Assuming that the Daniel Craig James Bond movies eventually get around to including Q in some form, who should play him? Tradition would seem to indicate that John Cleese from The World Is Not Enough & Die Another Day should come back. After all, they brought back Judi Dench from those films for Casino Royale & Quantum of Solace. However, Cleese might be a touch too silly for the darker tone they're going with for the Craig films. I'm leaning towards either Michael Caine or Christopher Eccleston myself. Caine has already found himself in similar supporting roles in Batman Begins & The Prestige. And with Eccleston, somehow I can just picture it.
Craig's Bond films have been dark. I think a darker Q would be interesting to see. At the moment I can't call to mind an actor who I think would fit the bill. But it's an interesting to think about.
Cleese wasn't joking, he was seriously pissed about not being included in CR. Even though he seems pretty mercenary, I don't think they could make it worth his while. I actually think they need a non-actor in the role. The guy who makes the high-tech vacuum cleaners and does his own commercials is ideal for Q. His voice is interesting enough (which is probably more important than acting talent for THAT role) and he could probably just be himself. I'm more interested in them casting Moneypenny or Mary Goodnight. Could be a past Craig costar ... Greta Scachi would have been a great Bond girl in the Dalton era, Catherine McCormack in the Bros era, either would be great Moneypennys now (I'd have killed to see mcCormack play Vesper Lynd, given how well she worked with Brosnan in TAILOR OF PANAMA.)
Agreed. Since Judi Dench is still the "M," there's no reason John Cleese should stop portraying Q (unless he doesn't want the role anymore).
It's hard to see Cleese being invited back. His take was much too light-hearted and frivolous for the Craig series, whereas Dench fits in as well here as she did in the Brosnan era. I said some time ago that I'd like to see someone in the vein of a younger Michael Caine or Edward Woodward (and not that plank of a son of his!). An armourer, someone with a touch of the Sgt Major about him. Also, in the first few movies, Q wasn't an awful lot older than 007 and I'd rather go back to that than the more avuncular character of the Dalton & Brosnan eras. Must admit, I can't think of anyone who really fits the bill. Eccleston isn't quite who I had in mind, but I could see him working. He can alternate quite easily between grumpy ('Put that DOWN 007!') and giddy (as when showing off his latest inventions). I've a vague recollection of reading that he and Craig didn't get along when making Our Friends In The North in the 1990s, but maybe a bit of friction would be what they need.
"Perhaps you should read the instructions first?" Hmm i'm not sure who could play Q. Maybe someone with the background of Dench and the familiarity to both the US and UK audience Bill Nighly maybe? My choice for moneypenny would be Emily Mortimer. She was cute as a button in "The Pink Panther"
Every actor mentioned in here so far I've had to run through my head saying "Now pay attention, 007" It's kind of amusing.
How about a former Bond/ Bond villain? Toby Stephens can play geeky very well! For Moneypenny Emila Fox, but I am biased!
Same here - which is how I came round to suggesting Tony Head - perhaps in Giles mode... Giles as Bond's watcher, that I could see...
I'm not sure who I'd go for. Someone quintessentially British I think, but with a bit of attitude... Nigel Havers hasn't got the "oomph" I don't think, but someone like him. Or, different tack... do you think David Jason could pull it off (in more of a Frost frame of mind)? Hmm I'm not sure, just thought I'd put it out there.