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FIRST LOOK

First Look: Ben Whishaw as the Young, New Q in 'Skyfall' Revealed

by Alex Billington
July 12, 2012
Source: 007.com

One of my personal all-time favorite characters is Q, from the Bond series, originally played by Desmond Llewelyn in 17 of the original Bond films. Llewelyn sadly passed away in 1999, and while they've toyed with the character, ever since the Daniel Craig Bonds have started, they've kept Q entirely out of the equation. But then they announced Ben Whishaw would be playing Q in Sam Mendes' Skyfall. How would he look? Would he be extremely young, or just a smart scientist? Would he better than John Cleese (ugh)? Well, now we know, the first official photo of Whishaw as Q has been revealed, and he looks good. But also very young.

Here's the shot of Ben Whishaw as Q, debuted on 007.com. It's not too much, but I like his glasses at least.

Ben Whishaw as Q in Skyfall

Skyfall is being directed by Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition, Jarhead, Revolutionary Road, Away We Go), from a script by John Logan, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade. Skyfall will once again star Daniel Craig as James Bond 007, along with Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench as M, Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney, Naomie Harris, Bérénice Marlohe, Helen McCrory, Ola Rapace with Ben Whishaw. You can also follow the official twitter @007 for updates as well, they've been tweeting photos and more. Columbia Pictures, Eon Productions and MGM have Skyfall set to hit US theaters on November 9th this fall. We'll continue to keep you updated on all things Bond. Read my on set experience from Istanbul and stay tuned.

Filed under First Look, James Bond, Photos

From around the web:

dgeet

I wouldve liked it if they used Hugh Laurie.
Agent13

Kinda makes sense that a techie would be a young guy. Good job, I say.
DotaD

Dawwwww
Steven

Stephen Fry would have been a better choice, played Mycroft Holmes in Game of Shadows perfectly. This guy looks way to young to be running a goverment department, unless he's a minor in the unit, but that isn't who Q is.
- Manuel
  
  The "nerd factor" sells these days. With TV shows like The Big Bang Theory, the whole 'nerdy' phenomena it's a the top. New Q, make him younger, hipster, super smart. I think this is kinda mainstream, but I think it's a good idea also. Let's see how it works.
jacobcrim

Wonder when we see another trailer, would prior to Rises be too soon?
- http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington
  
  Most likely. I expect every studio to try and release every big trailer they can on TDKR, knowing how huge it'll be.
  - jacobcrim
    
    Right, biggest film of the summer and one of the biggest of the year. Hell I wouldnt mind seeing 20 minutes of great trailers prior to the film.
DAVIDPD

I see what they were trying to get at with this "look". He looks like he could have come from a Matt Smith look-a-like contest.
- Heci
  
  I think he looks like this character (I've only seen one episode!) - http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1634631680/nm0330913 & http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1617854464/nm0330913 Although linking Whishaw with that is a bit degrading. I rate him as an actor. Also M was male so they changed that (be it many years ago), so why shouldn't they change Q a bit?
http://greenberryhill.tumblr.com/ junglejim

excited to see him in this, he was the best bob dylan in i'm not there
- Ryderup
  
  Yep. He and Blanchett. Liked gere also though alot.
LosZombies

Seems to fit just right Good job!
leinergroove

I wonder how they will manage the relationship between Bond and Q. All this time, Q has been much older than Bond and he plays this interesting sort of a fatherly figure, giving advices, being a little reprehensive, telling Bond to "grow up" but (I think) secretly admiring his work and his whole suave character. Now, the relationship will be completely different since Q is younger. It could be one of two: Q admiring Bond and sorta having him as his hero, or keeping a mature attitude despite of his age. Anyway, having Q again will be very very interesting!!
max

I bet he drinks Heineken® too.
http://twitter.com/txshurricane Jim

Hipsters in 007? Just...no.