Gemma Arterton wants to work on an opera.

The 29-year-old actress adores the ''drama'' of the passionate musical productions and would love to show off her vocal skills in a challenging role.

Asked what she would do if she wasn't an actor, she said: ''A theatre director. Or I'd love to do opera. I'm classically trained, I really love singing and I love the drama of opera.''

Gemma - who is dating director Franklin Ohanessian - can next be seen in French movie 'Gemma Bovery', and with two other movies based in France in the pipeline, she finds making films there much more comfortable than her native UK or Hollywood as there are less industry-based restrictions and considerations in place.

She explained: ''Something about filmmaking in France feels very unrestricted to me, which you don't necessarily have at home, or more so in the US because it's all wrapped up in money and release dates and executives. In France, those considerations rarely come into play.''

The 'Quantum of Solace' star admires French actress Juliette Binoche and aspires to be just like her.

Discussing her dream co-stars, she told Britain's HELLO! magazine: ''Sean Penn. That would really be something. And Juliette Binoche, because she seems quite down to earth and she's got this timeless, ageless beauty and she's talented and elegant - all the things that I want to be.''