164 replies to this topic

[Mr. Blofeld]

and Graham Rye on Twitter:

'Ben Whishaw as Q? They must be ing joking! SkyFall is beginning to sound much TOO clever for its own good! 'Classic Bond' I think not.'

What a continually lovely fellow, that Graham Rye...

[Pussfeller]

Is Graham Rye a celebrity? I can't find him on Wikipedia. Who is this man?

[British Chap]

Let us not forget, as many journalists have, that with Craig, the franchise re-started, ala CR as Bond's first mission. With the addition of (younger) Q at this point will be interesting. I can't wait to see how Whishaw plays the role he has been given.

Funny to think that there is a small chance forty some years later Whishaw could still be at it. While it is unlikely we would ever have an instance like this again in the series in today's age, and it would be particularly odd as he started younger then Bond and will end way older, with Bond staying the same (which was somewhat the case wthi Llewelyn, but he at least was always older), this young man could have a job for life.

[doublenoughtspy]

this young man could have a job for life.

Or not. Just ask John Cleese.

[jaguar007]

That decision's not in our hands or the writers' hands. Bond would only be using an iPhone and/or iPad if the good folk at Apple decided to shell out for a bit of everyone's favourite - product placement.

I'm pretty sure Bond will use a Sony Ericson phone.

[Guy Haines]

Now he has been cast, I wonder how long he'll last? And by that I don't mean he'll be a one film wonder so much as whether he'll be a recurring cast member like Dame Judi, Robert Brown, Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell and, of course, Desmond Llewelyn himself.

Llewelyn kept coming back, on and off for 36 years. And when he started in FRWL he was into his middle years. Wilshaw is only 31. Will we see this new "Q" develop from possible techno-geek to grumpy old gadget-meister? If he keeps returning the way Desmond did he could still be playing "Q" when I've either reached my 90s or gone to join the choir invisible!

(Not likely he'll stay around as long as Desmond Llewelyn, mind. Actors usually don't like being typecast But, you never know! )

(Incidentally, I'm enjoying ITV4's Connery/Bond season - DN and later FRWL on last night. And I noticed that one name was missing from the title credits of FRWL - Desmond Llewelyn's. He was in the end title credit list though. I'd never noticed that omission until yesterday.)

[SecretAgentFan]

or like the rubbish Q substitute in that Alias TV show.

I don't want a Q like that either. But Marshall was the man. I always got a chuckle when he was on screen. Fitted Alias.

Same here. I loved Marshall in that.

The problem with Q is - and I am very excited to see how P&W&L have dealt with this - that in spy fiction there seem to be only two variations possible:

- the older, grumpy, slightly weird tech guy who dislikes agents for mishandling his products but secretly likes them; he also sometimes reluctantly goes on a mission
- the young, arrogant, slightly or majorly weird tech guy who dislikes agents for mishandling his products but secretly likes them; he also sometimes reluctantly goes on a mission


A while ago I was wondering whether Q could be a former field agent who has been severely hurt and now puts all his efforts into those gadgets to help agents like 007 stay alive.

With a young Q that would not work. So, what can you do with a young Q.

With Whishaws good looks, of course, they will try to get the female viewers. So, maybe, he is not the weird nerd but the guy with a secret, emotionally hurt (hello, Twilight...).

Or...

... could they actually go for a gay Q? Someone who likes 007? Somehow that feels wrong because it forces Bond to be either irritated or politically correct - and both reactions are very Un-Bondian.

Hey, let´s get really out there and think about this: could Q be related to Bond? A nephew? For him to be a son of 007´s, Whishaw luckily is too old. And for me the quasi maternal relationship with M is personal enough.

I could imagine Q to be someone who envies Bond´s field work and his coolness - so this young Q tries to outcool that, giving Bond the technical help with extreme matter-of-fact-ness, even competing with him for the attraction of female colleagues (but, of course, failing to be like 007 in the end).


This one is really hard to predict. If only because I would be disappointed if the young Q would only be the stock-nerd.

[Jim]

Does he need a story? An arc? Growth? Development and motive?

Or is he there to give Bond an exploding pen?

Seems a bit odd to cast this Wishaw and not give him something to do but it strikes me that in the popular consciousness Q is wholly tied in with the gadgets and how memorable they are, rather than any particular significance of the character himself.

[SecretAgentFan]

True.

But it seems that Bond 2006-? is all about "emotional growth"...

[007jamesbond]

I am guessing he would not be "Major Boothroyd" maybe he will have the same name but a lower rank? or completely change his name but still loyal to Fleming Q? The movie never address him as Major Boothroyd anyways

[blueman]

Is Graham Rye a celebrity? I can't find him on Wikipedia. Who is this man?

Someone you should respect!

As for the new Q, it's kinda like a new car chase, I'll have to wait and see if it's a stinker (DAD) or a corker (QOS). Like the casting very much, so I'm hopeful about this.

[Mr_Wint]

(...) in spy fiction there seem to be only two variations possible:
- the older, grumpy, slightly weird tech guy who dislikes agents for mishandling his products but secretly likes them; he also sometimes reluctantly goes on a mission
- the young, arrogant, slightly or majorly weird tech guy who dislikes agents for mishandling his products but secretly likes them; he also sometimes reluctantly goes on a mission

No, there is a third way. They could have kept the guy from CR and continued with very straight and subtle Q-scenes. To start with a brief appearance for a few movies would have been the best way to create a unique Q, and give the new actor a chance to develop his character and his relationship with Bond. Remember that Llewelyn's Q-character was not created by a few screenwriters over a holiday - it took a few decades!

I am not looking forward to a young techno geek written by P&W. Honestly, I don't care how Q became Q.

[Mercator]

But is Ben Rickshaw must be playing the son of the Q? He could be son of Major Quentin Boothroyd! And has for to heard of James Bond from that father, no? I have not for the heard of this actor: has he that famous?

[Shrublands]

This isn't a spoiler.

It is. What if Wilshaw was revealed to be Q at the end of the film, after helping Bond with his mission.

Do you think that they might really do anything quite so soapy and silly? Just after this big reveal the Bond music could kick in, rearranged to sound like the opening bars of Eastenders.

[Pussfeller]

Is Graham Rye a celebrity? I can't find him on Wikipedia. Who is this man?

Someone you should respect!

He sounds like a particularly unappetizing bread.

Is he someone who posts here? I'm in the dark when it comes to people's real names.

[DamnCoffee]

He's the publisher of '007 Magazine'.

[Professor Dent]

That decision's not in our hands or the writers' hands. Bond would only be using an iPhone and/or iPad if the good folk at Apple decided to shell out for a bit of everyone's favourite - product placement.

I'm pretty sure Bond will use a Sony Ericson phone.

May just be a Sony phone now that they bought out Ericsson's stake in the company last month.

Now he has been cast, I wonder how long he'll last? And by that I don't mean he'll be a one film wonder so much as whether he'll be a recurring cast member like Dame Judi, Robert Brown, Bernard Lee, Lois Maxwell and, of course, Desmond Llewelyn himself.

Llewelyn kept coming back, on and off for 36 years. And when he started in FRWL he was into his middle years. Wilshaw is only 31. Will we see this new "Q" develop from possible techno-geek to grumpy old gadget-meister? If he keeps returning the way Desmond did he could still be playing "Q" when I've either reached my 90s or gone to join the choir invisible!

(Not likely he'll stay around as long as Desmond Llewelyn, mind. Actors usually don't like being typecast But, you never know! )

(Incidentally, I'm enjoying ITV4's Connery/Bond season - DN and later FRWL on last night. And I noticed that one name was missing from the title credits of FRWL - Desmond Llewelyn's. He was in the end title credit list though. I'd never noticed that omission until yesterday.)

If he does a good job with the character, I would like to think that he could be around for many films to come. He could definitely have a place in the Bond video game world. But, in todays world of constant film franchise reboots, his tenure will likely be on the shorter side. I hope I'm wrong because I've always like the familiarity of seeing the MI6 staff being consistent as the Bond actors have changed. While not direct sequels of each other, it gives them some level of continuity.

[MattofSteel]

He's the publisher of '007 Magazine'.

And his opinion means about as much to me as [insert metaphor for someone who's opinion means nothing].

Because, you know, we shouldn't dare see the film or the new angle before we pass judgement. Craig's being too short, blonde, and ugly DEFINITELY ruined Casino Royale, didn't it?

[SecretAgentFan]

WhishawnotQ.com already online?

[MrKidd]

Yes, seems rather reactionary to start slagging off a casting decision without knowing anything about how it's going to be written. From what I've seen he's a good actor and I'm happy that Q's back in town. As long as they don't start with the Onion Boy thing I don't see why anyone could be upset with this news.

[Nicolas Suszczyk]

Interesting! Could be very good indeed. Pics from his latest, The Hour - apparently his character is a fan of Ian Fleming's Bond novels:

This is Q, you know...



I can imagine the scene..


BOND ENTERS Q LAB

BOND (walking off like David Niven in CR 1967): Q! Good to see you... ermm you look younger, don't you?

Q: Actually, I am Q's grandson.

BOND: Where's your dear grandfather?

Q: He died in 1999.

BOND: And your father?

Q: He was dismissed in 2002. I am now replacing him. (break) Now... your new equipament...

BOND: Q, I'm afraid the Aston has a broken door, would you--

Q: Never mind, Jim. I'll get you a new one. By the way, here's your new iPod... it contains all the exquisite refinements... Tom Jones, The Killers, The Beatles...

BOND: I can't stand Beatles! hasn't your granfather told you?

Q: Oh, I forgot sorry. But you can log in to Facebook with it.

BOND: Perfect!

[DaveBond21]

I'm glad Q is back.

I only worry that they are just going to give this younger Q lots of smart- dialogue.


-

[marktmurphy]

Does he need a story? An arc? Growth? Development and motive?

Or is he there to give Bond an exploding pen?

Seems a bit odd to cast this Wishaw and not give him something to do but it strikes me that in the popular consciousness Q is wholly tied in with the gadgets and how memorable they are, rather than any particular significance of the character himself.

I think, having watched Spooks over the last few years, you can have an officer who is charged with distributing equipment who doesn't need to have an 'arc' or joke, but just an impression of character.

[Napoleon Solo]

I am guessing he would not be "Major Boothroyd" maybe he will have the same name but a lower rank? or completely change his name but still loyal to Fleming Q? The movie never address him as Major Boothroyd anyways

Not recent movies, but M address him as "Major Boothroyd" in Dr. No. From Russia With Love didn't state his name, but in the end titles the character was listed as "Boothroyd." The Incredible World of James Bond special (admitted not a movie but used to promote Thunderball) refers to him as "the fussy Major Boothroyd." And Anya says, "Good morning, Major Boothroyd" in The Spy Who Loved Me.

[sharpshooter]

Because, you know, we shouldn't dare see the film or the new angle before we pass judgement. Craig's being too short, blonde, and ugly DEFINITELY ruined Casino Royale, didn't it?

Exactly. And youngest Doctor ever Matt Smith apparently couldn't play a 900 year old plus Time Lord. Casting Whishaw is a very deliberate choice. They've obviously thought about it and have their angle. No worries from me.

[DamnCoffee]

Interesting! Could be very good indeed. Pics from his latest, The Hour - apparently his character is a fan of Ian Fleming's Bond novels:

This is Q, you know...



I can imagine the scene..


BOND ENTERS Q LAB

BOND (walking off like David Niven in CR 1967): Q! Good to see you... ermm you look younger, don't you?

Q: Actually, I am Q's grandson.

BOND: Where's your dear grandfather?

Q: He died in 1999.

BOND: And your father?

Q: He was dismissed in 2002. I am now replacing him. (break) Now... your new equipament...

BOND: Q, I'm afraid the Aston has a broken door, would you--

Q: Never mind, Jim. I'll get you a new one. By the way, here's your new iPod... it contains all the exquisite refinements... Tom Jones, The Killers, The Beatles...

BOND: I can't stand Beatles! hasn't your granfather told you?

Q: Oh, I forgot sorry. But you can log in to Facebook with it.

BOND: Perfect!

Stop being so against him! People said the same about Daniel Craig, and they were wrong, too. Judge him when you see him.

[007jamesbond]

I jsut thought of this.......a young Q (Ben Whishaw) and a older Miss.Moneypenny (Helen Mccroy(Sp?). It seems this is the case? in the 21th century?

[Jack Spang]

I'm glad Q is back.

I only worry that they are just going to give this younger Q lots of smart- dialogue.-

Yes, that's something they definitely shouldn't do but unfortunately I won't be surprised if this is the case. The post Cubby Eon do make a a fair few decisions I can't warm to.

He has an interesting look Wishaw. He looks better now than he did in Layer Cake that's for sure. I just can't see a Q of his age being a gun expert! If he's just into the technical stuff, then fine.

[Harmsway]

Given the way that CASINO ROYALE/QUANTUM OF SOLACE presented the more "Q branch"-y elements, with all those people looking at computer screens, I'm guessing he's more of a techie than a gun expert.

[Leon]

Given the way that CASINO ROYALE/QUANTUM OF SOLACE presented the more "Q branch"-y elements, with all those people looking at computer screens, I'm guessing he's more of a techie than a gun expert.

Indeed, times have changed. Though I would still like to see him issue Bond a few more basic tools such as his Walther PPK/holster.

Ben Whishaw is a brilliant and very diverse character actor with real class. I do wish people would stop bagging him so instantly and readily, they clearly have no idea of his capabilities. Also, he is under the thumb of Sam Mendes' directing, I have a feeling we'll get something very special and long-lasting from him.

Also, he's 31, which is not a schoolboy or anything ridiculous. A pair of glasses and the right nuances of make-up and wardrobe can add years if they want to and his acting chops can easily meet high standards of a sensible and mature Q. If the script is at fault, then the problems will go beyond one character anyway.