BEIJING, Feb. 21 -- Makers of the upcoming James Bond movie ¡°Casino Royale¡± have cast little-known French actress Eva Green as the next femme fatale to pair up with Agent 007, distributor Columbia Pictures said.

    Green, 25, who made her 2003 film debut in ¡°The Dreamers,¡± will play the enticing Vesper Lynd opposite actor Daniel Craig in his first performance as Bond.

    In landing the coveted role of the next Bond girl, the French actress edged out a list of contenders reported in the Hollywood trade press to have included Oscar winner Charlize Theron, as well as Thandie Newton, Olivia Wilde and Kimberly Davies.

    The Sony-owned studio also announced that Danish-born actor Mads Mikkelsen had signed on to play Bond's villainous nemesis Le Chiffre. American actor Jeffrey Wright, who costarred in ¡°Syriana,¡± has joined the ¡°Casino Royale¡± cast as undercover CIA agent Felix Leiter.

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)