Bright Star actor Ben Whishaw to play youngest Q ever in next Bond film Skyfall

By Emily Sheridan

Last updated at 10:41 AM on 25th November 2011

It's been nearly 10 years since we last saw James Bond's gadget whiz Q.

But in a shake-up for the forthcoming 23rd 007 outing, the MI6 tech expert will actually be younger than the super spy.

Rising star Ben Whishaw, 31, will join Daniel Craig, 43, in the upcoming Skyfall next year.

New guy on the block: Ben Whishaw will play Q in the new Bond film Skyfall

The Bright Star actor follows in the footsteps of former Q actors, the late Desmond Llewelyn and John Cleese.

While Cleese was in his Sixties when he played Q, Llewelyn was 49 when he first played Q in From Russia With Love.

Funnyman Cleese only made two appearances in the Bond films, playing Q's protégé R in The World Is Not Enough in 1999, before replacing Llewelyn as Q in Die Another Day in 2002.

Hard act to follow: Desmond Llewelyn (left) in 1985 fo;, A View To A Kill and John Cleese in 2002's Die Another Day

Llewelyn was replaced by Cleese after he was killed in a car accident in December 1999, shortly after the premiere of The World Is Not Enough.

The character of Q has been missing from all of the Craig 007 films so far - Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace.

A source told The Sun: 'Female fans will have more than Daniel to gush over now Ben's been cast as Q. He'll be a big draw.

The gang: Whishaw will joined (L-R) Javier Bardem, Berenice Marlohe, Naomie Harris and Daniel Craig

'It's a bold decision as it means Q will be younger than Bond for the first time.

'His role will be very different from previous Qs. He'll be far more serious, as is the trend with the new films.'

Currently filming on location in London, Skyfall will also star Dame Judi Dench as M, Javier Bardem as a villian, Naomie Harris, Ola Rapace, Ralph Fiennes and Bérénice Marlohe.

Skyfall is due for release in October 2012.