Q returns
Ben Whishaw plays the role of Mi6 gadget man Q. (007.com)

Skyfall, Sam Mendes's upcoming James Bond film has a new master of gadgets.

Ben Whishaw will take on the role of Q, providing the very best high-tech gadgets to Daniel Craig's super spy.

The casting of Whishaw, who starred in Perfume: The story of a Murderer and Brideshead Revisited, is another indicator that the new Bond created by Casino Royale is not going to fall back on the same habits.

Q was first introduced in Dr No, when it was played by Peter Burton, but the Q that most fans remember fondly is Desmond Llewellyn, who played MI6's top technology man in 17 Bond films.

One of the few characters to constantly rebuke Bond for his careless attitude with the secret service's gadgets, Llewllyn created a character who had a special relationship with Bond, while scenes of him introducing Bond to his new devices became a comedic touch point for each series.

When Llewellyn passed away in 1999, he was replaced by John Cleese, who had the unfortunate task of playing the character in 2002's risible Die Another Day.

A huge critical flop, Die Another Day represented a watershed moment for MGM, when the studio released that audiences were tired of the series, which had dropped into a lazy autopilot bordering on self parody.

Therefore, when Casino Royale was released in 2006, it dropped the typical James Bond atmosphere, becoming grittier and more physical and naturalistic, aiming to subvert the conventions the series had created for itself.

The return of Q, who did not feature in Casino Royale or its sequel Quantum of Solace, will mark an interesting moment in the series reboot. Will Mendes use him for comic relief? Is that what fans of the series will want, or will the new Q be a completely different animal?

On the film's official website, producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli commented: "It's a real thrill to confirm the return of Q to Skyfall played by the enormously talented Ben Whishaw. We are delighted to have this beloved character back in the series."

Skyfall hits cinemas in October.