Tall, slender and ridiculously beautiful, Olga Kurylenko gives the appearance of a fragile gazelle. In reality, she is one tough cookie. She has survived her fair share of scrapes, bumps and bruises for high octane stunts in the new James Bond movie Quantum of Solace – and she is still in perfect shape.
Leggy and seductive Olga is the latest in a long line of 007 leading ladies – 83rd to be exact. With her stunning looks, long legs and sassy attitude, the model turned actress has certainly got what it takes to fill the Bond girl mould, and more.
Rumoured to be dating her 007 director Marc Forster, Olga plays Camille – a feisty femme fatale who is set on revenge after her family are killed.
Ukrainian beauty Olga, 28, says hooking up with the world's favourite International man of mystery was a dream come true.
Here she talks about life as a Bond girl, the hard-line she takes with men, and why she's so good at handling guns.
Excerpts from an interview
How are you finding the experience of being the new Bond girl?
It's wonderful, one of the best experiences so far.
You have said before that when you did your first audition you didn't think you would get the part. . .
I thought the director, Marc Forster, didn't like me. I thought there was no way I was getting the part. I did the audition once and there was some noise in the background and Marc said, ‘Oh wait, I couldn't hear, let's do it again.' So I did it again and he said quietly, ‘Okay, thank you very much.' And then it was, ‘Okay, bye-bye.' And then when I was walking out, he said, ‘How tall are you?' And I was thinking to myself, ‘Why would you care how tall I am? You're not taking me anyway!' So I told him and I just left.
And then I was so sad and I was like, ‘That's it, that's it.' I called my agent and I said, ‘Forget about it.' And he said, ‘No, no, they just called me, they want you for the last audition with Daniel Craig.''
And the second audition went well with Daniel?
“Yes. But I didn't really know what to think then either because I did it twice because you do a few takes and then he came up to me and he said, ‘Well, you know, I don't know what else to do.' And that got me worried too.
Later one of the technicians said, ‘Oh, you're the only one he did only two takes with. He did more with other girls.' And I thought it was a bad sign.
Later he told me it's because I did it exactly how he needed it right away.''
You nailed it . . .
Yeah, and I thought, ‘Oh my god, he doesn't want to see more. I'm done so fast.' So basically I always got it wrong.
Where were you when you found out you had the part?
It was Christmas Eve and I was in Paris having dinner with my friends and it was like 11 at night and my agent called me and he told me on the phone. I squealed and said ‘Ohhhhh! Are you sure? It's not a joke? Because you're always playing jokes on me.' But it was true. It was the perfect Christmas present.''
How would you describe your character Camille?
She's a strong woman and very physical – she's in good shape, let's put it that way. She knows how to fight, how to defend herself and she goes for her goals. She's very determined, she has things to do, and she has revenge to take.''
Why is she such a good fighter?
Ah, well that you're going to discover in the movie. But she definitely has all those skills. And she knows how to use a gun.
What skills did you have to learn?
It's really cool because what's so interesting – where else would I have ever touched a gun? I don't ever want to have to deal with it in real life but it's just so fun to see it for real and just to know how to take it apart.
How did you find working with Daniel Craig?
Daniel was amazing. He's such a nice guy. He's a sweet person and very funny. He's like relaxed and he works really hard. I have a lot to learn from him, just how he manages everything and he always does his work perfectly. Every day, he went to the gym and worked with the stunt guys, because he has to keep training because through the whole film he fights. He was so great. He is a real gentleman.
What's your relationship in the film? Do you develop a romantic relationship, or are you adversaries?
Kind of both. It's very interesting.
So you do have a romantic relationship.
Well…you'll find out. But we kind of cross each other and sometimes it's with a love-bash. We're kind of feisty because you're not necessarily friends in the beginning but, you know. They're just suspicious of each other in the beginning and then they get to know each other. They're more comfortable with each other in the end.
Did you have any love scenes with Daniel?
There are quieter scenes, of course.
Did you have input into Camille's look?
The hair is quite natural – there wasn't any hairdo because we decided Camille is not that type of girl. She's more of a fighter. She's not the very glamorous girl that goes to parties and tries to pick up guys. She's on her mission, she wants revenge, she's taught how to fight and she's tried to get the bad guys that she's angry with. That's all she cares about. She's not afraid to get bruised or get cut or get hurt. She's after a certain person.
Is she an agent? Daniel said so.
Well, that's… you're very sneaky!
You used to be a model?
I did mostly pictures. I started doing catwalk but then very quickly I started doing a lot of photos and I kind of prefer it.
Who's your favourite Bond?
Daniel of course. I think because now it's the modern times and the character's evolved with the times and I think his character is more real.
Before when I watch the old movies, they were like hitting each other I didn't believe it. The technique now is so incredible. When you look at old movies they look old. Also looking at Daniel you really believe he can really break someone's neck. He's like a strong, tough guy but less like delicate and he's more raw.
Have Bond girls evolved?
Yeah, they have, especially with the last one. We felt it because suddenly the girl was smart and very classy, a very interesting woman so it wasn't just there to look pretty. So I think they're evolving. I think the girls now have much more personality and character. I think people have had enough watching just the silly ones.''
Have you felt inspired by other Bond girls? Are you going to be the toughest Bond girl yet?
One of them because there were like some tough girls, right? Like Michelle Yeoh. I'm inspired by her because, to me, I think my character is quite as feisty as hers. She's just a gymnast – it's beautiful. Of course I'm inspired because I'd better do it that good! I'm not trying to beat someone, it's just that it inspires me.
How has being a Bond girl changed your life?
It hasn't changed it that much yet because the movie hasn't come out.
People don't know who I am, so that's good.''
There is a real Russian power in the land of celebrity at the moment with tennis players, models and actresses. Does it make you feel more conscious of your roots?
I don't feel any pressure. It never occurred to me. But after I was announced as a Bond girl in January, I realised how big it is because suddenly Russia and Ukraine, were so happy, very proud. Before they didn't know me -because I don't live there any more. And suddenly they found out and they're like, ‘Oh, this is our girl!' It was weird. But I'm glad they're happy.''
Do you believe all the Curse of Bond stories in the papers?
We knew it was happening but I think the press always blows it up. They have to make it bigger and scarier than it is. All those things, I think, are ridiculous. I don't believe in it. As an action movie, you know little accidents will happen, you know you're gonna get hurt and scratched and that. You're ready – as long as it's not major drama and nobody dies, then it's okay.''
