Acclaimed British actor Ben Whishaw has shared his thoughts on who should succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond, arguing the next incarnation of 007 should mark a dramatic departure from the recent era.
A Call for a Radical New 007
Speaking to Metro, the actor, who has played Q since 2012's Skyfall, admitted he is a 'terrible casting director' but emphasised the importance of a fresh direction for the iconic spy franchise. 'For me, it’s always best when they do a really big gear shift from the previous incarnation,' Whishaw stated. 'I think it shouldn’t try to be someone like Daniel Craig.'
With Dune director Denis Villeneuve set to helm the upcoming Bond film, speculation about the new lead is intense. Whishaw suggested the producers should seek something 'left field' and 'unexpected' for the role, though he did not name any specific candidates.
From Blockbuster to Arthouse: Whishaw's Bold New Role
Whishaw's own career is taking a sharp turn from the mainstream. Following his voice role in the family blockbuster Paddington in Peru, his latest project is the soulful independent film Peter Hujar's Day. Directed by Ira Sachs, the movie is a 76-minute dramatic monologue based on a real, recorded conversation between photographer Peter Hujar and writer Linda Rosenkrantz, played by Rebecca Hall.
The film, released in UK cinemas on January 6, 2026, presented a unique challenge. 'Everything that we were going to find was going to come from these words,' Whishaw explained. 'It’s not a script. It’s not been crafted in any way.' He described Hujar's thought process as 'rambling', requiring intense preparation to embody the real-life artist's vivid recounting of a single day.
Resonating with Failure and Artistic Struggle
The actor was deeply moved by the film's exploration of artistic failure and Hujar's impoverished life. 'He died practically penniless,' Whishaw revealed, noting the photographer's 'tatty jeans' and 'heartbreaking shoes'. He connected with Hujar's 'desire for fame' born from 'a real lack' and his devotion to his art despite scant recognition.
'What touched me was how much of [the movie] was about failure and self-doubt as an artist,' Whishaw reflected. 'The pain of having failed at what you’re trying to do, but also the value of failure to spur you on.' He believes this theme of reflecting on unmet ambitions resonates far beyond the artistic community.
This marks Whishaw's second collaboration with director Ira Sachs, whom he praises for his 'portraits of gay and queer life' and his ability to challenge actors. 'He is somebody who is not frightened of telling you: “I don’t believe you”, which is a really valuable thing,' said Whishaw, who has been acting for over 20 years.
Impact, Future Roles, and More Paddington
The star is acutely aware of the impact his roles have on audiences, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. He recalled a heartfelt encounter with a restaurant waiter who said Whishaw's portrayal of a gay contract killer in Black Doves helped him understand his own sexuality. 'It just means a great deal to me that you could share in something like that with someone,' he said.
Looking ahead, Whishaw confirmed more Paddington adventures are in the pipeline, humorously suggesting the bear should visit 'any place where a bear really shouldn’t be', like a dentist. He also expressed a desire to star in a classic detective mystery, akin to Gosford Park.
As the search for the next James Bond continues, Whishaw's advice is clear: embrace the unexpected and leave the Daniel Craig blueprint behind. For now, audiences can see his daring performance in Peter Hujar's Day, in cinemas across the UK.
