Skyfall producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli formerly announced today what many of us already knew: Ben Whishaw (I'm Not There) will be playing James Bond's gadget guru Q in the upcoming 23rd entry in the series, due out November 9.
Along with the official announcement came the first official image of Whishaw as the new Q, looking appropriately intelligent and somewhat stern, with an impatient-looking, out of focus 007 in the background.
Skyfall will mark the first time Q has been present in the Daniel Craig-led Bond films, and, given the more grounded take on the character (compared to the Pierce Brosnan films, specifically), it'll be really interesting to see how this new quartermaster is entered into the equation. I highly doubt Bond will be driving invisible cars and flying around with a jet pack strapped to his back in Skyfall, but it wouldn't be a stretch to imagine 007's new ride being outfitted with some of the classic toys associated with Sean Connery's original take on the character (machine guns in the front, oil slick dispenser in the back, missiles that shoot out of the grill, etc.).
What'll be even more fun will be watching the back-and-forth between the two. Some of the more subtly entertaining parts of the earlier Bond films were when Bond would report for his gadgetry and royally piss off Q with his somewhat immature and joking attitude. "Grow up, 007," was a line Q would frequently resort to after Bond made a witty remark about one of his devices. One aspect of the relationship that's drastically different this time around, though, is that Q is younger than Bond. That's never happened before. How will Craig's Bond handle being briefed by someone who looks noticeably younger? Or will it not be an issue at all?
As I stated up top, Whishaw looks rather stern as he hovers over whatever resides in that briefcase. Is it a new toy for 007 to use to stop Javier Bardem? Or might it be some sort of weapon/device Bond picked up along the way that needs examining? Either way, I'll be looking out for one particular exchange when the two share the screen for the first time. Bond will examine a particularly mind-blowing device, and he'll say, "You must be joking." To which Q will respond, "I never joke about my work, 007." It's classic Bond and Q, and director Sam Mendes and many of his acclaimed cast have promised us Skyfall will be a classic Bond film.
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