MUMBAI: Producers of the 23rd James Bond adventure Skyfall Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli have confirmed that the character of Q will be making a welcome return to the Bond franchise. The role will be played by Ben Whishaw.
Said the producers, "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."
With his inclusion, Whishaw becomes the fourth actor to play Bond‘s quartermaster affectionately known as Q. The role has been earlier reprised by Peter Burton as Major Boothroyd in Dr. No, followed by Desmond Llewelyn (in 17 Bond films between 1963-1999), and John Cleese (who appeared as Q‘s assistant R in The World is Not Enough. He was later promoted to Q in Die Another Day).
In Skyfall, Bond‘s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
Whishaw will be seen later this year in Cloud Atlas alongside an all-star cast including Tom Hanks, Jim Sturgess and Halle Berry, and in the BBC‘s Richard II. He will also be seen in the second series of The Hour for BBC in which he stars opposite Dominic West and Romola Garai.