Gadget-loving James Bond fans have been given some good news - Q is back.
Producers confirmed the MI6 quartermaster and expert in high-tech trickery will return in the upcoming Bond film Skyfall.
EON productions said British actor Ben Whishaw would play the role made famous by the late Desmond Llewellyn, who played Q in 17 Bond films between 1963 and 1999.
John Cleese later played the character in two films during Pierce Brosnan's stint as 007 and Alec McCowen played him in Sean Connery's Thunderball remake Never Say Never Again.
But Q was absent from Daniel Craig's first two Bond adventures, Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace.
In a statement, Skyfall producers Michael G Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said: "It's a real thrill to confirm the return of Q in Skyfall played by the enormously talented Ben Whishaw.
"We are delighted to have this beloved character back in the series."
Whishaw, 31, was recently seen playing the title role in the BBC production of Richard II.
He joins a cast including leading man Craig, Albert Finney, Ralph Fiennes, Javier Bardem and Dame Judi Dench, who plays spy boss M.
The Bond girls are played by Naomie Harris, who plays an agent called Eve, and French actress Berenice Marlohe.
The film, which opens in the UK and Irish Republic on October 26, has been filmed on location including London, Turkey and Scotland.
The character of Q, or Quartermaster, appears only fleetingly in Ian Fleming's novels, but comes into his own in the successful Bond film series.
Craig supposedly expressed concern over the character's absence in his first two Bond films, and expressed his hope that Q would return in Skyfall.
Q has furnished Bond with numerous gadgets over the years, including a wrist dart gun, a watch containing an explosive detonator and laser beam cutter, and numerous safe opening and tracking devices.
