Bond Woman: Monica Bellucci, 50, Pegged as Oldest 007 Love Interest Ever

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Stars of "Spectre," the next James Bond film, at this morning's press conference in England. Left to right: Naomie Harris, Lea Seydoux, Daniel Craig, Monica Bellucci, and Christoph Waltz.

As a general rule, there are two places in Hollywood you’re unlikely to find a man locking lips with a woman who boasts even a hint of grey hair – George Clooney’s bedroom and a James Bond film.

And while time should eventually prove the former wrong – assuming the recently hitched Clooney and wife, Amal Alamuddin, 36, go the distance (Hollywood nuptials tend to last, right?) – Mr. Bond’s streak could be shattered next summer.

Until today, the oldest “Bond girl” in the history of the famed spy franchise was Honor Blackman who, at age 39, played Pussy Galore in 1964’s Goldfinger. Last year, Penelope Cruz was rumoured to take the mantle, as she would have been 41 when filming the next installment, set for 2015.

Cruz’s name, however, was left off the list at today’s early morning press conference to announce details for the upcoming Bond film, Spectre. Instead, it was Italian actress Monica Bellucci – a full decade older than Cruz – announced alongside two-time Oscar winner Christoph Waltz (who many fans assume will be playing Bond’s nemesis), French actress and star of Blue Is the Warmest Color Lea Seydoux, pro wrestler-turned actor Dave Bautista (who starred in this summer’s hit Guardians of the Galaxy) and Sherlock’s Andrew Scott. Those returning for the 24th Bond film include Ben Whishaw as Q, Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny, Ralph Fiennes as M, and Daniel Craig as the super spy himself. Sam Mendes, who directed the 2012 Bond film Skyfall (the highest grossing film in the franchise), once again takes the helm, while a brand new DB10 Aston Martin will provide Bond’s new ride.

Though Bellucci, whose character’s name is Lucia Sciarra, isn’t technically sporting any grey, the idea of a 50-year-old Bond love interest is unheard of when it comes to a franchise famous for hook-ups with much younger women whose interests often include double entendre and sauntering out of the ocean dripping wet in a tight bikini.

The name of the film, Spectre, is a nod to the evil crime syndicate of the same name that debuted in the 1962 Bond film Dr. No. In that film, Ursula Andress, 26, starred as Honey Rider opposite a 32-year-old Sean Connery as Bond. In Spectre, Bellucci is four years older than Craig, 46, while Seydoux, also a possible love interest for Bond, is 29 – 17 years younger.

Spectre hits theatres in autumn 2015.