Ben Whishaw says James Bond 'needs to be reinvented completely' as he confirms he won't return as Q
Daniel Craig, who played 007 across the three Bond films in which Ben Whishaw's Q appeared, will not be returning for the franchise reboot now being written by Steven Knight and directed by Denis Villeneuve.Ben Whishaw, 46, dismissed the swirling speculation over the new 007's identity as "all deliberate hype — it's a ploy to create suspense and glamour, but it's kind of fun.
Ben Whishaw, 46, who played MI6 gadget chief Q opposite Daniel Craig across three films, says he is done with the franchise and believes a total overhaul is the only way to keep 007 relevant to modern audiences. He described the casting frenzy around the next Bond as "deliberate hype" and the secretive shoot process as "almost like being a spy." Denis Villeneuve is set to direct the next film, with Jack Lowden, Jacob Elordi and an unnamed third actor reportedly the final three candidates.
Whishaw said Q's sexuality was left "unsatisfying" — briefly referenced in 'No Time to Die' but never explored further.
He insisted he "rarely" thinks about Bond at all, adding: "That would be weird."
Whishaw is preparing to reunite with Keira Knightley for season two of Netflix spy drama 'Black Doves'.
