The most recent James Bonds films have had a significantly more serious tone than usual for the spy series. The first casualties of a heavier Bond film were the lighter, side characters that have been a fixture of the franchise for the last half a century. Well the most beloved of these characters has just been granted a reprieve, as Ben Whishaw, who has already been announced as part of the cast, will be playing Q in the new 007 adventure, Skyfall.
BBC reported over the holiday weekend that the character of Q will be returning to the big screen in the next Bond film.
At the age of 31, Whishaw is 12 years younger than Bond actor Daniel Craig, a first for the Q character. Whishaw recently starred in the BBC’s 1950s news drama The Hour.”
“The role of 007’s gadget designer was played by Desmond Llewelyn in From Russia With Love and most recently by John Cleese, opposite Pierce Brosnan, in 2002’s Die Another Day.
“Q is the head of Branch Q, the fictional armoury division of the secret service. He appeared briefly in the first Bond film Dr No in 1962 under his real name Major Boothroyd, played by actor Peter Burton.
His next appearance was in 1963 in From Russia With Love, played by Welsh actor Llewelyn, who played the role in every subsequent Bond film, except Live And Let Die, until his death in 1999.”
It is exciting that the filmmakers are finally broadening their take of the James Bond universe. For a lot of people, Q and his gadgets are as important to Bond as his martini and bow tie. The newest films have been fantastic action films, but their over serious tone dilutes the James Bong feel a little bit. Hopefully the addition of one of the most iconic supporting characters will deliver that extra Bond flavor and take Skyfall to the next level.
