'Skyfall': Ben Whishaw as James Bond gadget master Q - first picture
Published Jul 12 2012, 16:27 BST | By Simon Reynolds
The first picture of Ben Whishaw as Q has been released online.The Hour star takes over the role of James Bond's legendary gadget master in the 23rd James Bond outing Skyfall, which debuts in UK cinemas on October 26 and the US on November 9.
The photo sees Whishaw's MI6 officer opening a case with Daniel Craig's secret agent stood behind him.
Producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said: "It's a real thrill to confirm the return of Q in Skyfall played by the enormously talented, Ben Whishaw. We are delighted to have this beloved character back in the series."
Whishaw previously worked with Craig on the 2004 film Layer Cake. Casino Royale director Martin Campbell revealed earlier this week that Craig was cast as 007 thanks to his turn in the crime drama.
> James Bond: 5 of Q's best gadgets
The British actor is the fourth star to take on the part of Q following Peter Burton as Major Boothroyd in Dr No, Desmond Llewelyn (in 17 Bond films between 1963-1999) and John Cleese in Die Another Day. The character has been absent from the last two James Bond movies Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace.
Watch the teaser trailer for Skyfall below:
And to think I first saw him in Nathan Barley!
July 13th 2012 at 3:59pm
He looks like a total nerd. In other words, perfect.
July 13th 2012 at 1:04pm(+2 likes)
no no no no!!!!
cubby brocolli would be turning in his grave at the abomination that is now the official james bond film franchise
the last decent bond film was licence to kill
since then, you had
goldeneye - potential but pporly executed and awful music socre
tomorrow never dies - boring, poor score again
the world is not enough - boring, poor score again
die another day - invisible car - please, give me a break
none of the above 'felt' like bond movies when you watched them - it did not matter who was bond prior to this, the movies all had a style, smart direction, fab sets, each movie also had it's own brand identity which was always identified by the muscial score - and even now you and remember the theme (not just the title song) and score to each one - and every score again 'felt' like a bond score - with the score in the film normally an extension to / or related to the opening song
not anymore
then you have the reboot from casino royale - sorry but trying to be bourne was a huge, huge mistake, as was trying to bee too realistic and emotional - all they had to do was use the same formula they always had, but not make the same poor mistakes with script, music and directors as they had during the brosnan era
as for our beloved 'q' - it needs to be an older, more eccenteric type - certainly someone experienced - stephen fry, rowan atkinson or hugh laurie for me - does this guy even shave!
well, the film couldn't be any worse than the dreadful quantum, could it????
these are not 'bond' films - they are just big budget spy films whose main character is called james bond - and there is a huge, huge difference
clueless, utterly clueless
July 13th 2012 at 11:50am
Have you read the books?
July 13th 2012 at 12:52pm
This guy is in his 30's ffs and you've not seen how he plays Q.
Stop whining like a child and wait and see.
July 13th 2012 at 3:54pm(+1 like)
Stop getting (your thoughts on) bond wrong!
July 13th 2012 at 3:57pm(+1 like)
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Mine differs greatly from yours though - but each to their own. I personally dislike the Dalton movies. Nothing against him personally, but I just can't get through them. The Brosnan era was highly enjoyable but it did start to become more fantasy than reality (really liked TND). Casion Royale was such a bold move and executed brilliantly and remains in my top three favourite Bond stories (along with TND and Goldfinger). Quantum, in my opinion, was a mess but from what I've seen of Skyfall so far, it looks to be excellent. As for the casting of Q, I will reserve judgement until I've seen the film. It stands to reason that the tech genius would be a young nerdy type. Desmond was superb and will be sadly missed, but there is nothing wrong with having a complete change of character. I get irritated by people who don't like change. Give the guy a chance. I doubt they would have cast such an iconic character wrongly. I put my faith in the producers. Here endeth my speech!
July 13th 2012 at 7:20pm
I remember him in the film Perfume and he was actually quite good; he really needs to put on weight though, doesn't he realise how frail he appears in comparison to buff Daniel Craig?
July 13th 2012 at 4:13am
He looks like Moss from the IT Crowd.
July 13th 2012 at 4:08am