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Ben Whishaw, who played Q, says the James Bond franchise 'needs to be reinvented completely' and confirms he won't return

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.
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, has said his nine years playing Q felt incomplete because his character's homosexuality was raised only briefly in 'No Time to Die' and then never developed. The actor, who came out as gay in 2013, called the handling of Q's sexuality 'unsatisfying' and said the franchise must now find fresh relevance after five years without a film.

Amazon MGM Studios took full control of the Bond franchise last year, with Denis Villeneuve directing and 'Peaky Blinders' creator Steven Knight writing the script.

Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O'Connor are among the stars reportedly in contention to replace Daniel Craig as 007, with auditions believed to have reached their final stages.

'People go crazy about it — it's all deliberate hype,' Whishaw said of the casting frenzy, adding the secrecy around Bond is 'kind of fun'.

MoreDaily MailBond star Ben Whishaw confirms he won't return for franchise reboot as he reveals his regrets over 'unsatisfying' portrayal of his character Q's sexuality - Daily MailThe IndependentQ actor Ben Whishaw says James Bond franchise ‘needs to be reinvented completely'Evening StandardJames Bond actor Ben Whishaw says franchise ‘needs to be reinvented’The TimesBen Whishaw: The spy in my family — and why Bond needs to be reinvented
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