Virtually unknown British actress Gemma Arterton has been cast as the new Bond girl for the latest installment of the James Bond franchise, currently filming in London for Columbia Pictures and MGM, the film’s production companies said.

Arterton will play “Fields” in the Marc Forster-directed movie, which has the working title of “Bond 22″ and again features Daniel Craig as Agent 007.

Arterton’s casting has been rumored since mid-December, but has remained unconfirmed by the producers until now. On Friday, Eon Prods. in London and Santa Monica-based Danjaq Prods., as well as Arterton’s agent, ICM in London, confirmed the casting. Details of her character were not available, but a Danjaq rep said “it’s a nice-sized role.”

The film will pick up where 2006’s “Casino Royale” left off and is scheduled to be released on November 2008.

Arterton’s credits include the recently released comedy “St. Trinian’s”, a movie, about the madcap adventures of a group of unruly girls at a boarding school.

Source