James Bond Casting Rumors: Penelope Cruz is rumored to star in the next James Bond film. Penelope Cruz, who most recently starred in the movie "The Counselor," may star next movie in the spy franchise.

Speculation that Penelope Cruz will join the James Bond franchise, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary by pulling in $1 billion worldwide and nabbing two Academy Awards, is ripe as it moves into the 21st century.  James Bond, Mr. 007, the 00 meaning he's got a license to kill, has a new boss MI6 Head Secretary Moneypenny is now played by Naomie Harris. He's got a new guy making bombs that explode in pens and, Q is now played by Ben Whishaw. The new M will be played by Ralph Fiennes and Daniel Craig is still drinking those shaken martinis.

The 24th James Bond movie installment will be directed by Sam Mendes, who has been working on stage productions lately. The screenplay is being written by John Logan. Mendes and Logan also spearheaded "Skyfall."

James Craig recently told Vulture "Hopefully we'll reclaim some of the old irony, and make sure it doesn't become pastiche. I can't do shtick, I'm not very good at it. Unless it kind of suddenly makes sense. Does that make sense? I sometimes wish I hammed it up more, but I just can't do it very well, so I don't do it."

The next bond will start shooting next year after Daniel Craig and Academy Award winning actress Rachel Weisz, Craig's significant other, finish their Broadway run of the Harold Pinter play "Betrayal." "Betrayal" is directed by famed "Graduate" director with Mike Nichols directing. The rumor is that Penelope Cruz will play Bond's female partner. No word on who the bad guy is.