It's normally wise not to trust rumors when it comes to the casting of "the new Bond girl," especially when it comes from a British tabloid like the News of the World, but it looks like actress Naomie Harris, who first wowed audiences in Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later before joining the "Pirates of the Caribbean," is being considered to star in Sam Mendes' as yet untitled Bond 23.

Harris will play Daniel Craig's "sexy sidekick" according to the story and other than the returning Dame Judi Dench as M, she would be the first female casting for the movie, which is set to start filming in September for a November 9, 2012 release.

With so many actresses' names being bandied about whenever there's a new Bond film, we would be dubious if not for other news outlets like EW and Indiewire confirming through their own sources.

Anyway, Harris is "in talks" as they say yet there's still no confirmation on whether either Ralph Fiennes or Javier Bardem, who have both been mentioned as possible villains, will be coming on board. Since filming doesn't begin for three months, we probably can expect a lot more names thrown around, but Harris would certainly be an interesting way to go.

(Photo Credit: WENN.com)