We've known for some time that Naomie Harris has been in talks to play a Bond girl in the the next 007 movie.
Now, according to a report by the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, we hear she's set to play M's secretary (and James Bond's flirt-object) Moneypenny.
The iconic character has been played by five actresses since Dr No in 1962, if you include appearances in unofficial Bond movies Casino Royale (1967) and Never Say Never Again .
Lois Maxwell played the character across 14 movies, before Caroline Bliss took over for the Timothy Dalton films. Samantha Bond was the Brosnan-era Moneypenny
The character hasn't appeared in the Bond movies during Craig's tenure, but that looks set to change.
Harris would be a smart choice for Moneypenny, with the kind of understated good looks and quiet intelligence that should provide more than a match for the swaggering secret agent.
Bamigboye also confirms that Javier Bardem and Ralph Fiennes, who have both been rumoured to be attached, are locked in.
Surely it can't be too long before we get some official casting announcements (and a proper title) for this one.
If these reports are accurate, then this Sam Mendes-directed instalment is shaping up to be one of the classiest blockbusters in production, and should easily make audiences forget the messy Quantum Of Solace .
Bond 23 will open on 26 October 2012.
