Ben Whishaw doesn't know if he will be returning for Bond 26or any other 007 franchise films. The most recent entry in the long-running British spy franchise, No Time to Die, came to theaters in October of 2021, delayed both by an early change of director and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. No Time to Die marked Daniel Craig's final outing as the iconic character James Bond, who has been played by several different actors over the course of his 50-year history on the screen. Although many potential Craig replacement ideas are being batted around the Internet, including fan-favorite Idris Elba, the producers of the Bond franchise have been reluctant to announce a decision, though they have promised that a Bond 26 is coming.

One of James Bond's most frequently appearing companions is the tech wizard Q, originally played by Peter Burton in Dr. No in 1962. He has been recast several times through the years, though not as frequently as James Bond himself. Q has been played by notable actors including Desmond Llewelyn and John Cleese, but the iteration of the character in the Daniel Craig Bond universe is played by Ben Whishaw, who is perhaps best known for providing the voice of the live-action Paddington, in the films based on the children's books by Michael Bond.

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While speaking with the BBC, Whishaw recently discussed the future of the Bond franchise. The actor revealed that the rest of the No Time to Die cast has not been informed whether or not they will be returning to their roles after Craig's final outing. The actor admitted that he "know[s] nothing," but certainly suspects that the producers are "probably starting all over again" and doesn't think he'll be returning. Read Wishaw's full quote below:

"I have absolutely no idea. I know nothing. They are incredibly tight-lipped about everything really ... I have a suspicion I won't be coming back ... I think that they're probably starting all over again. And that might be the right thing. But of course, but I don't know for certain."

Ben Whishaw as Q

Whishaw's iteration of Q first appeared in Skyfall, which came to theaters in 2013. In addition to Q's usual duties of providing James Bond with his gadgetry, this version of Q was friendlier with the spy, and formed a more major part of his operation than previous portrayals of the character. In No Time to Die, Q's personal life was also explored for the first time. In a brief scene that saw Craig's Bond visit his colleague and friend at home, the film made a reference to Q's boyfriend in a brief moment that Whishaw, who is gay, has since said he found somewhat "unsatisfying." However, Whishaw also said that the film's recognition of an LGBTQ+ character, albeit fleeting, "came from a good place." Ultimately, all of Q's character details since Skyfall have served to flesh out Whishaw's version into a much bigger player than previous Bond films, and the character is now very much part of the core cast.

It would certainly make sense for Bond 26 to wipe the slate clean, regardless of how much fans may miss Whishaw, as well as Ralph Fiennes' M and Naomie Harris' Moneypenny. However, given how unusually serialized and continuity-focussed the Daniel Craig Bond films were, rebooting the universe would likely require a major cast overhaul so as not to be confusing. This decision, and other big choices like it, is up to the producers behind the Bond universe. While the wait continues to discover who will be the next James Bond, many will be eager to hear whether the supporting task will be getting another appearance, too.

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Source: BBC