Analiza Ching

I play a very ambitious Bondgirl in Skyfall: Naomie Harris


Published: Tuesday, Mar 27, 2012, 12:51 IST





Naomie Harris


Bondgirls are known for their beauty and glamour but actress Naomie Harris, who plays field agent Eve in 23rd 007 movie Skyfall opposite Daniel Craig, promises to bring "brains and ambition" too to the role.



"It is one dimensional when Bondgirls are just glamorous and beautiful. As Bond becomes more human, women in his life have to evolve to match this change.



"They need to have more potential for a man like James Bond to fall in love with them. He will not be attracted to a woman who is merely beautiful. They have to be equal to Bond," Harris told PTI in a telephonic interview from Los Angeles.



In the past few Bond films actresses like Halle Berry, Eva Green, Olga Kurylenko and Gemma Arterton have brought more edge to the character and Harris is happy to be part of this growing tradition.



"I love playing strong, independent women onscreen and that's what drew me to the character of field agent Eve. She is very capable, intelligent and ambitious. She wants to be seen as the new Bond and that's what she is aiming for and I love that ambition in her," says Harris.



Skyfall, which was delayed for almost two years after MGM faced financial trouble, will be released by Sony Pictures Entertainment in India on November 2 this year. It is currently being filmed in different parts of the world.



Craig and Judi Dench are returning as Bond and M while Oscar-winner Javier Bardem plays the main antagonist. Harris and French actress Berenice Marlohe help Bond in his mission to unravel another mystery in the Sam Mendes directed film.



35-year-old Harris, best known for her roles in Miami Vice, 28 Days Later and Pirates of the Caribbean series, says it was difficult not to get star-struck while working with the famous actors.



"It was very intimidating during the first few days. Daniel, Judi Dench, Sam Mendes and Javier Bardem they all are the actors that I admire. They are top of their game. I had to pinch myself to remain true to my role. I was totally star-struck," says Harris.



The actress believes that director Mendes, known for his films like American Beauty and Revolutionary Road, would add a lot of humour and layers to the story.



"Sam (Mendes) wants to add much more humour to the movie. He is fundamentally known for his relationship stories and that will reflect in this film too. He wants the audience to engage and relate with Bond more. It is going to be fantastic Bond movie. The stakes are bigger and better this time."



The actress, who grew up watching Bond films, says she never imagined that she would be a part of the secret world of the spy series.



"I have been a huge fan of Bond movies. I don't know anyone who isn't. They are full of glamour, action and humour. It was part of my growing up years. I am working with some of the greatest actors of my time. I love the idea of entering the secret world of MI6," she says.



It was not a cakewalk for Harris to fit in the character as she trained hard for close to two months before filming. Harris says it was her most demanding role physically.



"I started training from October. I am off to Turkey now for more training. I learnt to fire machine gun for Miami Vice but most of the action that I did in the past was to get in shape. In this film I will be doing most of the stunts that I learnt during my training. I have never trained this hard for any movie."



Harris is hugely impressed with the dedication of her famous co-star Craig.



"He is fantastic, has great sense of humour but he is very serious at the same time. He trains for two hours after the shoot. He is very dedicated but also knows how to laugh at himself."