An interesting choice for the role of Bond Girl Number 1, Sophia Marceau is not yet a household name despite her career defining role as the love interest in Mel Gibson's Braveheart, however, her sultry looks and perfect complexion will ensure she goes down as one of the more desirable Bond Girls. Elektra King, daughter of the late Sir Robert King, who was killed in the MI6 explosion in the pre-titles sequence, is continuing her father's work, which is constructing an oil pipeline from the Caspian Sea, through Baku (a very important city for oil) and on into Europe. The pipeline, which is tapping into one of the least exploited oil reserves in the world, is due to be completed on schedule. However, Elektra is being targeted by Renard, and Bond must protect her from assassination attempts whilst she visits some of the pipeline construction sites.
Apparently, she is knowledgeable about Turkish customs, can speak several languages fluently, and (perhaps most importantly) an excellent skier.
Elektra is a very intelligent girl, proven by her spearheading the Baku Oil Pipeline project. Other good news is that she's probably not interested in Kick-Boxing, which means that another Wai-Lin type character is highly unlikely.
Bond first meets Elektra in one of Valentin Zukovsky's casinos, and then shares a passionate night with her back at her villa.

Experience
Tammy and the T-Rex, Starship Troopers, Wild Things.

My first reaction on hearing that Denise Richards had been cast in the role of Christmas Jones was not a good one. Initially, people thought that she was too young to convincingly play a Bond girl, but remember there have actually been younger girls than her (Jane Seymour in Live And Let Die, for example). Because such a sought after actress is playing this role, it'll do wonders for the film's Box Office, especially with the teen audience. Denise Richards, who is among the most sought after American actresses, is arguably too young to play a Doctor of atomic physics, and credibility may be strained somewhat.
Richards said of the movie: "It's overwhelming. It's a huge movie, My first day I was terrified....I'm wearing shorts and a tank top while everyone else is running around in real clothes."
Dr Christmas Jones is a member of the International Decommissioning Agency, and has been chosen to oversee the shutting down of a nuclear test site in Chechnya. However, villain Renard attempts to steal some nuclear warheads from the loosely guarded facility which causes an international incident (which brings her into contact with James Bond).
Christmas Jones has a peace tattoo just above her hip, and manages to catch soldiers off their guard whilst working in the facility. Expect one of the sexiest Bond Girls, especially in the light of this month's Details Magazine cover (left).