As I write this story, Netflix’s Black Doves is playing in the background, and I’m hearing Ben Whishaw’s sweet voice. Without thinking about the words he’s saying, I can only picture the lovable bear he’s best known for voicing, Paddington. However, when I take a moment to listen to his character Sam’s dialogue, I quickly realize he’s not the most wholesome character ever. He’s playing an emotional and occasionally cold-hearted assassin. To put it lightly, that shift is jarring.

So, as I binged the Netflix series the first time, I couldn’t help but feel quite confused by Ben Whishaw’s role in this show. However, I simultaneously adored it as it subverted my expectations of both him as an actor and the spy genre in general.

As A Paddington Fan, Seeing Ben Whishaw As An Assassin Confused Me And Threw Me Off Guard

Let’s start with why I was confused. I’m one of the many people in the camp who agree with the Paddington 2 reviews that say it’s a perfect film. So, whenever I see or hear Ben Whishaw, my mind immediately associates him with that wholesome bear.

However, he’s quite literally the opposite of wholesome in Black Doves, and each time he was on my screen, I had to jump over a hurdle to disassociate him from Paddington.

That led to a lot of confusion throughout the entire show. Which, let me make this clear, is not Ben Whishaw’s fault or problem, this is 100% on me. He’s wonderful in this show! However, when he appeared on screen with a gun or he was flirting with a guy or he was handling a truly violent situation, I was over here having to say “Riley, he is not Paddington, he just sounds like him.”

This silly confusion of having to re-wire my brain to think of Ben Whishaw as an assassin, not a kind and sweet being actually worked in the show’s favor though. This feeling is not bad, it’s fantastic because my preconceived notions of both the Women Talking actor and the spy genre were totally subverted by seeing him play this cool, calm and mostly collected assassin.

However, It’s That Subversion Of Expectations Of Both Ben Whishaw And The Spy Genere That Makes Me Love Black Doves

In this 2024 Netflix release, there are two different subversions of expectations going on.

On one hand, the character Sam allows Ben Whishaw to play someone totally opposite of the characters we’ve come to know him as. Whether you are used to him being the playful and kind Paddington or the nerdy genius Q in James Bond, you likely associate the actor with quieter and softer roles. Well, Black Doves is a total departure from that.

Sam is willing to kill just about anyone, he’s quite sassy and, in a lot of ways, he fits in that cold-blooded trope we’ve come to associate with assassins and spies. And Whishaw delivers his iconic one-liners with ease, he’s effortlessly charming and his action sequences are epic.

However, in a true Ben Whishaw way, he also adds a gentleness to Sam that makes him more emotional and vulnerable than your typical assassin.

Sam’s humanity plays a big role in this show, and his desire to be loved is a challenge he grapples with all season. The Skyfall actor brings his lovability and vulnerability to his character, and ultimately that makes him a mesmerizing and lovable figure in this story.

That is part of the reason why Black Doves is so acclaimed, and it’s why I love this wild spy thriller so much. So, if you haven’t checked it out yet, now is the time to use your Netflix subscription to see the magnificent Ben Whishaw play an assassin in this fun, violent, cheeky, creative and at times heartfelt series.

There are long-running movie franchises, and then there's James Bond. Generations have grown up watching 007's adventures, with Daniel Craig's Bond movies coming to an end with No Time to Die. Since then, fans have been wondering who might replace Craig, and take on the mantle of the MI6 agent with licence a to kill. One Bond actor recently got real about returning post-Daniel Craig, and now I’m nervous.

The ending of No Time to Die killed off James Bond, to the surprise of moviegoers. Fans have been waiting to see which actor might take on the role of 007 next, although Eon Productions haven't given any indication. While some fans assumed that other supporting characters from Craig's run (some of which are streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription) could return, Q actor Ben Whishaw recently spoke to BBC (via Deadline) about the future of the franchise, and cast doubt on whether or not he'd be back. As he put it:

Well, now I'm bummed. Daniel Craig's run as Bond was wildly successful, and the supporting cast definitely deserves credit in that regard. That includes Judi Dench's M, as well as Ben Whishaw's take on Q. But it sounds like the Paddington actor isn't convinced he'll be back whenever the next 007 movie arrives in theaters.

Later in that same interview, Whishaw further explained his thoughts about the future of the Bond franchise, and whether or not he'll be playing Q in the future. While he's got a realistic approach, it sounds like he'd love to get the call from Barbara Broccoli and company. In his words:

It sounds like the Mary Poppins Returns actor is just as clueless about the future of James Bond as the rest of us. Perhaps this means that Eon is taking its time developing its new vision for the spy movie franchise. After all, mums been the word since No Time to Die hit theaters back in October of 2021.

This space between movies might help to give fans time to miss James Bond and his adventures, therefore buoying excitement for the next movie (whenever it might be). But I really hope that Ben Whishaw and his co-stars like Ralph Fiennes and Naomie Harris get to return as M and Moneypenny respectively. They gave fresh new performances in the Daniel Craig movies, so hopefully they get to continue playing those roles. While we wait for news, check the 2025 movie release dates to plan your next trip to the movies.

Get ready to dive back into the world of spies, because Black Doves Season 2 is happening.

We have lived in a world that is filled with excellent spy shows, and now Black Doves has joined that list with a fun story and incredible action sequences that earned it a Season 2 renewal. It was one of the most popular Netflix shows for a time – until it got knocked down like all shows do, but now it’s going to continue the story when the second season comes along.

But, what could it be about? Here is what we know so far – and what you should know, too.

What Is The Black Doves Release Date?

At the time of updating this, in March 2025, there is no set premiere date for Black Doves Season 2. Netflix Tudum did confirm the second season is happening, but we do not have an idea of when it will come out on one of the best streaming platforms. I personally don’t think there’s even a chance it’ll come out as part of the 2025 TV schedule, since filming has not even begun – as we’ll get into below.

The Black Doves Season 2 Cast

While nothing has been confirmed yet regarding the cast for Black Doves Season 2, here is who we can expect to see again:

• Keira Knightley as Helen Webb (née Dawson)
• Ben Whishaw as Sam Young
• Sarah Lancashire as Reed
• Andrew Buchan as Wallace Webb
• Andrew Koji as Jason Davies
• Omari Douglas as Michael

I’m sure that as time goes on, we’ll get more updates regarding the cast - as well as any new cast members that join.

What Is Black Doves Season 2 About?

While plot details aren’t confirmed, we do have some idea of where the creator, Joe Barton, wants the show to go from an interview that he did with The Hollywood Reporter in December 2024. A major thing is that he wishes for Michael (Omari Douglas), Sam’s ex-boyfriend, to come back and shake things up a bit:

He also commented that while he would love for the show to always be a “Christmas” series, Season 2 will most likely not take place around the holidays:

The one thing that felt like it was missing from Black Doves as a spy show was sort of the person who was overseeing everything and always one step ahead – the big villain, if you will. Barton commented on this, saying that in Season 2, that’s one of his goals – to make sure Helen and Sam face someone like that:

Now all we can do is wait to see what happens next – and what kind of big bad there will be.

Filming Will Not Begin For Some Time

I’m sure it’s not too surprising considering the show only just came out in December 2024, but filming for Black Doves Season 2 is a ways out. In an interview that Ben Whishaw did with Collider in January 2025, he admitted that they were months away from shooting, at least six or seven, because the story hasn’t been completely written yet.

With that in mind, it’ll be some time before we get a filming update.

What are you excited about the most when it comes to Black Doves Season 2? I need to watch all of Keira Knightley's best movies to bide my time for it – or until we at least get more updates.

The question is not if we will get a new James Bond, the question is simply when. Daniel Craig’s version of the character is about as done as it could possibly be, but does that mean that all the actors who appeared alongside Craig are also finished? Ben Whishaw, who played Q in three of Daniel Craig’s Bond films certainly isn’t expecting to return, and it doesn’t sound like he’s that interested.

Daniel Craig’s James Bond tenure was unlike those that came before because it had a clear beginning and even clearer ending. And yet that doesn’t prevent characters like Q or M from being portrayed in the next Bond movie by the same actors that played them in the previous one. But Ben Whishaw tells Radio Times that he is not under contract to appear in any future Bond movies, and he hopes to see the franchise renew itself, which would seem to indicate a strong willingness, if not a desire, to pass the torch. Whishaw said…

There is certainly a history of actors who played supporting roles in the franchise continuing even as the lead actor changed. Most notably Desmond Llewelyn played Q starting with the second James Bond movie, From Russia With Love, and continued to play the character through the second to final Pierce Brosnan entry, The World is Not Enough. If you watch the James Bond movies in order you'll see him more than anybody else. Of course, there is at least an argument to be made that the reason for that is that despite the decades that pass: the James Bond character played by Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan are supposed to be the same man.

But even in the case of a definitive reboot of the franchise we’ve seen characters carry over. Judi Dench played M in Pierce Brosnan’s last franchise entry, then reprised the role in Casino Royale with Daniel Craig and continued on even after the character's death in a cameo in Spectre. Dench appeared despite the fact that those two actors were clearly playing different versions of James Bond. The movie simply never addressed it, and everybody just moved on.

The same thing could potentially happen here. Whether we get a brand new origin story for James Bond, or we simply get a Bond movie that picks up in media res and doesn’t reference the fact that James Bond died in the previous film, the next James Bond will not be the same character played by Craig. But it’s unlikely that any fans would be that bothered by seeing the return of Whishaw or Ralph Finneas as M. Before we know who the next Q or M will be, we need to know what the plan is for James Bond himself.

As the world of James Bond movies is in a crucial period of transition, an air of mystery hangs over the current MI6 family cast in the franchise and whether they’ll be there to welcome a new 007. Actors like Ben Whishaw aren’t sure about their status in the series, though in the case of the man who is the current Q, he thinks he’s about to be replaced. If this is true, it’s a really terrible idea in the march up to Bond 26.

What Ben Whishaw Said About His Future As Q

Catching up with ScreenRant in a recent interview, Whishaw was asked whether or not he knew anything about a potential role in the continuing Bond franchise. Addressing this often-asked question with his usual charm, Ben Whishaw shared his concerns as follows:

This is exactly the same sort of question that’s also been posed to Naomie Harris and Ralph Fiennes given what went down in No Time To Die’s literally explosive ending. When asked, Harris was also uncertain, but hoping to retain her role. That same sort of company line can also be traced to Fiennes and other co-stars hoping for more 007 in their careers. 

Just as Moneypenny and M are important pieces to the James Bond legacy, making up a big part of the MI6 family that backs 007 in the field, their positions are roughly linked with that of Q. After Daniel Craig’s James Bond reboot era, everything seems up for grabs, even the recently installed cast of characters vital to every mission. Which, of course, is part of why recasting these characters is a terrible idea. 

Why Recasting The MI6 Family Is A Terrible Idea

For the purposes of rebooting the Bond films, it was clear that a mostly clean slate was needed when the Daniel Craig era started. With Dame Judi Dench’s M being the only holdover from the Pierce Brosnan James Bond movies, the rest of the MI6 family wouldn’t come into the picture until 2012’s Skyfall. If Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson are looking to make that same sort of top down reboot, then it might be a necessarily evil so to speak.

However, keeping the existing team of Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, and Ralph Fiennes in their respective roles could act as a proper foundation for whomever plays 007 next. As the next Commander Bond is going to be a fresh face that has experience in the world of espionage, he’s going to need a group of people as experienced as he is. 

Previous continuity in the franchise has seen new actors slipping into the tuxedo with the same actors reprising the roles of M, Q, and Moneypenny. People might be less open to that sort of loose connection in the MCU era of filmmaking, but considering how recent the introductions of these incarnations occurred, there's still some time left on the clock. 

For now, we all know as much as Ben Whishaw about the future of James Bond. Hopefully 2023 will provide some much sought after updates, as Bond 26 is set to start filming James Bond's return next year. In the meantime, fans can relive the final adventure of Daniel Craig's 007 in No Time To Die, which is streaming for those of you with a Prime Video subscription.

Months after premiering at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, and weeks after opening in cities like New York and Los Angeles, Sarah Polley’s Golden Globe-nominated dramatic film, Women Talking, has finally made its way to theaters across the country with its long-awaited wide release. Set in 2010, the movie centers on a close-knit group of women in a small and strict Mennonite community as they come together and make a difficult decision after discovering the men in their lives have been drugging and raping them for years, with the core cast featuring one incredible actress after another.

If you have watched the new drama, or are planning to do so now that it’s playing across the country, there’s a good chance you’re wondering where you’ve seen the Women Talking cast before. Fear not, for we have put together a list of the major players in the 2022 book-to-movie adaptation of Miriam Toews novel of the same name.

Rooney Mara (Ona)

Leading off the cast is Rooney Mara, who takes on the role of Ona, a Mennonite woman pregnant with the child of one of her abusers. 

This is the latest in a series of tough and difficult roles taken on by the two-time Academy Award nominee (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Carol), which includes movies like A Ghost Story, Mary Magdalene, and Nightmare Alley. Since breaking out nearly a decade-and-a-half ago with roles in the likes of Youth in Revolt, the 2010 remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street, and a small yet powerful performance in The Social Network, Mara has gone on to show up in titles like Side Effects, Her, and Lion to name a few. She’s next set to appear alongside her fiancé, Joaquin Phoenix, in The Island. 

Claire Foy (Salome)

Claire Foy appears in Women Talking as Salome, one of the Mennonite women determined to leave their community behind, no matter what it takes.

Fans of the sprawling Netflix historical drama series The Crown will instantly recognize Foy from her award-winning portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II during the show’s first two seasons, though she did appear in flashbacks in later installments. Sticking with TV, Foy has also given notable performances on the likes of A Very British Scandal and Upstairs Downstairs. 

Just like co-star Rooney Mara years earlier, Foy took on the role of Lisbeth Salander in 2018’s The Girl in the Spider’s Web, the same year she appeared alongside Ryan Gosling in First Man. And, according to Variety, Foy will appear in the upcoming adaptation of Taichi Yamada’s Strangers. 

Jessie Buckley (Mariche)

Jessie Buckley shows up in the new drama as Mariche, one of the female members of the Mennonite colony who aren’t so keen on the idea of leaving everything and everyone they know behind.

Over the course of the past few years, Buckley has made quite a name for herself with attention-grabbing performances in movies like I’m Thinking of Ending Things, Men, and The Lost Daughter, the latter of which earned her an Academy Award nomination). She has also taken on roles in shows like The Woman in White, Chernobyl, and Fargo in recent years. 

Ben Whishaw (August)

Playing one of the few good men in Women Talking, Ben Whishaw takes on the role of August, one of the male members of the Mennonite community.

Fans of the Daniel Craig James Bond movies will instantly recognize Whishaw from his portrayal of gadget master Q, which started with his debut in 2012’s Skyfall. But the talented film, TV, and stage actor has much more to his filmography, including Perfume: The Story of a Murderer, The Lobster, The Hour, and Fargo. And, since 2014, Whishaw has been the voice of Paddington in two movies, and various TV shows and specials, including one for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. 

Frances McDormand (Scarface Janz)

Frances McDormand appears in the cast as Scarface Janz, one of the members of the community who would rather do nothing and let things die down.

McDormand, who has won three Oscars for acting (Fargo, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Nomadland), and one as a producer (also Nomadland), has spent the better part of the past 40 years giving one outstanding performance after another, including in multiple films directed by her husband, Joel Coen, such as Blood Simple, Burn After Reading, and The Tragedy of Macbeth. She has also appeared in the likes of Moonrise Kingdom, Almost Famous, Wonder Boys, and Primal Fear, to name only a few. 

Judith Ivey (Agata)

Judith Ivey appears in Women Talking as Agata, the matriarch of one of the families tasked with deciding what should be done once the revelations of abuse are made public. 

Throughout her career, Ivey has appeared in movies like The Devil’s Advocate, Mystery, Alaska, Flags of Our Fathers, and A Life Less Ordinary, as well as dozens of TV appearances. These include everything from Designing Women to The Critic, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit to New Amsterdam. Ivey has also won two Tony Awards over the years, one for Steaming in 1981 and then several years later for her role in the 1984 run of Hurlyburly. 

Liv McNeil (Neitje)

Liv McNeil shows up in the film as Neitje, one of the younger members of the Mennonite community who has suffered abuse at the hands of the men in the colony.

Women Talking is the first major role for the young actress, who got her start writing and directing the 2020 short film, Numb.

Sheila McCarthy (Greta)

Sheila McCarthy appears as Greta, the matriarch of another one of the families tasked with deciding the future of the Mennonite colony.

Over the years, McCarthy has landed roles on shows like Picket Fences, Star Trek: Discovery, The Umbrella Academy, and most recently, The Good Doctor, as well as a list of movies that includes The Day After Tomorrow, The Lotus Eaters, Die Hard 2, and The Middle Man. 

Michelle McLeod (Mejal)

Michelle McLeod takes on the role of Mejal, another one of the younger victims of abuse rampant throughout Women Talking.

Over the years, the young actress has appeared in movies like My Spy, Honey Bee, and Don’t Talk to Irene, as well as shows like Grand Army, Tin Star, and the latest season of the Netflix series Workin’ Moms. 

Kate Hallett (Autje) 

Kate Hallett makes her feature film debut with her portrayal of Autje, another young member of the Mennonite colony at the center of the film’s narrative. 

Women Talking is currently playing in theaters nationwide. If you want to know what else is coming out this week or in the near future, check out our 2023 movie schedule for all the latest.

The search for Daniel Craig’s James Bond replacement has been hot with multiple candidates reportedly in the running, including Regé-Jean Page and Henry Cavill. Finding a successor has been tough for Bond producers as they look to reinvent the international spy. But beyond finding the next Bond, there’s been a question over who may or may not return after No Time to Die. With speculation running rampant, Lashana Lynch, Ralph Fiennes, and more No Time to Die stars spoke about possibly returning to the James Bond franchise.

Lashana Lynch (Nomi)

As one of No Time to Die’s breakout stars, the Woman King star stole multiple scenes as Nomi. Taking up 007 was a huge deal for Lynch following in the steps of earlier Black female representation. Being a fan favorite made many viewers want more potential Nomi stories in the future. With the franchise in flux right now, Lashana Lynch mentioned to Empire she was unsure of her Bond future, but the actress did spill an interesting tidbit about her current status with Eon Productions.

So there might be more Nomi after all. This development means Bond producers want Lynch to keep the 007 mantle going after Craig’s departure. It made sense given the spy franchise is going through a 21st-century transition. Maybe the future of the franchise is female despite the ongoing search for a new Bond.

Keeping Lynch under contract would allow the fans to watch more takedowns and see Nomi come into her own. The character displayed endless potential to carry the beloved franchise in a different direction if she were to fight alongside the new international spy. Fans can breathe as the Doctor Strange 2 star is locked in… for now. But are her No Time to Die co-stars on board for another film when the time comes?

Ralph Fiennes (M)

Ralph Fiennes served as the perfect successor to Dame Judi Lynch when he took over in Skyfall. He managed to carry over the authoritarian angle while fighting to keep Craig’s Bond on track. Fiennes inhabited the MI6 chief well. A few fans have questioned whether the Oscar nominee would return after Craig’s swan song. Despite the looming doubt, the Schindler’s List actor made his case for staying on as the head of MI6.

So the 59-year-old actor is ready for another Bond outing once the producers settle on a new spy. Having him remain with the franchise would be a major positive to help fans transition into the reinvention.

Naomie Harris (Eve Moneypenny)

Naomie Harris reintroduced Eve Moneypenny as a field agent-to-M’s right hand in 2012’s Skyfall. She added a new depth to the witty secretary upon her appearance. After months after No Time to Die’s release, Harris ung on to hope that she will return after planting seeds of doubt about her future with the franchise.

As Harris mentioned, a new Bond could bring in a new MI6 family. She’s still game to play Moneypenny again if producers decided to keep the remaining cast. Like Fiennes, it would be nice to see her remain with the spy film series as a way to bridge the gap between the Daniel Craig era and the new Bond.

Ben Whitshaw (Q)

Resembling Harris’ introduction, Ben Whishaw reinvented the tech-savvy research developer for a new generation upon his debut in 2012’s Skyfall. Whishaw gave Q a new dimension, and despite the character’s development in No Time to Die, the Golden Globe winner opened up to the BBC about his uncertainty over his return.

Of course, recruiting a new James Bond usually brings in a new cast for a new era. Bond producers being secretive doesn’t quell Whishaw’s doubt over his return as Q. Hopefully, he’ll be brought back for another film so fans can, at least, see how his story plays out.

Léa Seydoux (Dr. Madeleine Swann)

Léa Seydoux’s Dr. Madeleine Swann made an impression over two movies as James Bond’s most recent love interest from the Craig era. Despite the twist in No Time to Die, she appeared to complete her arc by having Bond’s daughter. Given that she didn’t die in the end, her future with the spy film series is unknown. When speaking about her possible return, Seydoux said:

Having Bond’s only child put her in a special place in the Bond girl pantheon. Driving into the sunset with her and Bond’s daughter might be a proper conclusion to Dr. Swann’s story. But the The French Dispatch star felt there was a door open for her return.

Having an open-ended conclusion did leave room for Seydoux to pop up again. It might not be in the new Bond film, but having Bond’s daughter could lead to a story down the line.

With so many questions in the air, only time will tell if these actors return to play these beloved characters. You can watch No Time to Die to catch the actors playing these roles by getting an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

While No Time To Die continues to be recognized for making history, there’s a moment in Daniel Craig’s final entry into the James Bond movies canon that forged a path of its own. As Ben Whishaw’s Q was written to have a gay romance storyline in the 25th James Bond film, it could be seen as another sign of progress for the series. However, looking at how the scene came out the way it did, Whishaw himself feels that, in retrospect, more could have been done.  

During an interview with The Guardian, the actor who was introduced into the Bond franchise in 2012’s Skyfall unpacked the moment as more of a footnote than a major revelation. He’s not wrong, as the most that the audience is given to confirm Q’s dating life is a slight mention of an unnamed man who’s supposed to show up for dinner, just as Bond and Moneypenny crash the party to request his help. Noticing the brevity himself, Ben Whishaw laid out the following story about his reaction, and ultimately his acceptance, of the moment as is: 

Besides his hastily cancelled dinner plans, No Time To Die does have another small moment that could be construed as showing Q’s openly gay status in the 007 saga. While reviewing the footage from Primo’s eye camera in one moment, a tuxedoed James Bond shows up and prompts the young quartermaster to admire his colleague’s good looks with another line of dialogue. It's not much more to go on, but it definitely shows that there was an attempt made to broaden Q's backstory. 

That feeling of a “very big machine” couldn’t have been more pressing than while making No Time To Die. Given Daniel Craig’s history of franchise injuries, as well as the shakeup that saw Danny Boyle being substituted with Cary Joji Fukunaga as the film’s director, the process to get to the finish line felt a bit more chaotic than usual. Even through last minute rewrites fleshing out Ana de Armas’ character Paloma, the whole fabric of the story seemed to be up for random changes. Addressing the concerns that some may have had about Q’s same sex relationship being shoehorned in by the higher ups, Ben Whishaw dispelled that notion quickly:

It’s difficult to reconcile No Time To Die’s brief inclusion of Q's love life, especially in light of other moments that happened during Daniel Craig’s tenure. As Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson fought to keep Silva’s seduction of Bond in Skyfall, fans know that the franchise producers are open to pushing the boundaries of 007 modernity. The two moments of Q’s character development do seem to come from a good place, but it’s hard not to agree with Mr. Whishaw that the opportunity was wasted when it came to doing something more substantial. 

Another lesson for the James Bond saga's future has been laid out, even as No Time To Die does still represent quite a progressive step forward. Both the treatment of James Bond and un-conventional Bond woman Dr. Madeleine Swann has shown that huge steps have been taken in the legendary espionage’s continued evolution. This matter seems poised to become another of the many debated moments in the queer history of 007 for years to come, with Ben Whishaw’s place in history secured. More importantly, let’s hope that it opens the door wider for the inclusion of more openly gay characters, as well as other figures that can further the cause of diversity in the long run.

While there isn't a new James Bond movie scheduled on the horizon, there are plenty of adventures waiting in the 2022 movie releases to come. Meanwhile, No Time To Die is available on home video, for purchase or rental; ready for fans to continue this conversation after gathering their thoughts. 

The world of James Bond has seen great changes throughout the Daniel Craig era. With No Time To Die going as far as reassigning the 007 code number to Nomi, Lashana Lynch’s new 00 agent, the formula for the Bond series has continued to evolve for change. Naturally, that leads to questions about scenarios, such as whether or not we’d see a gay James Bond. Q actor Ben Whishaw is one such person who would love to see this sort of progress made in the franchise, and one of his suggestions for such honors is yet another potential Bridgerton hire.

When asked about whether or not he’d like to see a gay James Bond, Whishaw enthusiastically submitted Bridgerton star Jonathan Bailey as one of his two choices. Speaking with the magazine Attitude, in anticipation for No Time To Die, the actor who’s been with the 007 saga since 2012’s Skyfall saw this sort of scenario as a sign of further changes Bond could stand to make to his cinematic image. However, Ben Whishaw caveated his fan casting with some very mindful suggestions:

Impressing audiences in the first season of Shonda Rhimes’ breakout Netflix hit, Jonathan Bailey played Anthony, the eldest son of the titular clan. His life of avoiding responsibility, and carousing with friend/brother-in-law Simon (played by fellow James Bond contender Rége-Jean Page), Bailey has definitely played toward a more traditional blueprint from the 007 playbook. But how does he compare to this other mystery man that Ben Whishaw thinks could take over the tuxedo after No Time To Die?

Seeing as Ben Whishaw's other potential candidate is none other than Beauty and the Beast star Luke Evans, that particular showdown might be tough. Judging by his enthusiasm for the role, as well as the impressive physique he’s been maintaining, we’re betting that Evans would absolutely still jump at the chance to play James Bond. Plus, based on his previous evaluation of the Bond casting process, Evans seems to have a good mind towards what this opportunity would entail.

With the more traditional casting game already in a bit of a frenzy, Ben Whishaw has thrown the world a curve it’s long danced around. Should the character of James Bond evolve into a non-heteronormative lead, that only opens the possible field of casting up to a greater extent. Meaning that we could be coming ever closer to another groundbreaking portrayal of 007, which would further diversify the role.

For now, you can see Daniel Craig wrapping up his tenure as James Bond, with Ben Whishaw reprising his role as Q, in No Time To Die. The film opens in UK cinemas this Thursday, with US audiences scheduled to partake in early showings starting October 6th.

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It's a fascinating time for the James Bond franchise. We're just months away from the release of Cary Joji Fukunaga's No Time to Die, which is the 25th movie in the beloved franchise. The upcoming blockbuster is also notable as its Daniel Craig's fifth and final appearance as 007. Craig's tenure as James has seen the franchise embraced serialized storytelling, and actor Ben Whishaw recently teased that the next movie will connect to the previous four installments.

Ben Whishaw has played Q throughout Daniel Craig's time as Bond, and will reprise his role in No Time to Die. The Daniel Craig movies have embraced serialized storytelling, taking a step away from the franchise's history as an anthology. Whishaw recently teased to how it will all connect in Bond 25, saying:

Well, this is certainly exciting. With serialized storytelling becoming the norm through cinematic universes like the MCU, moviegoers have become used to watching long-running narratives. No Time to Die will callback to the previous four movies, properly sending off Daniel Craig's version of Bond in the process.

Ben Whishaw's comments to Collider are sure to excite the generations of Bond fans out there. Since the franchise dates back to 1962, entire generations of cinephiles were brought up with 007's adventures as a spy. The mantle of the character has been passed from actor to actor, with Daniel Craig finally reaching the end of his run. Although it sounds like he'll be going out in a grand fashion.

Historically, Bond movies been an anthology; they're unconnected stories that focus on a single mission, with its own set of Bond Girls. That has helped the role of Bond be passed throughout the years, but Daniel Craig's time as 007 tried something new. Starting with Casino Royale, each of Craig's Bond flicks have move the 007 forward, with characters reappearing and interconnecting plots. James' actions are informed by his past, with audiences able to get a deeper look into his psyche than ever before.

No Time to Die should be no exception, featuring a ton of returning players. In addition to Ben Whishaw's Q, recurring MI6 characters Moneypenny and M are set to appear. Jeffrey Wright will also reprise his role as Felix after being absent for the last few movies. Spectre's Dr. Madeleine Swann and Blofeld will also have major roles, played by Léa Seydoux and Christoph Waltz respectively. The stakes are high, and it'll be fascinating to see how director Cary Joji Fukunaga sends Daniel Craig out.

All of our questions will be answered when No Time to Die hits theaters on April 10th. In the meantime, check out our 2020 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.

By the time No Time To Die, the film previously known to the world solely as Bond 25, hits the world, it will almost have been 5 years since James Bond’s last adventure hit theaters. With a lot riding on what could be Daniel Craig’s final adventure as the famed superspy, there’s a lot of information that’s still hidden for a film that’s going to be released in the near future.

While some details are concealed under No Time To Die’s veil of secrecy, we also do know a bit about this mysterious film that hasn’t dropped a trailer just yet. And, looking at all of that information at once shows us where our gaps in knowledge may be leading in the long run. As we put together the pieces that are out there, here’s what we know so far about No Time To Die.

When Is No Time To Die Being Released?

Atypical to the traditional model of releasing a James Bond movie in November, No Time To Die will be released in theaters on April 10, 2020. Originally, the film was slated for release on November 8, 2019, but a production delay then pushed No Time To Die to a tentative February 14, 2020 release date. One more delay was implemented, putting the film in its current release slot, though it still wouldn’t be surprising if someone decided to push the film to a November release, in the name of tradition and post-production.

What Will No Time To Die Be Rated?

There’s no way to tell how No Time To Die will be rated at this moment, but it’s a pretty easy guess to make. With the Bond series being historically a PG-13 rated affair, it looks like the 25th film in the series will carry the rating that’s been the franchise’s bread and butter since 1989’s License To Kill.

What Will Be The Story Of No Time To Die?

Per the official announcement of production starting on No Time To Die, the story of the film was laid out in the following synopsis:

While we don’t know it for sure, Bond’s retirement at the end of Spectre, with Dr. Madeleine Swann by his side, may yield some more personal stakes that haven’t been revealed just yet. Let’s just say the series has been playing around with the On Her Majesty’s Secret Service influences to a point where James may see his most devastating loss since Vesper Lynd’s death.

Will Blofeld Return In No Time To Die?

One of the biggest mysteries about No Time To Die has been whether or not Christoph Waltz’s arch-nemesis to James Bond, Ernst Stavro Blofeld, will be returning for this new James Bond adventure. There’s been no official confirmation as to whether Blofeld will factor into this new film or not, but not only have rumors persisted that Waltz was spotted on set filming some content, even director Cary Joji Fukunaga has stated that there was potentially room for his comeback. That said, we really don’t know at this point, but will probably find out some time before No Time To Die is released.

The Director (Cary Joji Fukunaga)

Originally, Yesterday mastermind and British film icon Danny Boyle was to direct No Time To Die. But, creative differences led to his departure, and eventually director Cary Joji Fukunaga took over the directing duties. Previously known for directing films like Sin Nombre and Beasts of No Nation, as well as the TV series Maniac, Fukunaga has a taste for seriously offbeat stories that allow the viewer to unfold the mysteries at the center along with the characters on screen. Pair that with Cary Joji Fukunaga’s eye for action, as seen in the first season of HBO’s True Detective, and you’ve got a pretty impressive mix of talents that could serve this story exceedingly well.

James Bond (Daniel Craig)

The legendary superspy created by Ian Fleming through his initial series of books, James Bond has been the subject of 25 films, with six actors playing the role throughout. The most recent actor in the role is Daniel Craig, who since 2006’s Casino Royale has been the cinematic face of 007 in the past four films. No Time To Die is allegedly his final outing in the role, though there’s yet to be total confirmation that this assumption is correct.

Dr. Madeleine Swann (Léa Seydoux)

First seen in 2015’s Spectre, Dr. Madeleine Swann was the daughter of Quantum/Spectre agent Mr. White, and the companion that accompanied Craig’s Bond throughout that previous adventure. At the end of the film, after Bond saved Dr. Swann from the clutches of the villainous Blofeld, the two rode off into the metaphorical sunset with Bond retiring from active service. Her return in No Time To Die raises some questions, especially since franchise history has proven fatal to the women 007 tries to keep in his life after blissful retirement.

M (Ralph Fiennes)

Formerly the chairman of the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament, Ralph Fiennes’ Gareth Mallory was promoted to the post of M at MI6 after the untimely death of Dame Judi Dench’s version of the character in Skyfall. Returning for a second outing as the head of the British clandestine services, No Time To Die sees the infrastructure of James Bond’s support network remaining pretty intact.

Eve Moneypenny (Naomie Harris)

Also returning to the MI6 cast of characters is Eve, better known as Moneypenny in Spectre, played by Naomie Harris. Traditionally a foil who adds a bit of office-bound flirtation to James Bond’s life, her evolution through the last two films has seen her go from a mere secretary to a vital piece in Bond’s intelligence gathering efforts. Just don’t expect the two of them to ever get too close at the office.

Q (Ben Whishaw)

If M gives Bond guidance, and Moneypenny helps gather intel, then Ben Whishaw’s Q is the person to go to for the right tools of the trade. The gadget master of MI6, Whishaw will be reprising the role he originated as part of the rebooted James Bond franchise in No Time To Die. Much like Naomie Harris’ Moneypenny, Q has been a part of the Bond dream team since 2012’s Skyfall, providing a younger depiction of the, formerly, much older character.

Bill Tanner (Rory Kinnear)

As one of the people who has always stood at the side of MI6’s head honcho, Bill Tanner has been the chief of staff for M in several films reaching back to 1974’s The Man With The Golden Gun. Rory Kinnear’s reprisal of this role in No Time To Die not only sees him continue to maintain his position between two different people heading up MI6, but also makes him the longest recurring actor in the role as he’s played Tanner through all but one of Daniel Craig’s films in the series.

Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright)

Another classic fixture of the 007 mythos, CIA agent Felix Leiter has been counted on as one of James’ most trusted allies when the chips are truly and firmly down. Played by Westworld’s Jeffrey Wright, the character did have a moment where he returned for the franchise’s more modern reboot in 2006’s Casino Royale, as well as 2008’s Quantum of Solace. No Time To Die sees James Bond’s “brother from Langley” returning to bring the legendary character back to life, and Bond back to Her Majesty’s Secret Service, after being absent in the last two 007 adventures.

Nomi/007 (Lashana Lynch)

With James Bond retiring from his 007 callsign in Spectre’s finale, someone had to take the legendary label forward into the future. Enter Nomi, a new intelligence agent played by Captain Marvel’s Lashana Lynch. The latest recipient of the 007 number, she will become one of MI6’s elite operatives that ensure world security, and while she’ll certainly have fun interacting with Bond when No Time To Die calls for the two to team up, she’ll be more immune to his charms than most.

Paloma (Ana de Armas)

It’s uncertain if Ana de Armas’ Paloma will be the kidnapped scientist that Daniel Craig’s James Bond will have to rescue in No Time To Die, or if she’ll play another character in the film’s ultimate plot. However, it wouldn’t be that much of a surprise if the Knives Out and Blade Runner 2049 actor would play a secondary villain that could try to kick Bond’s ass across Europe as he investigates the central villainy at hand.

Waldo (David Dencik)

We’re similarly unsure if the character simply known as Waldo will be a force for good or evil in No Time To Die. However, what we do know is that the role will be played by Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and Chernobyl actor David Dencik. Knowing the actor’s range through such works, no matter which side of the coin he falls onto, it’s going to be fantastic to see Dencik interacting with the rest of the No Time To Die cast in either context.

The Villain (Rami Malek)

Last, but not least, Academy Award winner Rami Malek has been cast as No Time To Die’s enigmatic villain. While we don’t have any deeper details as to what he’ll be doing as this film’s antagonist, his casting was one of the most hotly anticipated announcements, as the powers that be really wanted Malek as James Bond’s latest nemesis. With certain conditions surrounding the role met, Rami Malek was brought on board rather quickly, allowing him to antagonize Daniel Craig for what could be his final 007 adventure.

Will No Time To Die Be Daniel Craig’s Final James Bond Movie?

It’s widely been speculated, and pretty much accepted, that Daniel Craig’s time as James Bond would come to an end after he has completed No Time To Die. Not only is this film supposed to wrap up the story started in Skyfall, but, allegedly, getting Craig back for the 25th Bond film was a challenge in and of itself, so it feels like it could be the end.

That being said, there have been recent rumors and interpretations of remarks from Craig, and other key players in the 007 franchise, that suggest there could be at least one more film in the actor’s future. While this is mere speculation, the fact that No Time To Die has three different endings rumored to have been filmed for its finale, lead to the possibility that Daniel Craig might still be deciding what his fate with the franchise will be, meaning that there’s enough leeway for him to take his time to decide.

We’ll have to wait until next April to see what No Time To Die has in store for its audience. In the meantime, you can bookmark this handy guide, and check back often to see what new developments have occurred. And, if you’re interested in seeing what the competition looks like for the film, head over to our 2020 release schedule and see what other films are looking to make April 2020 a blockbuster affair.

Cary Fukunaga has barely gotten started on Bond 25 and he's already shaking and stirring The Rumor Mill. The director recently addressed reports -- in one instance, from one of the actors -- that Christoph Waltz's Blofeld and Ben Whishaw's Q would not be returning for the 2020 film.

Cary Fukunaga's response came during a Philippine Daily Inquirer profile. The answer to his question on the Blofeld rumor is Christoph Waltz himself. Last year, the Spectre star told an Italian movie news site that he would not be in Bond 25. It's not a lost-in-translation issue either, because you can see Waltz answer in English in a red carpet video.

Granted, Christoph Waltz said that a year ago, and a lot has changed since then. Director Danny Boyle left Bond 25 as director, and Cary Fukunaga was hired to take over. It's not clear yet how many changes will be coming with that, but Fukunaga did just say that they weren't even finished with the new script.

Back in May, Ben Whishaw -- who has played Q since Skyfall -- told The Hollywood Reporter he was contracted to be in the next film, but that was as much as he knew. At that time, Danny Boyle was still attached. Since Cary Fukunaga and company are now reworking the script, it's not clear who will land where.

It's at least safe to say Daniel Craig will be back as James Bond, for what is expected to be his final 007 film after Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, and Spectre. Other than that? Cary Fukunaga gave the Philippine news site more information on his vision:

Props to him for that Road to Perdition shout-out. I might make an argument for Paul Newman, but my arm could easily be twisted toward Daniel Craig. Anyway, Bond 25 is meant to start production in March 2019 for its current February 14, 2020 release date. It was initially scheduled to begin production right about now for an October 2019 release date, but that was pushed back after Danny Boyle left.

Now we'll just have to wait and see who gets Bond's Valentine's Day 2020 love, once the script for the untitled Bond 25 is complete. Here's what's still ahead at theaters in the rest of 2018, plus the many films ahead in 2019.

The years following the last James Bond movie Spectre have been filled with speculation and uncertainty for fans of the franchise. Those awaiting the next 007 adventure were met with uncertainty. Director Sam Mendes departed the project, followed by speculation that star Daniel Craig was leaving the role behind. A few months ago, things began to stabilize as Danny Boyle confirmed he was on board to direct Bond 25, thus indicating that this movie is slowly but surely coming together. We know that Daniel Craig will once again be playing the super spy, but the rest of the cast is a mystery. One actor who expects to be back for the film is Ben Whishaw, who plays the current incarnation of Q in the franchise. The actor spoke about returning, saying:

So it sounds like if the script calls for Q to be in Bond 25, Ben Whishaw will be there. But just like most of us, Ben Whishaw currently knows nothing about Bond 25 or whether or not Q will be in the film. As one of the recurring characters throughout the Bond franchise, it stands to reason that Q will show up in the next movie. Although he may be contractually obligated to do so, Ben Whishaw also sounds interested in returning for the next chapter of 007. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the voice of Paddington seems excited about the possibility of working with Danny Boyle and seeing what the collaboration between Trainspotting director and Daniel Craig produces.

Ben Whishaw's Q was first introduced in the Daniel Craig Bond 2012 film Skyfall, as a much younger Quartermaster than the previous iterations of the character portrayed by Peter Burton, Desmond Llewelyn and John Cleese. Since he was signed on for 3 plus films, I imagine that we'll be seeing Q when Bond 25 hits theaters next year. Ben Whishaw isn't the only one waiting to see whether he will be in the film either, Moneypenny actress Naomie Harris is also unsure if her character will be back. This may be the last film in the Daniel Craig continuity, so it would be great to see all of those quintessential Bond figures present to go out with a bang. Besides, where is 007 going to get all of his cool gadgets from, if not from Q?

The story for the next Bond film is being formulated by Danny Boyle and his writing partner John Hodge, with Hodge writing the script. Once that is finished the actors should have greater clarity about the future of their characters. Bond 25 is scheduled to being shooting at the end of the year with the intended release date of November 8, 2019. You'll be able to see Ben Whishaw just a bit sooner than that as he will be in Disney's upcoming reboot-quel, Mary Poppins Returns, in theaters this Christmas.

The first month of 2017 has been quite a ride for Doctor Who fans, and the past few days have not only told us when we can finally expect to see Peter Capaldi return as the Twelfth Doctor, but also that Peter Capaldi would not be returning as the Twelfth Doctor after Season 10. And even though it's still ridiculously early, the Time Lord isn't worried about such things, there is apparently already a frontrunner in the odds of who will lead Doctor Who through Season 11 and beyond: actor Ben Whishaw, perhaps better known as James Bond's most recent Q.

Ben Whishaw's name isn't one that came from the mouths of current Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat, nor its future showrunner, nor the BBC. Rather, it's the British bookies William Hill and their odds-making that have placed the English actor atop the heap, with a 6/1 shot of him taking over the TARDIS as Peter Capaldi's successor. Sounds silly, perhaps, but William Hill can offer some pretty insightful data at times.

The list is indeed filled with names of popular British actors, according to Bleeding Cool, but Ben Whishaw pulled it out, and he would definitely make for an interesting choice. At 37 years old, he would definitely be a younger Doctor than the 58-year-old Peter Capaldi, and the character's age had been a source of reported contention behind the scenes of Doctor Who in the weeks and months of speculation over Capaldi's future with the long-running series.

And Ben Whishaw has all the requirements needed to take on such an iconic British role, at least in terms of acting. As stated before, he's in the James Bond universe with Skyfall and Spectre, and he's also played Keith Richards, King Richard II, and voiced Paddington. Not to mention his work in the Shakespeare adaptation The Tempest, Brideshead Revisited and an upcoming role in Mary Poppins Returns. Throw in Doctor Who and a Harry Potter role, and Whishaw can retire early. (That's how retirement works, right?)

Though he's a solid choice as a frontrunner for the Thirteenth Doctor, Ben Whishaw is atop lots of other really talented people also with decent odds of heading up Doctor Who for Season 11. Just under Whishaw, with 8/1 odds, are the stellar trio of IT Crowd's Richard Ayoade, Penny Dreadful's Rory Kinnear and Harry Potter's Rupert Grint. The Exorcist's Ben Daniels and X-Men: First Class' Jason Flyming are next up, and the list even accounts for returns of Matt Smith, Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant, along with fan-favorite actors like Idris Elba and Daniel Craig. All of those later folks have far higher odds stacked against them, though.

Announced earlier today, Doctor Who will return to BBC America on Saturday, April 15, and we probably won't hear anything concrete about the next Time Lord until long after that, though the new Doctor will reportedly appear via regeneration in this year's Christmas special. Head to our midseason premiere schedule to see everything else coming to the small screen in the coming months.

Disney has had some incredible success in recent years creating new versions of and sequels for their old classics - so it's no surprise that they're investing plenty of money in the cast of one of their most anticipated upcoming projects. Mary Poppins Returns, which is set up to be a sequel to the beloved film from s1964, has been working its way through pre-production, and in the process collecting one hell of an ensemble to put in front of the camera.

Director Rob Marshall has been orchestrating things behind the scenes for Mary Poppins Returns, and with Variety dropping the news today that yet another incredibly talented actor has signed on, we figured now is the perfect time to take a closer look at the team that the production has assembled.

First on the docket is the wonderful Emily Blunt, who audiences will be able to see back on the big screen this weekend in The Girl On The Train (for which her performance is earning incredible reviews). In a piece of what can only be described as perfect casting, Blunt has been selected as the actor who will be playing the legendary titular role of Mary Poppins. Considering that Julie Andrews created an iconic take on the character back in the 1960s, she has some pretty big shoes to fill, but it's hard not to think of her as being up for the task.

Next up we have the fast rising star Lin-Manuel Miranda - whose presence makes us even more excited about the fact that Mary Poppins Returns is going to be a musical. The famed Hamilton creator/star will be playing an original character in the sequel, specifically a street lamplighter named Jack. It's hard not to think about that role and think about connections to Dick Van Dyke's Bert the chimney sweep, but we'll just have to wait and see the film to see if comparisons are justified.

Reteaming with Emily Blunt for the third time after The Devil Wears Prada and Into The Woods, Meryl Streep also has a key role in Mary Poppins Returns - and it doesn't look like she'll be playing the villain this time around. Instead, trade reports have said that she will actually be playing a relative of the eponymous character, specifically a cousin.

To get back to characters from the original Mary Poppins, the upcoming sequel will give us a look at the adults that the young Michael and Jane Banks have turned into - and the former will be played by Ben Whishaw (who came aboard the movie about a month ago). It currently remains unclear exactly what has happened in the years been the two stories, or exactly what kind of life Michael has been living since his days with a magical nanny in his youth.

Finally we have arrived at Emily Mortimer, who is the latest actor to join the impressive ensemble. Pairing up with Ben Whishaw, Mortimer will be playing the adult version of Jane Banks in Mary Poppins Returns, the character originally played by Karen Dotrice. Like Jane's brother, we don't know exactly what she's been up to in the 25 years between the original and the sequel, but we are excited to find out.

Obviously Mary Poppins Returns is turning into a very high-profile project, so you can be sure that we will have more updates for you about it as they roll in. Production is likely going to start before the end of the year, with Disney having set a December 25, 2018 release date.

Ben Whishaw is no stranger to family films, what with his role as the titular bear in Paddington managing to be a surprise hit at last year's box office. However, if Whishaw's latest prospect comes through, he'll have another legendary franchise of British children's literature under his belt. Brace yourselves, as Michael Banks is all grown up, and he might end up looking a lot like Ben Whishaw.

Variety reported Whishaw as in talks to take the role of one of the two children Mary Poppins helped nurture as children. The events of Mary Poppins Returns would see Mary returning to Michael, and his sister Jane, "following a personal loss." One could presume that the nature of that loss is the death of their father, but whatever occasion, Mary will be bringing some new characters into the mix, including her cousin, Topsy Poppins, and a lamplighter named Jack. Those roles are played by Meryl Streep and Lin-Manuel Miranda, respectively. Mary Poppins herself is, of course, being played by Emily Blunt.

Casting Whishaw would certainly be a casting coup, as the young actor has been making quite a name for himself over the past couple of years. In addition to his role in Paddington, which should start production on its sequel this fall, he is also the most recent incarnation of Q in the James Bond series. So Ben Whishaw is no stranger to well-respected ensemble casts, nor is he a fish out of water when it comes to inhabiting a classic character with an extensive background.

However, this film is a particularly pressured project, as it does happen to be the follow up to one of the most iconic family films of the 20th century. With that pressure in play, high expectations will be set for Ben Whishaw, as well as his cast members. These tensions may ease if further rumors involving a possible cameo by Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke turn out to be true. With the original pair of magical merrymakers helping shepherd the next generation through their bold endeavor to make Mary Poppins Returns as memorable and as fun as the original Mary Poppins was.

Mary Poppins Returns hopes to be practically perfect in every way, when it hits theaters on December 25, 2018.

Biopics centering on the lives of famous musicians are nothing new. Movies like Ray and Walk the Line turned them into easy Oscar bait, while this summer’s Straight Outta Compton proved that they could still carry a powerful emotional punch when done correctly. One such biopic that has spent years in development hell is a film centering on the life of iconic Queen front man Freddie Mercury. Just when we thought the project had bit the dust – let us have that joke – it now seems that it has found new life.

Collider reports that the biopic has finally nailed down a writer in the form of Anthony McCarten. McCarten is arguably best known for his recent work on The Theory of Everything. In addition to McCarten’s involvement, Collider has also revealed that the current front runner to portray the iconic rock and roll front man is none other than Ben Whishaw, who is perhaps best known for his portrayal of Q in the two most recent James Bond films, Skyfall and Spectre.

Many of the problems that arose during initial development of the project stemmed from the film’s original leading actor: Sacha Baron Cohen. The infamous comedian fought tooth and nail to ensure that the project received an R-rating, leading to numerous creative differences with other members of the creative team. Cohen’s departure effectively had killed the project – until now.

Ben Whishaw getting the role of Freddie Mercury would be a monumental moment not only for the film itself, but also for the LGBT community at large. Unlike previous Freddie Mercury frontrunner Sacha Baron Cohen, Whishaw is an openly gay man – just like Mercury himself. There has been a great deal of controversy in recent years regarding the notion of heterosexual actors being "brave" by taking on certain controversial LGBT roles. An example of this would be 2013’s Dallas Buyers Club, in which heterosexual actor Jared Leto won an Oscar for taking on the role of a transgendered individual. Whishaw portraying Mercury would make a statement that there’s a place for both LGBT actors and characters in today’s cinematic landscape.

Despite the apparent progress, the project still has quite a ways to go before we can even think about seeing it on the silver screen. McCarten has just been hired to pen the script, and Ben Whishaw has not officially been signed to the movie yet. Even still, this news serves to keep hope alive that we may still get to see a biopic chronicling not only the life of an LGBT icon, but also one of the best singers ever to come out of the rock and role genre. We will keep you updated on the project as more information becomes available.

The James Bond movie franchise is now more than 50 years old, but age is in no way slowing it down. The great spy series is as popular as it ever was, and anticipation for espionage adventure is at an extreme high thanks to the forthcoming release of Spectre. The brilliant and daring 007 is ready to go toe-to-toe with his greatest nemeses, and we’re excited for every moment.

You can get a taste of what to expect with the final trailer embedded below:

So what is the new James Bond movie about? Who is making it? What are returning characters up to, and what can we expect from the series’ new faces? We’ve broken all of that down in our What We Know So Far guide below!

The Story

MGM, Eon Productions and Sony seem to have a lot of confidence in the work of John Logan, Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, as they have brought them back for another round of James Bond storytelling (the second for Logan, and the sixth for the team of Purvis and Wade). The movie will begin with a big action sequence set during the Day of the Dead in Mexico City, but it will see things go seriously rough for Daniel Craig’s 007. It’s after this incident that he receives a cryptic message from a former associate that puts him on the path of a sinister organization: Spectre. We once again are in store for another globe-trotting adventure, as various clues and action sequences will take Bond to places like Austria, Italy and Morocco.

The Director

There's a long tradition of filmmakers taking the helm of more than one James Bond movie (a total of 12 directors have helmed the previous 23 installments), and Sam Mendes will be a part of that tradition with Spectre. With Skyfall, the man crafted one of the most beautiful and well-executed action movies of recent memory, so it was a surprise to very few that producers Barbra Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson reached out to him. It wasn’t a total slam dunk that he would return just a few months after his last 007 film’s release, but he’s been officially at the helm since July 2013

James Bond

Daniel Craig has now been playing James Bond for nearly a decade, and in that time we’ve seen the character go from first getting his 007 status to becoming a weathered and tired veteran. The events of Skyfall nearly pushed him to his end, but nobody ever expects the great super spy to ever give up his job protecting queen and country. Given the way things go in Mexico City, and what we’ve seen in footage, it doesn’t sound like the film will feature him having the greatest relationship with MI6, but that certainly won’t stop Bond from trying to protect it and the entire world. And while many have continued to wonder who could potentially replace Craig as the next incarnation of the hero, it doesn’t look like Spectre will be his last go-round, as he still has one more feature left on his studio contract.

Franz Oberhauser

We have been kept very much in the dark when it comes to details about Christoph Waltz’s role as Franz Oberhauser in Spectre, but as far as we can tell, he definitely isn’t Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Footage that we’ve seen and comments made from people involved with the production have suggested that the guy is the head of the movie’s titular evil organization, and apparently he has deep ties to James Bond’s past (describing himself as the author of all the hero’s pain). It also seems that he’s been lurking around in the shadows for as long as we’ve known Daniel Craig’s version of 007, but has kept hidden from site and just out of reach. As a result of this, we’re just fascinated to learn what his ultimate plan is for the super spy.

M

Skyfall saw the end come to a particular era, as Judi Dench concluded her time as M after a seven film and 17 year-long run. The end of the film also saw the esteemed mantle – representing the head of MI6 - passed on to Ralph Fiennes’ Gareth Mallory, who will now be in charge of sending Daniel Craig’s James Bond around the world to stop terror. Unfortunately, things kind of get off to a rocky start in Spectre. Not only does Bond wind up going rogue and orchestrate some kind of international incident in Mexico City, but M must also battle political forces that are working to try and close the espionage agency’s doors forever.

Eve Moneypenny

The name of Naomi Harris’ character was kept a mystery for most of Skyfall, but it was in the movie’s final moments that it was revealed that she actually plays a very key role in the history of the James Bond franchise. A part originated by actress Lois Maxwell – who starred in 15 different Bond movies during her career – Eve Moneypenny was first introduced as 007’s personal assistant, but you should expect her just to be sitting behind a desk in Spectre. Discussing the character during the production earlier this year, producer Barbara Broccoli described, "This Moneypenny is very active. She is key to the story and key to helping Bond on his mission." We’re still waiting on the "how," but that’s probably something that we won’t learn until we’re actually watching the movie.

Q

Daniel Craig’s James Bond went through two full movies without having anyone committed to outfitting him with awesome gadgets, but fortunately that’s a problem that was fixed in Sam Mendes’ Skyfall. Actor Ben Whishaw brought back the role classically played by the great Desmond Llewelyn, and he’ll be back to his old tricks in Spectre. Thus far, trailers have only revealed one new toy that 007 will get to play with – a super sleek new car – but we fully expect that the film will have plenty of surprises in store for that department. I personally have my fingers crossed for at least one thing that comes out of the super spy’s watch.

Mr. Hinx

James Bond has faced off with many notable villains over the years, but one could make the argument that some of the evil henchmen he’s gone toe-to-toe with are even more memorable. In the tradition of characters like Richard Kiel’s Jaws and Harold Sakata’s Oddjob, Spectre will introduce audiences to Dave Bautista’s Mr. Hinx. The actor has described his role being a mix of both brains and brawn, and footage from trailers have suggested that he will be a very capable adversary for Bond. The only thing we don’t really know at this point is exactly what his special kind of hook will be. He doesn’t have metal teeth, and throwing that hat probably wouldn’t be very effective, so what could it be?

Madeleine Swann

When it comes to Lea Seydoux’s character in Spectre, we know she is named Madeleine Swann, we know that she’s a doctor… and that’s pretty much it. Trailers have suggested that she has information that James Bond needs about the eponymous terrorist organization, but what hasn’t been made immediately clear is whether she is playing for the good guys, playing for the bad guys, or pretending to play for the good guys while playing for the bad guys, or vice versa. Either way, the actress is another member of this cast joining an incredible legacy – specifically the legacy of "Bond Girls" – and it’s a place in cinema history she will share with…

Lucia Sciarra

Monica Bellucci will be joining Lea Seydoux as Spectre’s second Bond Girl, Lucia Sciarra, but one could say that we actually know even less about her role. Every image we’ve seen of her, including the one above, shows her as a woman grieving the death of her husband – though the cast and filmmakers also haven’t been subtle about the idea of her being just a tad bit mysterious and holding on to one or two secrets. How will she wind up fitting into the film’s larger plot? That seems to be a card that the production is playing close to the chest, and won’t have an answer until early November.

Mr. White

After being established as a recurring villain, featured in both Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, Jesper Christensen’s Mr. White took a hiatus while the events of Skyfall played out – but the shady bad guy is back in action in Spectre. When we last saw him, he was escaping from James Bond after being captured and thrown in the trunk of a car – but from everything we’ve seen, it doesn’t look like he held on to freedom for very long. Footage and stills have suggested that the past few years have been super rough for him, and Bond probably had a pretty key hand in making sure of that (White was, after all, directly involved in the death of Eva Green’s Vesper Lynd). We can presume that he has very strong ties to the goings on at Spectre, and should be a pretty rich source of information for 007, provided that he cooperates.

The Theme Song

During his run as James Bond, Daniel Craig has been backed by some truly impressive singers and musicians performing the new theme song, as Chris Cornell, Jack White, Alicia Keys and Adele all brought special little touches to their incarnations. Given the prestigious honor for Spectre is British crooner Sam Smith, who also wrote and produced the song alongside Jimmy Napes. You can give it a listen in the embed below:

The song has been criticized for being slow and lifeless, but at the very least we can hope that it will A) wind up being better in the context of the movie, and B) be backed by a sleek, cool opening credits sequence.

That’s all we know about Spectre so far, but stay turned for more updates to this guide, and get ready for the next amazing James Bond adventure to hit theaters on November 6th.

2015 began with two big surprises when it came to the box office: Mortdecai was even more of a disaster than everyone thought it would be, and Paddington managed to be an amazing success that no one could have predicted. While the former is trying its hand at remaining relevant with a PG-13 rated cut on VOD, the latter is looking to get into even more family-friendly mischief with a sequel. While we thought Paddington 2 would be a while off, it looks like Ben Whishaw seems to think production could begin real soon.

How soon? Well, according to The Hollywood Reporter's conversation with Whishaw, it sounds like Paddington 2 is gearing up for a production start date at some point next year. Of course, this information is far from confirmed, as the actor was quick to add the caveat that, "It’s just whispers at the moment, nothing has been confirmed." Whispers are a pretty good step in the right direction, and considering all of the factors involved, this isn't too much of a surprise.

Confirmed or not, this news is pretty awesome considering director and co-writer Paul King has previously said that he'd love to make another Paddington film out of the extensive background of source material there is to work with. With Studio Canal celebrating the film's recently found status as its highest grossing film, the company is obviously happy with the film's performance, and is eager to follow up with another blockbusting hit as soon as possible.

The only piece of the puzzle that makes us question if such a quick start date is a good idea is, of course, the story. It took a while to crack the story and align the stars for the first Paddington film, and one would think that everyone's favorite British bear is a hot enough property to warrant a sequel but an evergreen enough prospect that a delay in production wouldn't kill it entirely. The box office moves at a breakneck pace, but let's face it: Paddington isn't a tween literature sensation that has an exponentially decreasing shelf life.

A successful film like Paddington feels like lightning in a bottle, so naturally Studio Canal is going to want to see if they can capture that magic again as soon as possible. A 2016 start date, while unconfirmed, is definitely something to talk about when it comes to the future of Paddington Bear. It feels like the children's icon is finally getting his due, and to screw that up with a rushed sequel is something that should be avoided at all costs. Still, we can't help but be excited that the wait for the continuing adventures of the Brown family, Aunt Lucy, and Mr. Curry – as well as Paddington himself – might be much shorter than we thought.

Paddington is now available on Blu Ray, DVD, and Digital HD. If you haven't seen it already, now's as good at time as any.

When I sit on the edge of my son’s bed and read him Paddington bear books, the two of us just love pausing on every swear word and subtle sex reference. That dirty bear! Such a foul mouth, with a mind that’s constantly in the gutter. Oh, Paddington. What shocking thing will come out of your raincoat next?!

OK, no one thinks that about Paddington, except maybe the filmmakers behind the strangely controversial Paddington film, due in theaters next year. The British Board of Film Classification has labeled the supposed family affair with a PG classification, stating it includes "dangerous behaviour, mild threat, innuendo, [and] infrequent mild bad language." As if that wasn’t enough, the Daily Mail adds that the BBFC found "mild sex references" in the movie, leading to the Parental Guidance rating.

Paddington author Michael Bond, 88, has a cameo in the film. He spoke with the Daily Mail about this rating, and stated:

Just… what? What kind of movie is this? The Paddington movie has been shellshocked by a number of controversies leading up to this release. There was the viral meme that turned Paddington from a gentle bear into a horror-movie stalker.

And then there was the surprising reveal that Oscar winner Colin Firth had departed the project because the bear "simply doesn’t have my voice." Meaning Firth didn’t want to work blue. Ben Whishaw had no problems with it, apparently, so he took over and filled Paddington with all of the filthy jokes he could muster.

Maybe we are missing something? Are there jokes in this trailer that stand out? Or is this a mistake by the ratings board?

See for yourself when Paddington opens in theaters on January 16. But leave the kids at home, first. To protect their virgin eyes and ears.

Promotions for the upcoming family comedy Paddington have hit a few snags. First came a trailer that came off more creepy than cute. Then esteemed British leading man Colin Firth bailed from providing the voice of the adored bear from Michael Bond's children's books. But things have been looking up with the crush-inducing Ben Whishaw stepping in, and more recent trailers proving more charming. On this upswing, Studio Canal has unveiled an artistic approach to movie promotion, unveiling a series of Paddington Bear statues that will be placed throughout London.

The Paddington Trail will exhibit these bears from November 4th to December 30th. While most of the sculpts of these Paddington statues are identical, each has been issued a custom-paint job, some at the hands of celebs. We've selected our favorites below.

Harry Potter star Emma Watson has spread her wings as an actress and activist. So it's fitting that her statue "Flutterby" is adored with vibrant portraits of butterflies.

Scottish actor Peter Capaldi paid homage to his latest gig, painting Paddington in Doctor Who regalia.

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch followed suit, patterning Paddington after his most iconic character to date.

For more designs, including an incredible Downton Abbey bear, click on! Television personality and survivalist Bear Grylls pulled from his own life, making Paddington a "Chief Scout Bear."

English chat show host Jonathan Ross imagined a Paddington of the future, making him a robot with a wild sense of fashion.

Downton Abbey star Hugh Bonneville took the time to pose with his painted Paddington, named "The Journey of Marmalade." Memorably, the orange jam is among the beloved bear's favorite treats. So this orange-covered coat is a lovely tribute.

Broadway legend Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber gave his Paddington a makeover inspired by his hit musical Cats, plus the cheeky name "Paddington Lloyd Webbear."

Lastly, new voice of Paddington Ben Whishaw literally breaks the mold with his "Special Delivery" which shows the traditional icon rising out of a post bag.

You can see the full range of bears and where they can be found at Visit London.

When you’re making a movie that features one of the most important women of the last century or so, you don’t want to fill that role with an unproven actress, or worse, an actress who has proven herself to be lawbreaking garbage. For the role of world-renowned activist Emmeline Pankhurst, Ruby Film’s upcoming drama Suffragette won out by landing awards magnet Meryl Streep, who is one of three new cast members joining the film, along with The Guard’s Brendan Gleeson and Skyfall’s Ben Whishaw. Big feminism-driven dramas don’t always capture my attention, but this one sounds as good as it gets.

Suffragette stars Carey Mulligan as a woman named Maude, who is a worker bee in the growing feminism movement of the early 20th century. She turns radical and starts looking to violence as a way to further the cause. According to ScreenDaily, Streep’s involvement will be small but notable, as she will give a women’s rights speech during a political rally that gets everyone gung ho, as Pankhurst was known for pushing military tactics to protest gender inequality. Disappointingly, no descriptions are given for the characters Gleeson and Whishaw will be playing. Dare I say they’re the enemy in this female-fronted film?

This Pathe, Film4 and BFI production is the second narrative feature for director Sarah Gavron, who worked with Suffragette’s screenwriter Abi Morgan on her first film, Brick Lane. Morgan also penned the script for 2011’s The Iron Lady, for which Streep won the Best Actress award for her work as Margaret Thatcher, and she created the 2011 Cold War drama The Hour, which co-starred Whishaw. It’s always nice when great talents like these get the chance to reconnect on equally powerful projects.

Streep only made it to the screen once in 2013 for John Wells’ August: Osage County, but she made it count and received an Oscar nomination for playing an eccentric cancer-ridden matriarch. She’s already wrapped three films coming out this year: Tommy Lee Jones’ pioneer drama The Homesman, Rob Marshall’s musical adaptation of Into the Woods and Phillip Noyce’s adaptation of the young adult classic The Giver.

We’ll try not to think about Gleeson’s part in The Smurfs 2, and instead focus on the darkly comedic drama Calvary which made some fans at Sundance last month. He’ll next be seen in Brad Anderson’s asylum thriller Eliza Graves and Ron Howard’s waterbound drama Heart of the Sea, which will also star Whishaw as Herman Melville. Whishaw will next appear in Terry Gilliam’s The Zero Theorem and Christian Camargo’s Days and Nights, a dramatic update of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull.

Also starring Helena Bonham-Carter, Romola Garai, Anne-Marie Duff, Geoff Bell and Natalie Press, Suffragette will begin filming in the U.K. on Monday, February 24th, making this final bit of casting quite timely. Sounds like it would make a good double feature with Spice World, no?

Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos made a big splash in 2010 when his utterly bizarre feature Dogtooth was released and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Foreign Language Film Of The Year (ultimately losing out to Susanne Bier's In A Better World), but only now is the filmmaker ready to make his English-language debut. The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Lanthimos is now putting the pieces together for his latest movie, a strange-sounding project called The Lobster, and has lined up some big names to star, including Zero Dark Thirty‘s Jason Clarke, Skyfall‘s Ben Whishaw, and Blue Is The Warmest Color‘s Léa Seydoux.

Much like both Dogtooth and his last film, Alps, Lanthimos co-wrote the script for the new film with Efthymis Filippou, and while specific details about the plot and the characters aren't currently available, THR does makes note of its weird-yet-awesome sounding premise. The story is described as a romantic drama and will be set in a dystopian future where all single people must find a mate within 45 days. The consequence for failing to follow this societal law is that you get turned into an animal and sent into the woods. It will center on a man who is scheduled to be transformed but manages to escape. The trade sadly doesn't mention what characters the actors will be playing or how they fit into the plot, but I really only have one major question at this stage: where does the lobster come in?

Lanthimos' movies aren't exactly the most accessible titles out there, as its understandable that some people may be turned off by just how strange everything in his movies are, but if you're into that sort of thing his works are definitely worth a look. You can watch trailers for his two most recent films below.

Also set to appear in the movie, according to Deadline, will be Olivia Colman (Peep Show, Hot Fuzz), Ariane Labed (Before Midnight) and Angeliki Papoulia, who was in both Dogtooth and Alps. Production won't begin until March, so don't expect to see the finished product before the second half of next year - probably at the Toronto or Venice film festivals.

American audiences might recognize British actor Ben Whishaw as the impulsive romantic Robert Frobisher of Cloud Atlas or as Q from the James Bond thriller Skyfall, but to the members of Queen, he might just be the perfect performer to play Freddie Mercury. THR reveals Whishaw is at the top of the band's wishlist, something drummer Roger Taylor divulged on BBC One's One Show while doing press for the release of his latest solo album.

Taylor has been overseeing the project with guitarist Brian May for years at this point. The pair have been pretty hard to impress when it's come to casting. But asked who they were hoping might sign on, Taylor gave a hint that his initials were "B.W." Pressed on if this meant Ben Whishaw, Taylor admitted, "Well, we hope so."

Word of this biopic first surfaced in 2006, when Johnny Depp was rumored for the role of the iconic Queen frontman. Four years passed with no news on the Mercury biopic, then eyebrows were raised when Sacha Baron Cohen was attached to front the feature. While best known for his outlandish comedic turns in Borat and Bruno, this choice made some level of sense as Cohen does dive deeply into his roles and has shown singing skills in Sweeney Todd and Les Miserables. By the fall of 2012, the film penned by The Queen scribe Peter Morgan was said to be going into production the following spring, even though no director was yet on board. But spring came and went, and then with the summer came word that Cohen had exited the project over creative differences.

At the time, it was said that Queen's members were angling for a PG approach to the story of the rock god known for his incredible voice and sexy swagger, while Cohen wanted a grittier R-rated look into the gay star's life. But speaking to Classic Rock magazine May suggested the real issue was that Cohen is too big a star for the part, saying, "We thought there has to be no distraction in the Freddie movie. You have to really suspend that disbelief -- the man who plays Freddie, you have to really believe is Freddie. And we didn't feel that could really happen with Sacha."

While it bodes well for Whishaw that he has May and Taylor's backing, it's unclear how much closer the Freddie Mercury biopic is to actually getting made. One big step the untitled project still needs to take is nailing down a director. Back in 2012, The Queen's helmer Stephen Frears was being eyed for the gig. Then following the release of his movie adaptation of the Broadway sensation Les Miserables, Tom Hooper was reportedly offered the project, but no mention of either auteur is made in THR's latest report. In the meantime, let's revel in Mercury's legacy with this live performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Director Ron Howard lit the world on fire yesterday when it was announced he’d be reteaming with Tom Hanks on the Dan Brown adaptation Inferno, and while that project will probably overshadow everything else until it happens, let’s not forget that the next film he’ll be working on is the historical whaling epic In the Heart of the Sea. (I mean, how could you?) TheWrap reports the already stacked cast has possibly grown by two, as Frank Dillane (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) is in negotiations to star, and Howard has his sights set on Ben Whishaw (Skyfall) for a role in the film.

Not to overshadow Dillane, best remembered by Harry Potter> fans as Tom Riddle, but Whishaw is the bigger draw here, as he’s coming off of a fine turn as Q in last year’s Skyfall and as a handful of characters in the Wachowski’s Cloud Atlas. Howard wants him to play author Herman Melville, whose literary classic Moby Dick was in part inspired by the events detailed in the film’s source material, Nathaniel Philbrick’s 2001 historical chronicle In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex. I’m not sure how big a role Melville would have, considering the central conflict happened 30 years before his novel was published, but I’m sure Howard has some kind of a wraparound story for this film. But since this deal isn’t finalized yet, we won’t hang our hat on Whishaw’s presence.

Dillane, meanwhile, is set to play Coffin, an insubordinate crew hand and cousin to George Pollard (Benjamin Walker). With a large crew like this all set on a boat in the middle of the ocean, I really hope the characters are all fleshed out, and that Coffin isn’t just a crew hand by the time the film is finished. The role should give Dillane a boost though, since his only other film work since Harry Potter has been the recent British comedic drama Papadopoulos & Sons.

Whishaw, meanwhile, has been keeping busy with a role in Terry Gilliam’s upcoming sci-fi comedy drama Zero Theorem, as well as a starring role in Gimme the Loot director Hong Khaou’s next film Lilting. Perhaps he’ll reprise his role of Q in the next Bond movie. I mean, I’m sure if they ask, he’d take it.

In the Heart of the Sea tells the disastrous story of the whaleship Essex and its crew, all of whom were stranded for 90 days after a giant sperm whale crashed into their ship. And you can bet things got pretty rough, to say the least. The film also stars Chris Hemsworth, Cillian Murphy, Brendan Gleeson, Tom Holland and Sam Keeley.

The film is supposed to go into production right around the release of Howard’s next film, the NASCAR driver biopic Rush, which hits theaters on September 27, 2013.

We’re inching closer to the release of Sam Mendes’ Skyfall -- even closer if you happen to live in the UK, where the James Bond sequel opens on Friday, Oct. 26. And while we have been lucky enough to see the 007 thriller in advance, there are certain things we don’t want to reveal. Without dropping details, we can say that this series of Bond stories appear to take place at an early stage in the spy’s career, proven by the presence of a young, fresh-faced Q.

Cloud Atlas star Ben Whishaw steps into the shoes of the gadget-spewing lab rat, and he introduces an exclusive clip from Skyfall on Yahoo. The scene shows us Bond’s first meeting with his new quartermaster. See it for yourself:

The analogy discussed in the clip, of Bond being the “grand old warship being hauled away for scrap,” is a defining conversation in Skyfall. Merely two films after Craig was heralded as a younger, faster, flashier and more physical Bond, Mendes and his team already is wondering if the old agent shouldn’t be put out to pasture. There are multiple contradictions sprinkled throughout Skyfall about the old versus the new, with Whishaw’s high-tech Q being yet another reminder of the changing of the guard happening at MI6. Should Bond be swept out with the trash?

You’ll be able to decide when the 23rd James Bond adventure arrives in theaters on Nov. 6. In addition to Craig, the sequel stars Judi Dench, Javier Bardem, Naomie Harris and Ralph Fiennes.

Cloud Atlas, the massively ambitious adaptation of David Mitchell's novel from the directing trio of Andy and Lana Wachowski and Tom Tykwer, is set to premiere at the Toronto Film Festival in September. And while it's still kind of hard to wrap our minds around just how they're adapting such a complex story, Entertainment Weekly has snagged our first images of some of the actors in costume, and yes, you can tell just by these two images that things are getting strange. Check them out below and head to EW to see the full-size versions.

As you might guess by the fact that the massive cast includes a lot of actors not featured here, these images come from just two of the six intertwined stories, which take place over the course of a millennium and range from science-fiction adventures to the old-fashioned tale of an American merchant traveling the South Pacific in the 1800s. The image of Tom Hanks and Halle Berry you see comes from the story set furthest in the future, where Hanks's character is a man raised in a relatively primitive culture on the island that used to be Hawaii, and Berry plays one of the few remaining humans with knowledge from before the fall of civilization. The image of Jim Broadbent and Ben Whishaw, on the other hand, is from a story set in the 1920s, where Whishaw plays a young composer who becomes the apprentice of Broadbent's older genius. Berry is said to be playing the wife of Broadbent's character, who makes all three of their lives infinitely more complicated.

Yes, all of the actors in Cloud Atlas are playing multiple roles, so count on seeing all of the people here in different costumes eventually, along with fellow castmates Susan Sarandon, Hugo Weaving, Jim Sturgess, Hugh Grant and Keith David. In fact, EW says they'll have "dozens" more images later today, so stay tuned!

James Bond (Daniel Craig) will have yet another Q when Skyfall opens in theaters in November. British actor Ben Whishaw becomes the fourth actor to assume the role of 007’s Quartermaster, an expert in weapons technology and mechanical gizmos who equips Bond for each and every mission. We have our first shot of Whishaw in character, posted on 007.com.

It’s strange to realize that Craig hasn’t had a Q in his first two Bond efforts, though with Casino Royale being a reboot and Quantum of Solace picking up right where that first movie left off, Craig’s spy hasn’t had much of an opportunity to lounge around headquarters and be briefed on the latest inventions of the franchise’s mad scientist. “It’s a real thrill to confirm the return of Q in Skyfall,” producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said in a statement. “We are delighted to have this beloved character back in the series.”

As are we. Normally we’d be quick to argue that Whishaw’s has massive shoes to fill in Desmond Llewelyn, who played the character in 17 Bond films between 1963-1999. But John Cleese did an excellent job as Pierce Brosnan’s Q for The World is not Enough and Die Another Day, and now I’m getting accustomed to each new Bond getting a remade Q to follow along.

Whishaw will next be seen in the anticipated film adaptation of Cloud Atlas< with Tom Hanks and Halle Berry. His other film roles include Bright Star, The Tempest and Layer Cake … also with Craig. Skyfall<./i> is the 23rd James Bond film. It will be directed by Sam Mendes, and will be in theaters on Nov. 9.

A few weeks ago we received both a lot of great news about the new James Bond movie, but were also really kept in the dark on a lot of things. Holding a press conference in London, the production announced the title of the new movie, Skyfall, as well as its full cast, which includes Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardfem, Ben Whishaw, Naomi Harris, Albert Finney, and Ralph Fiennes. What we didn't get to hear much about, however, was what characters the newcomers to the franchise might be playing. Now one piece of that puzzle has been taken care of.

The BBC has learned that Whishaw will be playing the role of Q in Skyfall. A character that wasn't featured in either previous Craig film, which includes Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, in the James Bond universe he is known for equipping 007 with the latest and greatest technology to fight evil. Previously the character was played by Desmond Llewelyn and John Cleese, however, at the age of 31 Whishaw will easily be the youngest actor to play the role. This means that he will be younger than even Bond himself, as Daniel Craig is now 43. Directed by Sam Mendes, Skyfall is currently in production and is scheduled to be released on November 9, 2012.

I love hearing this news. For the longest time Naomi Harris was rumored to be playing Moneypenny, M's assistant, but that rumor was proven false at the aforementioned press conference. It's always great to see more of Ian Fleming's original characters in the film universe, but what do you think of Ben Whishaw playing the part? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.

BBC AMERICA just announced that it will up their presence on this side of the Atlantic by creating a new series devoted to the promotion of the best hour-long dramas that Britain has to offer... meaning, some promising new (and returning) shows for us to start watching.

The new series (or I guess series' bookmark) is called Dramaville and will be hosted by Golden Globe nominee and all around bad-ass Idris Elba. So every week, good old Idris will intro(and outro)duce the BBC series of the evening, the first of which happens on Wednesday, August 17, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. I guess it's kind of like Turner Classic Movies with Robert Osborne but focused on British TV dramas instead of golden age films.

Dramaville will initiate it's run by airing The Hour, a six part, conspiracy thriller set in the 1950s starring Dominic West and Ben Whishaw. After it's six episodes, Luther will step into the slot (meaning Elba will be introducing Elba... told you he was a bad-ass) to continue it's exploration of Elba's John Luther, a broken down cop battling personal demons.

Lastly, after the completion of that season of the gritty police drama, we get another gritty police drama, this time set in contemporary East London and set against the "shadow of Jack the Ripper and the infamous Kray Twins of the 1960s." I don't know what that means exactly (copycat killers?) but the show's called Whitechapel and it stars Rupert Penry-Jones and Phil Davis.

Dramaville debuts on BBC AMERICA August 17, 10:00 p.m. ET/PT with The Hour, followed by Luther on October 5 and Whitechapel November 2, 2011.