Pictured is the stunning Italian actress Caterina Murino, who plays James Bond's other girl Solange in the new film Casino Royale.

Italian actress Caterina Murino, who plays the Bond girl in the upcoming 007 movie, has revealed that she almost missed out on her big chance after injuring herself before the audition.

The 32-year-old brunette plays Solange - the wife of bad guy Dimitrios, who is a two-time loser when Bond beats him at poker then beds his girl.

Murino--who is clearly thrilled to be one of Bond's latest conquests - says she never thought she would manage to bag the action role after the serious injury that left her bruised and battered.

"I was preparing for an Italian movie and I fell down. I broke a rib on my right side,” the Sun quoted her as saying.

“I was in hospital, completely under drugs, but I still went to the casting even though I couldn't walk. That was unusual, because the Bond girl is always so full of energy! But Martin Campbell called me back to go to London and I got the role,” she added.

Caterina started her career as a model after finishing fourth in the Miss Italy contest in 1996. She has appeared in commercials for Mastercard, Swatch and Mercedes Benz.

In 1999 she studied acting in Italy and three years later she started to be offered bit parts in film and TV shows. (ANI)