Ben Wishaw cast as Q in Skyfall

London - Ben Wishaw is to play Q in the new James Bond film.

The 31-year-old actor has been cast as the MI6 gadget master in Skyfall and, for the first time in the franchise's history, Q will be younger than 007, who will again be played by 43-year-old Daniel Craig.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Female fans will now have more than Daniel to gush over now Ben's been cast as Q. He'll be a big draw. It's a bold decision as it means Q will be younger than Bond for the first time.

John Cleese

"His role will be very different from previous Qs. He'll be far more serious, as is the trend with the new films."

Q last appeared in 2002's Die Another Day, with John Cleese in the role, after he took over from the late Desmond Llewelyn, who played the inventor for 36 years.

This is not the first time Ben has starred in a movie alongside Daniel Craig. In 2004, they appeared together in gangster movie Layer Cake.

Skyfall - which will be directed by Sam Mendes and is the 23rd Bond movie - is due for release in October 2012.