Fans became accustomed to Q being much older than 007 in the James Bond films, that is, until Skyfall came around and flipped the script. After Peter Burton, Desmond Llewelyn, and John Cleese, it was time for Ben Whishaw to take over the mantle of the brilliant quartermaster.
For decades, the franchise operated on an unspoken rulebook. While James Bond was suave and emotionally guarded, authority figures were older and wiser. Then Skyfall happened, and one casting decision shattered a years-long tradition.
TitleSkyfallDirectorSam MendesBox Office$1,110,526,981Rotten Tomatoes92%IMDb7.8/10Release Date9 November 2012
Whishaw did not just modernize the character; he upended the power dynamic in the espionage thrillers, becoming the first Q to be younger than Bond, thus eliminating the “father figure” trope and creating genuine tech rivals for our favorite spy.
Now, with Denis Villeneuve all set to direct the upcoming Bond film, it remains to be seen if he follows the footsteps of Daniel Craig‘s run, or goes back to the basics.
Never one to choose comfort over experimentation, Villeneuve is the perfect director to carry Whishaw’s legacy forward. His casting wasn’t sacrilegious because it disrespected the well-established Bond lore, but because it dared to evolve it. And who can dare better than Villeneuve?
How Ben Whishaw Got Cast as Q in Skyfall
Whishaw was in his early thirties when he got cast as Q in Craig’s Bond films. Fun fact? He never had to audition for the part. Talking to The JBIFC, the actor stated that director Sam Mendes simply “offered” him the role “out of the blue.”
Speaking of Mendes’ vision for the new and improved character, Whishaw recalled, “He said this Q was going to be a computer genius. It makes sense for the story because the ‘enemy’ operates in cyberspace. There’s a new world order.’“
In order to be true to his version, Whishaw didn’t watch Q’s scenes in the Bond films that came before. He said that this felt like an opportunity for a “fresh start.“
It was the same for Sam; Bond’s been going for 50 years so there’s a formula and template. You have to deliver certain things with a Bond film, but you want to innovate and surprise people too.
And that’s exactly what Mendes did. While some would argue that there weren’t many gadgets in the film despite Q being a tech genius, Whishaw stated that his mind was supposed to be the biggest weapon.
He’s still an eccentric, jovial English chap but, because of the genius he has, there’s a lethal, powerful side to him. It’s just him and his computer. His mind is his weapon.
As for reprising the role in the future, Whishaw expressed his interest while also admitting that it may not be possible for obvious reasons. He told the BBC‘s Laura Kuenssberg, “I don’t think I’m going to be in the next one. I think they’re going to start all over again, and with a new cast, a completely new cast. I think that’s my hunch, but I don’t know. I have no idea…But if they asked me, I would do it, of course.“
Who do you think should be the next Q? Should he be older or younger than Bond?
What Denis Villeneuve Has Planned for James Bond 26
Denis Villeneuve | Credits: Gage Skidmore, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Denis Villeneuve has been a fan of the James Bond franchise for a long, long time. Which is why it’s no surprise that the man is finally going to be helming a chapter in the 007 story.
After years of trying, Villeneuve finally has the project in his hands, and it makes us wonder what he will do with it. Back in 2015, the Dune director told ComingSoon.net that he is a huge fan of action and that when done right, action can be extremely poetic.
He said,
I was raised with James Bond. I love James Bond movies. I would love to do a James Bond movie one day. Action is very cinematic. I’m not someone that loves dialogue – I am someone that loves movement. Action, if it’s well done, can be very poetic and meaningful.
Clearly, fans should expect a ton of jaw-dropping action coming their way now that Villeneuve is behind the camera. During his appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the filmmaker stated that he intends to “honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come.” We trust in Villeneuve.
Are you excited to see what Villeneuve cooks up in the coming days? Let us know in the comments section below!
Stream Skyfall on Netflix.
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