craig is not only an awesome Jame Bond but an amazing actor as well.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

Just updated the post and confirmed that this rumor was a bunch of BS anyway... So you guys can all stop debating about who's hot or not, because it's not true. Neither Pinto or Wilde are cast in Bond 23 (for now)!
jason

i think aishwarya rai will be perfect to be the next bond girl!
Lorna

Aishwarya Rai would be brilliant opposite daniel craig, I really hope she gets the role