The UK’s Daily Mail reports that one of the most iconic Bond villains may be returning to the big screen in the yet to be titled Bond 24. Two-time Oscar winner Cristoph Waltz may be breathing life into the long dead Bond villain, Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
Blofeld was the head of a terrorist organization known as SPECTRE (SPecial Executive for Counter-intelligence, Terrorism, Revenge and Extortion).
The character of Blofeld has appeared in 6 original Bond films produced by Albert Broccoli and Harry Saltzman’s company EON Productions: From Russia with Love, Thunderball, You Only Live Twice, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Diamonds Are Forever, and For Your Eyes Only.
Blofeld would also be played by Max von Sydow in Warner Bros. successful 1983 remake of Thunderball alternately titled, Never Say Never Again.
The most recognized portrayal is the scar faced visage of Blofeld by Donald Pleasence, with his fluffy white feline cohort, in You Only Live Twice. This version of Blofeld is without a doubt the inspiration for the character of Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies and also likely the basis for Inspector Gadget’s fiercest foe, Dr. Claw.
The only real hurdle that was likely to hinder Blofeld’s return to the Bond series was a long-standing legal dispute over rights to the character. Since a settlement has been reached, they can bring him back from the dead…or out of retirement if you rather.
Will Waltz appear as the bald headed, scar faced, fluffy white cat toting visage of the villain we most recognize? Likely not, since the recent films have become more gritty and less campy than their predecessors.
To find out which version of Blofeld will be tormenting James Bond in the 24th film of this long-running series, one only needs to wait until the movie is released on November 6th of 2015.