Ben Whishaw wants his James Bond character, Q, to become the focus of the franchise.

Ben Whishaw

Ben Whishaw

The 37-year-old actor will return as the tech expert for the third time in the next installment of the spy saga - which will be Daniel Craig's final outing as Bond - and hopes his part will get progressively bigger in the future.

Asked what he'd think if Q was the next 007, he said: "Oh, yeah! I'd only do it if I could be Q, though, doing it. I don't want to jinx anything, but I'm definitely up for being more active."

Though Ben is expecting to start work on Bond 25 later in the year, he admitted the project is so secretive, he hasn't even had his casting confirmed yet.

Asked by Vulture if he is officially returning for the next movie, he said: "That's my understanding. I believe we're starting in December, so I haven't read anything or talked to anybody yet. But that's quite normal. It's all incredibly secretive until the last moment."

The 'A Very English Scandal' actor seeks out roles that offer him "complicated psychologies" and he particularly likes playing "clever" characters.

He said: "I'm interested in interesting behaviour and complicated psychologies. I love ambiguity in characters or ambivalence.

"I like characters who are clever, who've got some kind of energy, some kind of survival instinct. I like using narrative comedy and darkness."

While he's still being kept in the dark about Bond 25, Ben recently admitted he's looking forward to working with director Danny Boyle on the film.

He said: "I just think it's really exciting to have Danny Boyle on board for Bond. I was thrilled when I read that he was going to be doing it, I can't think of a better or more exciting fit for Daniel [Craig] and the direction he's taken the character of Bond.

"I'm just really excited to work with him, I've been such a big fan. It seems weird to talk about it because I've not had a conversation with him but it's exciting."