James Bond Spectre: Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci to play leading ladies

Dave M. Benett/WireImage Monica Bellucci, Lea Seydoux and Naomie Harris to star in new Bond film 'Spectre' Monica, Lea and Naomie Sam Mendes has revealed the cast of the new James Bond film, which sees Daniel Craig reprise his role as 007. Speaking at a press conference held at Pinewood Studios earlier today, the director announced the title Spectre - Special Executor for Counter-Intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion - and who will be making a return to the film and who fans of the franchise will be seeing for the very first time. Lea Seydoux The French actress, who earned critical acclaim for Blue is the Warmest Colour last year, won over director Sam Mendes and producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who were originally planning to cast a Scandinavian star in the film but changed their minds in favour of the Parisian beauty. She started off her career in French cinema, appearing in films such as The Last Mistress and On War, before going on to star in major Hollywood blockbusters, including Inglorious Basterds, Robin Hood and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. When not starring on the big screen, she can be seen in the ads for Prada fragrance Candy. Lea, 29, will play Madeleine Swann. Monica Bellucci The Italian actress and model, 50, screen tested for 1997 Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, but lost out to Terri Hatcher. Almost 20 years later, she will take on the role of Lucia Sciarra. Monica, who has two children with French actor Vincent Cassel, has starred in countless films, including The Brothers Grimm, Malena, Brotherhood of the Wolf and The Passion of the Christ. Naomie Harris The British actress, who starred alongside Craig in SkyFall, will return as Eve Moneypenny. Speaking about her role, she said: "The producers and Sam [Mendes] said they wanted to make a real distinction between this Bond Girl… Woman, and the ones of the past. "One of the things Sam said was, 'I want you to represent the modern woman. I want women to be able to feel that they respect you, admire you and that you’re just as capable as Bond."

Elsewhere, Sherlock's Andrew Scott, Guardians of Galaxy star Dave Bautista and Christoph Waltz will all join the cast. Andrew Scott will play a Whitehall-based character (who turns to the dark side?) while Bautista will play henchman Mr Hinx. Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw and Rory Kinnear will also all reprise their roles. The official plot summary reads: "A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organisation. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE." The film is due to hit cinemas on November 6, 2015.