The latest James Bond movie No Time To Die is out today and introduces Ana de Armas’ character, Paloma. The young CIA agent is new to the game and is a “little nervous” about teaming up with 007 – but things ultimately work out very well for the espionage newcomer. In a recent interview, she confessed: “Paloma is a really complete character. She’s definitely something else that I don’t think we’ve seen in other Bond girls in previous movies. She’s a lot of fun – very active, very bad**s.” (Via The Sun)

Armas already made her mark in Hollywood just a few years ago, however, in 2017.

The Cuban actress played the artificially intelligent hologram Joi in Denis Villeneuve’s science-fiction hit Blade Runner 2049.

Two years later, in 2019, Armas teamed up with Star Wars director Rian Johnson to play Marta Cabrera in Knives Out.

This was where Armas first met current and former James Bond star Daniel Craig.

READ MORE: James Bond: Sean Connery’s blunt reaction to Daniel Craig casting

After working closely with Craig on the whodunit movie, No Time To Die director Cary Joji Fukunaga suggested that the 33-year-old was brought on to the spy movie.

She recalled: “When [Fukunaga] brought up the idea to Barbara [Broccoli] and Daniel, Daniel was completely on board and supportive of it, which made me very happy.

“Having met Daniel before and getting along so well on the set of Knives Out, there was nothing awkward when I got to the Bond set. There was no ice to be broken. It was just easy and smooth.”

The star has recently spoken out about working with Craig again on the No Time To Die set.

Armas revealed: “To have Daniel next to me after Knives Out was a great support.

“It was also very funny because I remember on Knives Out, he would make comments about already training for Bond way back then. At that time, I had no idea of course I would end up filming with him on the very same project.

“It was crazy looking back. It was just really nice to film with him again and to have that [existing] chemistry and relationship really helped the dynamic between the two characters. He’s an incredible actor, humorous and so professional too.”

Although Paloma makes a deep impact on the No Time To Die narrative, it seems unlikely the character will return considering the franchise will be rebooted after Craig’s exit.

Going forward, Armas is taking on the guise of one of the biggest classic Hollywood stars of all time.

Armas will be playing Marilyn Monroe in a biopic titled Blonde.

The movie is due out in 2022 and is being directed by Andrew Dominik, who is best known for writing and directing The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Speaking about taking on the epic role of the legendary model and actress, Armas confessed she was wrought with emotion when her transformation was finalised.

She said: “I cried. It was a big, big deal for me. It was a very important role for me, a big challenge, something that I was preparing for a very long time.

“And to finally sit in the chair and put the wig and makeup on… it was very special. I completely transformed.”

Armas added: “One of the most beautiful things about my job, I think, is to see yourself become someone else.” (Via Allure)

After that, Armas has teased that she might be making a return in the Knives Out sequel with Craig, Knives Out 2.

When asked directly about it, she said: “I hope this is one of those surprises that 2021 will bring for me, a phone call from [director] Rian.” (Via Flaunt)

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