Christoph Waltz To Play Bond Villain

Christoph Waltz, known for playing Nazi Hans Landa in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglorious Basterds is set to again go back to his villainous roots as the lead antagonist in the next James Bond film.

 

The 24^th Bond movie finds the franchise in midst of a mini-reboot. Daniel Craig is contracted for two more features, but the last film, Skyfall, saw the death of Judi Dench’s M who had played the character since the Pierce Brosnan era in the early 1990s and the introduction of a new M played by Ralph Fiennes (who was, long ago, rumored to take up the role of James Bond after Roger Moore retired). Skyfall also introduced audiences to new versions of Ms. Moneypenny (Naomie Harris) and Q (Ben Whishaw).

 

While it is unclear if Waltz will be playing an original or updated character, many have already begun speculation that with the introduction of so many old school Bond characters and tropes, that this next film (still unnamed) will feature the return of common 007 bad guys such as SPECTRE and Ernst Stavro Blofeld. The rumors began when Dave Bautista was said to have been cast as the villain Hinx. Also rumored to appear is Chiwetel Ejiofor, though like Waltz, his role has not been specified.

 

Waltz has won two Academy Awards—both times in supporting roles in Tarantino movies. He will be joining director Sam Mendes who himself is an Academy Award winner and screenwriter John Logan who has been nominated for an Oscar. By taking the role of chief antagonist, this is Waltz’ first time playing an arch villain since 2011’s Three Musketeers remake.