Anyone notice Mr. White is back?

135

Comments

  • Posts: 15,229
    Let's not forget one thing about Mr White: he's been introduced almost ten years ago at a time when Blofeld's rights were not secured.
  • TokolosheTokoloshe Under your bed
    Posts: 2,667
    Ludovico wrote: »
    Let's not forget one thing about Mr White: he's been introduced almost ten years ago at a time when Blofeld's rights were not secured.


    Kevin McClory died in November 2006, six days after the premiere of Casino Royale. That's a strange coincidence of dates in itself, given what we now know about where Craig's tenure is going.

    It's not out of the question that by the time CR was being made, the producers knew there was a very strong likelihood they would be able to reacquire the rights to Blofeld, SPECTRE and some unforeseen point during Daniel Craig's tenure.

    This is pure, wild speculation of course, but there is a chance that Mr White's name was chosen with that future possibility in mind.

  • Posts: 11,425
    I also wonder whether CW will actually be Blofeld, but I am not sure Mendes will be able to resist the temptation of bringing Blofeld back. Unless he's already planning on directing the next one....

    And it would be a bit odd if a film called Spectre did not feature Blofeld.
  • Posts: 15,229
    Tokoloshe wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    Let's not forget one thing about Mr White: he's been introduced almost ten years ago at a time when Blofeld's rights were not secured.


    Kevin McClory died in November 2006, six days after the premiere of Casino Royale. That's a strange coincidence of dates in itself, given what we now know about where Craig's tenure is going.

    It's not out of the question that by the time CR was being made, the producers knew there was a very strong likelihood they would be able to reacquire the rights to Blofeld, SPECTRE and some unforeseen point during Daniel Craig's tenure.

    This is pure, wild speculation of course, but there is a chance that Mr White's name was chosen with that future possibility in mind.

    It would be unlikely though. I love Christensen as an actor, he was maybe the most sinister of all of the villains of the Craig era, was criminally underused in QOS which was a liability for the movie I think and he certainly has been in all three previous movies the villain closest to Blofeld in appearance, age and demeanor. But I doubt he will be revealed as Blofeld.
  • PropertyOfALadyPropertyOfALady Colders Federation CEO
    Posts: 3,675
    On the Waltz theory: red herring probably. Remember when SF came out Moneypenny was billed as "Eve-- a field agent." Perhaps EON is doing the same here and Waltz is Blofeld.
  • Posts: 15,229
    On the Waltz theory: red herring probably. Remember when SF came out Moneypenny was billed as "Eve-- a field agent." Perhaps EON is doing the same here and Waltz is Blofeld.

    except there were rumors about her playing Moneypenny... Which she denied.
  • Posts: 533
    Too disgusted beyond words. I wish to God Sam Mendes never became part of the Bond franchise. What was the damn point of bringing back the use of SPECTRE, when they had Quantum all along? What a damn waste of time!
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    DRush76 wrote: »
    Too disgusted beyond words. I wish to God Sam Mendes never became part of the Bond franchise. What was the damn point of bringing back the use of SPECTRE, when they had Quantum all along? What a damn waste of time!
    Yawn. Why don't you see the film first and then spout the negativity. Please and thank you.

    Tokoloshe wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    Let's not forget one thing about Mr White: he's been introduced almost ten years ago at a time when Blofeld's rights were not secured.


    Kevin McClory died in November 2006, six days after the premiere of Casino Royale. That's a strange coincidence of dates in itself, given what we now know about where Craig's tenure is going.

    It's not out of the question that by the time CR was being made, the producers knew there was a very strong likelihood they would be able to reacquire the rights to Blofeld, SPECTRE and some unforeseen point during Daniel Craig's tenure.

    This is pure, wild speculation of course, but there is a chance that Mr White's name was chosen with that future possibility in mind.
    I'm with Ludovico here. If Mr. White is revealed as Blofeld, it's going to be some fine retconning.
  • SirHilaryBraySirHilaryBray Scotland
    Posts: 2,138
    DRush76 wrote: »
    Too disgusted beyond words. I wish toe God Sam Mendes never became part of the Bond franchise. What was the damn point of bringing back the use of SPECTRE, when they had Quantum all along? What a damn waste of time!

    A bit harsh, anyway its Logans screenplay not Mendes and Spectre and Qauntum are surely going to be linked more than likely Qauntum was Spectre operation. Entitled to your own opinion.
  • edited December 2014 Posts: 15,229
    DRush76 wrote: »
    Too disgusted beyond words. I wish toe God Sam Mendes never became part of the Bond franchise. What was the damn point of bringing back the use of SPECTRE, when they had Quantum all along? What a damn waste of time!

    A bit harsh, anyway its Logans screenplay not Mendes and Spectre and Qauntum are surely going to be linked more than likely Qauntum was Spectre operation. Entitled to your own opinion.

    I might add that in the novels SPECTRE took over member of the then defunct SMERSH, and RAHIR and/or TARTAR, the last two being organizations founded by Blofeld before SPECTRE, sort of proto-SPECTRE you might say. I think that is what Quantum may be.
  • MurdockMurdock The minus world
    Posts: 16,359
    Did TARTAR bring the sauce? :P
  • edited December 2014 Posts: 15,229
    DRush76 wrote: »
    Too disgusted beyond words. I wish to God Sam Mendes never became part of the Bond franchise. What was the damn point of bringing back the use of SPECTRE, when they had Quantum all along? What a damn waste of time!
    Yawn. Why don't you see the film first and then spout the negativity. Please and thank you.

    Tokoloshe wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    Let's not forget one thing about Mr White: he's been introduced almost ten years ago at a time when Blofeld's rights were not secured.


    Kevin McClory died in November 2006, six days after the premiere of Casino Royale. That's a strange coincidence of dates in itself, given what we now know about where Craig's tenure is going.

    It's not out of the question that by the time CR was being made, the producers knew there was a very strong likelihood they would be able to reacquire the rights to Blofeld, SPECTRE and some unforeseen point during Daniel Craig's tenure.

    This is pure, wild speculation of course, but there is a chance that Mr White's name was chosen with that future possibility in mind.
    I'm with Ludovico here. If Mr. White is revealed as Blofeld, it's going to be some fine retconning.

    The only way I could see it working is for White to have been created as a pseudo-Blofeld, since they did not have the rights, someone with some of the characteristics of Blofeld but without the name. Then they decided during the writing of Bond 24 to turn White into Blofeld after all.

    But I am playing Devil's Advocate: Mr White got his hands dirty and was close to action far more than the secretive and reclusive Blofeld, which is enough to make me believe they are two different people. And in the alternate ending of QOS, didn't Bond kill White? Again, that seems to indicate he was not meant to be Blofeld.
  • SirHilaryBraySirHilaryBray Scotland
    Posts: 2,138
    Ludovico wrote: »
    DRush76 wrote: »
    Too disgusted beyond words. I wish toe God Sam Mendes never became part of the Bond franchise. What was the damn point of bringing back the use of SPECTRE, when they had Quantum all along? What a damn waste of time!

    A bit harsh, anyway its Logans screenplay not Mendes and Spectre and Qauntum are surely going to be linked more than likely Qauntum was Spectre operation. Entitled to your own opinion.

    I might add that in the novels SPECTRE took over member of the then defunct SMERSH, and RAHIR and/or TARTAR, the last two being organizations founded by Blofeld before SPECTRE, sort of proto-SPECTRE you might say. I think that is what Quantum may be.

    +1 Great comment so true.
  • I think Waltz will play the character he is billed to play and EON will not bill the actor they have got to play Blofeld. Thus, he is revealed near the end of the film and till that moment we have a guessing game.

    Example, Blofeld is revealed and it is Mark Strong or Kevin Spacey or Michael Shannon.

    I think Mr White will side with Bond in the climatic gun battle.
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    edited December 2014 Posts: 6,380
    Tokoloshe wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    Let's not forget one thing about Mr White: he's been introduced almost ten years ago at a time when Blofeld's rights were not secured.

    Kevin McClory died in November 2006, six days after the premiere of Casino Royale. That's a strange coincidence of dates in itself, given what we now know about where Craig's tenure is going.

    It's not out of the question that by the time CR was being made, the producers knew there was a very strong likelihood they would be able to reacquire the rights to Blofeld, SPECTRE and some unforeseen point during Daniel Craig's tenure.

    This is pure, wild speculation of course, but there is a chance that Mr White's name was chosen with that future possibility in mind.

    Don't forget MGW is a lawyer and a screenwriter. :)
    [I might add that in the novels SPECTRE took over member of the then defunct SMERSH, and RAHIR and/or TARTAR, the last two being organizations founded by Blofeld before SPECTRE, sort of proto-SPECTRE you might say. I think that is what Quantum may be.

    In one of the early TSWLM drafts, the young guard kills off SPECTRE and takes it over. Are we about to see QUANTUM face the same fate?

    In any case, it is a good news that White is returning. He's a menacing and enigmatic character played by one of today's best character actors. Wouldn't QoS have benefited from following him a bit longer?
  • SirHilaryBraySirHilaryBray Scotland
    Posts: 2,138
    Hi if you find it on you tube. There is an interview where Marc Foster is interviewing Dan about QOS. Dan says in that interview maybe one day they will bring back Blofeld, white cat and all.
  • SirHilaryBraySirHilaryBray Scotland
    Posts: 2,138
    Hi if you find it on you tube. There is an interview where Marc Foster is interviewing Dan about QOS. Dan says in that interview maybe one day they will bring back Blofeld, white cat and all.
  • Posts: 15,229
    echo wrote: »
    In any case, it is a good news that White is returning. He's a menacing and enigmatic character played by one of today's best character actors. Wouldn't QoS have benefited from following him a bit longer?

    Most definitely! We saw too little of him. And this is also true of Guy Haines. QOS would have benefited for having a more FRWL approach towards villains. I loved Greene the way I loved Kronsteen, but White was far more menacing.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    Ludovico wrote: »
    echo wrote: »
    In any case, it is a good news that White is returning. He's a menacing and enigmatic character played by one of today's best character actors. Wouldn't QoS have benefited from following him a bit longer?

    Most definitely! We saw too little of him. And this is also true of Guy Haines. QOS would have benefited for having a more FRWL approach towards villains. I loved Greene the way I loved Kronsteen, but White was far more menacing.

    I've wanted Haines and White back in a big way since QoS left them hanging. Just think about this for a second: Haines is Quantum, but he's also in big with Britain's PM. Could you imagine Bond, Mallory and the rest of the 00 section literally fighting the very government they serve to take down Quantum when the PM and his guard are trying to protect the interests of his buddy Haines, and by extension his organization at the same time, blocking all their efforts? For this protection from the PM, Haines could give him all kinds of exclusive privileges, express from the evil organization itself. A little blackmail for your rivals, Mr. PM? Done. You say you want some journalists digging a bit too far to have an "accident," Mr. PM? Don't say another word. Incite a little anarchy in the British realm, Mr. PM? Easy, we can get a Mr. Silva on the job with one hell of a grudge against a special someone inside MI6. What do you say we unlock his cage and let him loose? Whatever happens, happens.

    The potential here is endless and utterly profound.
  • edited December 2014 Posts: 533
    Yawn. Why don't you see the film first and then spout the negativity. Please and thank you.


    Because I felt like spouting the negativity . . . that's why. I'm not interesting in pleasing those who think differently. And I'm not interested in the Bond franchise recapturing the past. It's bad enough that STAR TREK did it and STAR WARS is trying to do it. I'm just sick of this lack of originality in the major movie franchises lately.

    Mod Edit - No need for profanity. Post has been edited
  • Posts: 38
    Bringing Mr. White back and the connection between Quantum and Spectre was on my wish list. 2 down. Next a "proper" Aston Martin with some "optional equipment".
  • edited December 2014 Posts: 7,507
    Ludovico wrote: »
    echo wrote: »
    In any case, it is a good news that White is returning. He's a menacing and enigmatic character played by one of today's best character actors. Wouldn't QoS have benefited from following him a bit longer?

    Most definitely! We saw too little of him. And this is also true of Guy Haines. QOS would have benefited for having a more FRWL approach towards villains. I loved Greene the way I loved Kronsteen, but White was far more menacing.

    I've wanted Haines and White back in a big way since QoS left them hanging. Just think about this for a second: Haines is Quantum, but he's also in big with Britain's PM. Could you imagine Bond, Mallory and the rest of the 00 section literally fighting the very government they serve to take down Quantum when the PM and his guard are trying to protect the interests of his buddy Haines, and by extension his organization at the same time, blocking all their efforts? For this protection from the PM, Haines could give him all kinds of exclusive privileges, express from the evil organization itself. A little blackmail for your rivals, Mr. PM? Done. You say you want some journalists digging a bit too far to have an "accident," Mr. PM? Don't say another word. Incite a little anarchy in the British realm, Mr. PM? Easy, we can get a Mr. Silva on the job with one hell of a grudge against a special someone inside MI6. What do you say we unlock his cage and let him loose? Whatever happens, happens.

    The potential here is endless and utterly profound.

    I like your idea, but considering all the criticism Quantum of Solace got for being overly political, they should probably treat that angle with the utmost care, don't you think? ;)
  • HASEROTHASEROT has returned like the tedious inevitability of an unloved season---
    Posts: 4,399
    jobo wrote: »
    Ludovico wrote: »
    echo wrote: »
    In any case, it is a good news that White is returning. He's a menacing and enigmatic character played by one of today's best character actors. Wouldn't QoS have benefited from following him a bit longer?

    Most definitely! We saw too little of him. And this is also true of Guy Haines. QOS would have benefited for having a more FRWL approach towards villains. I loved Greene the way I loved Kronsteen, but White was far more menacing.

    I've wanted Haines and White back in a big way since QoS left them hanging. Just think about this for a second: Haines is Quantum, but he's also in big with Britain's PM. Could you imagine Bond, Mallory and the rest of the 00 section literally fighting the very government they serve to take down Quantum when the PM and his guard are trying to protect the interests of his buddy Haines, and by extension his organization at the same time, blocking all their efforts? For this protection from the PM, Haines could give him all kinds of exclusive privileges, express from the evil organization itself. A little blackmail for your rivals, Mr. PM? Done. You say you want some journalists digging a bit too far to have an "accident," Mr. PM? Don't say another word. Incite a little anarchy in the British realm, Mr. PM? Easy, we can get a Mr. Silva on the job with one hell of a grudge against a special someone inside MI6. What do you say we unlock his cage and let him loose? Whatever happens, happens.

    The potential here is endless and utterly profound.

    I like your idea, but considering all the criticism Quantum of Solace got for being overly political, they should probably treat that angle with the utmost care, don't you think? ;)

    the political stuff never really gained any traction probably due to the unfinished script.. it raised some very good points about the whole "good guy vs bad guy" mentality - like the scene with M being dressed down by her superior, and him mentioning that if they refused to do business with men like Greene then there would be virtually no trading between countries.... but none of it went anywhere - it was brought up, but never followed through on... SF is fairly political as well once you strip past all themes and metaphors of young vs old... but i agree, if you are going to go down that political road, it needs to be done right.... i have faith in Mendes and company for SP that they'll accomplish it.
  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    I'm with @haserot. Skyfall was uber political, and that obviously didn't stop it from being a big hit. I think audiences are smart enough to separate fiction from reality, and adding in relevant political themes and concerns to Bond films is compelling to me, as 007's government employment opens up so many doors to do that in meaningful and genuine ways.

    I loved all the themes of tradition vs. modernity, and where exactly men like Bond fit in as the world is growing more and more tech based and less human focused, as far as spying is concerned. It was relevant, hard-hitting and interesting, and the film made a great case for why tradition (human resolve and wit over technical wizardry), classic appeal (the DB5) and human agents are still very much needed even in our progressive tech driven world.
  • Posts: 183
    So pleased Mr White is returning, and although I don't think he will or should be Blofeld, I always (subconsciously at the time but consciously now) thought how much he "sounded" like a Blofeld type character when he killed Le Chiffre with the words "money is not as important to our organisation as knowing who to trust".
  • edited December 2014 Posts: 7,507
    There were political themes in Skyfall, yes. However there were no insinuations that corruption took place in the higher political hierarchy, or that the British government is cooperating with criminals or terrorists. There is a huge difference there...
    I think audiences are smart enough to separate fiction from reality, and adding in relevant political themes and concerns to Bond films is compelling to me, as 007's government employment opens up so many doors to do that in meaningful and genuine ways.

    Yes, most audiences are of course. Not everyone however... And remember that if EON succeds with their objective, millions of people will watch this film. You don't need a high percentage of idiots for them to make a considerable mark, if you know what I mean... And remember that many people are easily offended, and love to complain. It wouldn't be wise to give them to much ammunition.

    We basically agree about this. But I think EON would be adviced to tread carefully. That's the problem with the commercialized world. Freedom of speech doesn't work in a financial sense. And then you have to decide if such potentially controversial themes, however 'meaningful' they might be, are truly worth it...
  • Posts: 1
    Waltz is Blofeld.

    The reason they're keeping it an open secret is the title gives it away, which Isn't a bad thing at all. And this is a great time for everyone to go brush up on their Fleming: if you read how SPECTRE is described in the books what you'll realize will give you pause to shudder. It's made up of gestapo, star spangled gang, mafia, SMERSH, etc., Think of all those types in the same room 50 years later. Quantum is but one of many organized crime elements in the world, and Mr. White will be its emissary.

    And SPECTRE means they're all going to unite under one leader.
  • Posts: 1,548
    scouse007 wrote: »
    I think Waltz will play the character he is billed to play and EON will not bill the actor they have got to play Blofeld. Thus, he is revealed near the end of the film and till that moment we have a guessing game.

    Example, Blofeld is revealed and it is Mark Strong or Kevin Spacey or Michael Shannon.

    I think Mr White will side with Bond in the climatic gun battle.

    I like that theory. As much as I'd love CW to be playing ESB i have a feeling that EON have a few tricks up their sleeve and may well do as you suggest and make a big reveal at the end of the film leading into Bond 25.

  • 0BradyM0Bondfanatic70BradyM0Bondfanatic7 Quantum Floral Arrangements: "We Have Petals Everywhere"
    Posts: 28,694
    The good news here is that since Logan, Mendes and Craig all love heading back to Ian's original source material, we will likely have the real, literary Blofeld up on the big screen.
  • Posts: 15,229
    The good news here is that since Logan, Mendes and Craig all love heading back to Ian's original source material, we will likely have the real, literary Blofeld up on the big screen.

    I certainly hope so.
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