Monica Bellucci says becoming the oldest Bond girl to date in Spectre is "a victory for women everywhere".
The 50-year-old Italian revealed that she had expected to be cast in a "Judi Dench-type role", and was surprised when told she'd be a love interest of Daniel Craig's James Bond.
Bellucci told the Daily Express: "I really thought when Sam Mendes, the director, asked to meet me that I would be playing a Judi Dench-type role who was there to keep Bond in check.
"When he explained, 'No I want you to be a Bond girl, you are going to be somebody that Bond is attracted to', I couldn't believe it."
The actress added: "Me doing this really is a victory for women everywhere.
"I am 50, and I think the oldest Bond girl before me was 39, so I'm breaking that by 11 years. That for me is a sign of the world we now live in."
Everything you need to know about Spectre including spoilers, trailers and latest rumours
It was recently announced that Sam Smith is singing the theme tune for Spectre. The artist recorded it way back in January.
Spectre is released in the UK on October 26, and opens in the US on November 6. Watch a teaser below:
