One of this Holiday’s biggest movie attractions to come to theaters is the 23rd installment of the James Bond 007 spy series “Skyfall“, and it’s not just Sam Mendes’ peroxide prescription for the film’s “colourless” villain, played by Javier Bardem, that has people citing the latest installment of the series as revolutionary in the history of the franchise, but rather one of the film’s dazzling dangerous leading ladies.

The subject in question is 36 year old English actress, Naomie Harris, who comes to play in the film as Eve Moneypenny, a fellow M16 agent who works closely with Bond. On the surface of it all, she seems to join the ranks of dozens of beautiful actresses who have teamed up alongside 007 in one extraordinary mission after another. The coveted ‘Bond Girl’ title will always look good on a resume.

But, Naomie Harris isn’t just your everyday beautiful actress. Time and time again she has exchanged the female stereotype, and impressed not only with her timeless looks, but more so her undeniable edge. Always willing to stand her grounds, at a casting with Michael Mann she is known for showing who is boss with just a look in her eye.

‘He called me for a meeting in his office and he was sort of embarrassed. He just said, “So how do you feel about this nudity thing?” And I said…’ she drops her voice to a low, menacing tone, ‘“Well, I don’t really want to do it, Michael.”’ She sounds terrifying. ‘And he went, “Yeah. OK.”’ I bet he did.

[Source: The Telegraph]

Naomie has also always made room on her plate for faster, feistier, and darker characters. One of her earlier film roles really stands out as a loud and proud display of this quality she brings to the screen is in Danny Boyle’s art-house zombie flick “28 Days Later“.

As Selena, Naomie tears up the screen with a will for survival matched only by her true grit in getting through post-apocalyptic England with her body and soul intact. This was one of the first, but certainly not the last strong atypical female characters she would conquer on her quest.

“She Will Cut You! “

Indeed, she also made an impression as Tia Dalma, Goddess of Calypso in the “Pirates of the Carribean” franchise. She is almost indistinguishable as herself in the film’s fierce makeup, and once again brings her magic to the screen.

Both elusive and dangerous, Harris brings the seductive powers needed to play the ocean goddess and matches it with her viscious voodoo edge. Not your everyday siren of the sea . . .

Throughout her career, Naomie has displayed her will to be something more than your everyday goddess of the screen. From “Pirates of the Carribean”, to “28 Days Later”, Naomie has shown off her ability to play the strong woman, and in “Skyfall“, this inherent quality comes to a head in a move that is completely revolutionary to the history of the franchise.

For the first time in 50 years, 007 is accompanied by not a Bond Girl, but a ‘Bond Woman’.

It’s official. Publicity materials refer to Harris as the ‘Bond Woman’, which is in itself pretty bad ass, indeed. The franchise’s long time producer, Barbara Broccoli, supports the changes:

“‘It’s outdated,’ she says. It’s been a long time since Bond girls wiggled around in barely there outfits sighing, ‘Oh, James!’ every five minutes. And Eve is another significant evolution away from that. She’s a field agent taking the same risks and making the same sacrifices as 007.”

{Source: The Telegraph}

Naomie had hinted at the change at a BAFTA Awards ceremony where she commented on a statement of her as the newest ‘Bond Girl’ , stating “Well, I’m going to change that to Bond woman.”’

Seems like Naomie Harris gets it done. Whether it’s fighting pirates, zombies, or giving 007 a much needed hand, Naomie Harris embraces the evolution of popular culture, and where she fits in as a strong, intelligent, bad ass woman. (read more here)

So always remember to bring that edge!

+ Check out more on the film’s official website! +

Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,

{theEye}

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