Ben Whishaw, who played Q in three James Bond films, has confirmed he will not be returning for the upcoming 26th instalment of the franchise. The actor, 46, said the series needs to be "completely reinvented" after the world has changed significantly since the last Bond film.
Whishaw's Departure and Reinvention Call
Whishaw appeared as Q, head of Q Branch, in Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and No Time to Die (2021), Daniel Craig's final Bond film. Reflecting on the franchise's future in an interview with The Sunday Times, he said: "The world has changed so much since the last Bond film so you have to find what is relevant about it. I think it needs to be reinvented completely. But it's not for me to say."
He added: "I rarely think about Bond. That would be weird." Whishaw also dismissed speculation about who will take over the role of 007 as "deliberate hype", explaining: "People go crazy about it. It's all deliberate hype. When you are working on it, it's incredibly secretive, almost like being a spy. You only get the pages of the script that you are in. It's a ploy to create suspense and glamour, but it's kind of fun."
Next Bond Film in Development
The next Bond film is currently in development, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight announced last year as the scriptwriter. Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce the untitled project, while Dune's Denis Villeneuve will direct.
Speculation over the next 007 has been intense since Daniel Craig departed in 2021. Callum Turner has reportedly resigned from TwentyTwo Films Ltd, the production company he founded with wife Dua Lipa last August, in a potential sign he is clearing his diary for the role. A source told The Sun: "Callum is making all the right moves to become the next James Bond. The role is all-consuming and commitment to it is a top priority of the producers."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the shortlist has been narrowed to four names, including Callum. Jack Lowden, 36, and Josh O'Connor, 36, are believed to be two other contenders, with a fourth actor also said to be taking part in screen tests.
