Thandie Newton has been chosen for the role of the next Bond girl, The Sun newspaper has reported.

According to the British tabloid, the Zambian actress has been offered a lucrative deal to star alongside new Bond Daniel Craig in the remake of the 1967 film Casino Royale.

The 33-year-old would follow in the footsteps of legendary Bond girls such as Halle Berry, Teri Hatcher, Britt Ekland and Ursula Andress.

Newton has been nominated for a Bafta for her role as Christine in the race-relations drama Crash.

She has also appeared in ER as well as starring in films such as Mission Impossible II and Shade.

Angelina Jolie, Kimberley Davies, Scarlett Johansson and Charlize Theron have already rejected offers to appear in Casino Royale.

The film is expected to open in US cinemas on November 17, 2006.