(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Naomie Harris is reportedly in "final negotiations" to play Miss Moneypenny in the new James Bond movie.

The British actress recently confirmed rumours she could appear alongside current 007 Daniel Craig in Bond 23, after revealing she has met with director Sam Mendes. It has now been claimed that rather than playing a sexy Bond girl, Naomie is being lined up to play Miss Moneypenny the assistant to Bond's boss M.

"The actress is now in the final stages of negotiations to play the long-running Bond girl although, strictly speaking, Moneypenny isn't a Bond girl at all," reports British newspaper Daily Mail.

The character hasn't appeared in a James Bond film since Die Another Day in 2002, when she was played by Samantha Bond.

It is not yet known if the latest reincarnation of Miss Moneypenny will be as dry-witted and flirtatious as she has been in the past, but Naomie has hinted she is looking forward to playing an intellectual and witty character.

"I don't know whether it's true or not that I'm going to be an intelligent Bond girl. I don't know at all but I'd like it!" Naomie, 34, added. "My audition was really great actually because it's so top secret, the whole Bond thing. I auditioned with a scene from Quantum of Solace. You don't know what role you're going up for either, so everybody gets given a scene from a previous Bond movie."

The 34-year-old British actress whose previous movie credits include Pirates of the Caribbean and 28 Days Later has not yet been confirmed for the movie, insist producers.

Bond 23 is scheduled to begin production later this year and is slated for an October 2012 release. (C) Cover Media