James Bond star confirms he’s quit franchise and film needs to be ‘completely reinvented’

| Deputy Entertainment Editor Published November 2, 2026 9:33am Updated November 2, 2026 9:33am ‘I rarely think about Bond. That would be weird,’ the actor said (Picture: Shutterstock / Getty) The upcoming James Bond film is all anyone can talk about, with the next 007 due to be announced imminently. And one actor, who has appeared in three Bond films, has now confirmed he won’t be returning to the franchise. Ben Whishaw, who played Q, head of Q Branch, the fictional research and development division of the British Secret Service in three James Bond films, has said he won’t be there for the upcoming 26th instalment directed by Denis Villeneuve. The Paddington actor previously appeared in Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), and Daniel Craig’s last film No Time to Die (2021). Reflecting on the future of the franchise to The Sunday Times, the actor, 46, said: ‘The world has changed so much since the last Bond film so you have to find what is relevant about it. ‘I think it needs to be reinvented completely. But it’s not for me to say.’ The former Bond star says the franchise needs to be ‘reinvented’ (Picture: Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) The actor has starred in three James Bond films alongside Daniel Craig (Picture: HA/THA/Shutterstock) Whishaw added: ‘I rarely think about Bond. That would be weird.’ He added that speculation about who will take over the role of 007 is ‘deliberate hype’, explaining: ‘People go crazy about it. ‘It’s all deliberate hype. When you are working on it, it’s incredibly secretive, almost like being a spy. ‘You only get the pages of the script that you are in. It’s a ploy to create suspense and glamour, but it’s kind of fun.’ The next Bond film is in development, and it was announced last year that Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight would write the script. Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce the upcoming project, which is currently untitled, while Dune’s Denis Villeneuve will direct. Callum Turner is now a frontrunner to be the next 007 (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock) Jack Lowden has also been tipped as a favourite after screen testing (Picture: JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images) Speculation as to who will be the next Bond has been feverish ever since Daniel Craig departed back in 2021. Callum Turner has now reportedly stepped down from the film production company he founded with wife Dua Lipa in a potential sign that he’s clearing his diary for the big job. The Sun reported that Callum, 36, had resigned from TwentyTwo Films Ltd, a company he and Dua, 31, set up last August. A source told the publication: ‘Callum is making all the right moves to become the next James Bond. ‘The role is all-consuming and commitment to it is a top priority of the producers.’ According to The Hollywood Reporter, the shortlist has been whittled down to four names, including Callum. Jack Lowden, 36, and Josh O’Connor, 36, are believed to be two of the others in contention, with a fourth actor also said to be participating in the screen tests. Arrow MORE: James Bond favourite ‘pulls into the lead’ after final screen tests Arrow MORE: My one desperate request for Bond filmmakers – and it’s nothing to do with the actor Arrow MORE: New James Bond frontrunner emerges as 007 auditions begin this weekend Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.