Does Cécile De France Have a Date at Casino Royale?
Two weeks ago Dark Horizons reported that Belgium born Cécile de France was among the actresses rumoured to be in consideration for the role of Vesper Lynd in Casino Royale. Now de France’s name is listed below Daniel Craig on IMDb’s Casino Royale webpage.
Could this mean the actress has landed the part?
Cécile de France in 2005
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Of the many names bandied about in the weeks following the announcement of Craig as Bond (Jasmine Lennard, Angelina Jolie, Billie Piper), de France seems one of the more realistic Vesper contenders. Says director Martin Campbell, “First of all, what we’re going to get is a terrific actress. I think that’s really important. She has to look beautiful, she plays a very important role in the piece, and she also spends a lot of time with Bond. So clearly, when we decide who it is, it’s got to be somebody who has all of those attributes.”
One of France’s most promising young actresses, Cécile de France was awarded the coveted Cesar award for her role in Cedric Klapisch’s L’Auberge Espagnole. Born in Belgium, de France’s early interest in theatre led to her theatrical training at L’Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Techniques du Theatre in Paris and Lyon. After graduating in 1998 stage and TV roles were followed by such feature films as L’Art délicat de la seduction, Irène, and the horror thriller, Haute Tension (2003). Around The World in 80 Days with Jackie Chan marked her debut in an English language Hollywood film.
“It’s a terrific part,” says director Campbell. “It’s actually probably the best Bond girl part, if you will.”
In other Casino Royale casting news, IGn Filmforce is reporting the possibility that English actor David Suchet (best known as TV’s Hercule Poirot) may be in the running for the role of the villain Le Chiffre.
Casino Royale will be the 21st James Bond film produced by EON Productions. The MGM/Columbia Pictures production begins shooting in January in the Czech Republic, the Bahamas, Italy and the UK. It will be release worldwide on November 17, 2006.
Update (6 November, 2005)
Cécile De France’s manager has told the Belgian newspaper La dernière heure that while de France did audition for a role in Casino Royale, the actress did not get the part.