WCXX

By Caroline Graham

PUBLISHED: 19:15 EST, 1 June 2013 | UPDATED: 19:15 EST, 1 June 2013

Penelope Cruz is set to become the oldest Bond girl ever â€" at the age of 40.

The Spanish actress, who is pregnant with her second child with actor husband Javier Bardem, will start work on the as yet unnamed 24th Bond movie next summer.

She will be 40 next April.

A source close to the production of the £100 million film, likely to be directed by Sam Mendes after his success with Skyfall, said: ‘The producers have tried to get Penelope before, but she has never been available because of other commitments.

‘The discussions have been going on for some time and they are working out the contract details now.’

Cruz will take the title of oldest Bond girl from British actress Honor Blackman, who was 39 when she appeared in 1962’s Goldfinger as Pussy Galore, one of the most memorable Bond girls ever.

Oscar-winner Cruz, who won Best Supporting Actress for her part in the 2008 Woody Allen film Vicky Cristina Barcelona, has spoken of her desire to challenge herself in her career, saying: ‘I like to take roles that stretch and excite me.

‘I do what I enjoy doing and want to continually grow as an actress. I like to do all sorts of work.’

Cruz, who already has a two-year-old son, Leo, is due to give birth any day now.

The source said: ‘She got back into shape fast after the first baby and will no doubt regain her  figure quickly this time.

‘She’ll be a great Bond girl. Bond girls are always brainy as well as sexy, and that’s totally Penelope.’

Cruz and Bardem started dating in 2007 and married in July 2010 in the Bahamas.

They are one of Hollywood’s most low-key couples, shunning the red carpet and preferring to spend most of their time in their native Spain.

Mendes last week said he was in talks to direct the next two Bond movies, which will mark the end of Daniel Craig’s run as 007.

Singer Adele, who won an Oscar for the theme tune to Skyfall, is currently working on her new album.

She has told producers it is ‘too early’ to discuss whether she will be available to perform another Bond song.