AceShowbiz -

May have let slip casting information on the new Bond Girl for "Bond 22", Australian actress Rose Byrne has pointed out to MTV News that the role has probably gone to her fellow thesp Abbie Cornish, who also happens to be her real-life friend.

The statement came right from Byrne's mouth during a recent interview with MTV when she was asked whether she had been contacted about the part. Denied any involvement in the project, the beauty surprisingly later exclaimed, "I think Abbie Cornish�s got it."

If it is proven true, Cornish's inclusion in the flick thereby will mark the actress' first major break outside her homeland, where she has established her star status in local television and film features. The former model has long been rumored to be the new Bond girl, having been speculated to already fly to Singapore for a meeting with producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson about the role.

The follow-up to last year's "Casino Royale", "Bond 22" most recently picked up "Stranger Than Fiction" helmer Marc Forster to carry out the directing duties from Neil Purvis and Robert Wade's script that Paul Haggis is assigned to polish. Filming is learned to start December this year at Pinewood Studios, London for a November 7, 2008 worldwide release.