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THE NEW BOND GIRL

JAMES BLADONJBLADON@C-DM.CO.UK09:30 - 02 February 2006
An actress who grew up in West Cornwall could be on the verge of landing a starring role in the new James Bond film. Thandie Newton, 33, who went to school in Penzance, has been hotly tipped to be the Bond girl in Casino Royale.Due for release at the end of the year the 21st Bond movie will for the first time see Daniel Craig fill the shoes of the world's most famous spy. If newspaper speculation is to be believed actress Thandie Newton could be in line to play his love interest, Vesper Lynd.Thandie went to school in Penzance during the late 1980s and 1990s after her parents Nick and Nyasha moved to the town. Although her father is originally from Penzance, Thandie was born in Zambia, her mother's homeland.The actress now lives in London with her husband and two children but still has family in West Cornwall. During her six-year stay in Penzance, Thandie attended St Mary's RC School where staff are keeping their fingers crossed for her.Helen Giblett, headteacher at St Mary's, said this week: "We are very pleased for Thandie's success."We constantly encourage the children to aim high and when someone achieves their goal they become a role model for the children."According to reports, Thandie has already been screen tested for the part of Vesper Lynd, a Russian double agent and 007's love interest.But she is facing stiff competition from the likes of Rachel Stirling, the daughter of former Bond girl Diana Rigg.No stranger to the silver screen, Thandie has already appeared alongside some of Hollywood's biggest stars including Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Vin Diesel and Brad Pitt in such films as Mission Impossible II, The Chronicles of Riddick and Interview with a Vampire.However, were she to be given the part in Casino Royale her name would rank alongside the Who's Who of actresses to have played the glamorous role.Filming for Casino Royale is currently taking place in the Czech Republic where a spokesperson for producers, Eon, told The Cornishman that "no decision has been made yet on who will play the part".