Ben Whishaw cast as Q in Bond film Skyfall

Skyfall, the latest instalment of the James Bond franchise, has cast Ben Whishaw as MI6 gadget master Q, according to various reports hitting the web today.

It will be the character's first appearance in the franchise since 2002's Die Another Day, where he was played by John Cleese.

Prior to that, Q was played by Desmond Llewelyn, who owned the role for an impressive 36 years.

Q is the character who supplies Bond with all of his nifty hi-tech gadgets and espionage equipment in the movies.

Traditionally, the actor playing Q has been older than James Bond, but that's set to change here (Whishaw's 31, Craig's 43).

Craig is appearing as 007 for the third time in Skyfall .

Ben Whishaw has already acted opposite Craig, in 2004 ganster Brit-flick Layer Cake.

And, not that we're saying we told you so or anything, but we did have our money on Whishaw playing Q:

Skyfall opens on 26 October 2012.