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SPECTRE: So who's going to play Ernst?

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  • Gustav_GravesGustav_Graves
    Posts: 11,119
    There's a nice article/interview with Ralph Fiennes on IFC News online. The extended one. And how he thinks about James Bond:


    <<< Talk about fortuitous timing. Earlier today at a press conference, Eon Productions officially announced the 23rd James Bond film, "Skyfall," as well as its full cast list: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Albert Finney, and Ralph Fiennes. A few hours later, I happened to be chatting with Fiennes about "Coriolanus," his fascinating debut as a film director. As a huge Bond fan, I had to use the last few minutes of our interview to hear what he had to say about the film, which goes into production next week.

    "If you're a Bond fan," Fiennes told me when I confessed my 007 obsession, "then you'll be happy. I can tell you that John Logan has written a fantastic screenplay and [director] Sam Mendes is a class act. They're doing something quite special I think. I think they're going to be great for Bond."

    Fiennes is a Academy Award nominated actor, but is he a Bond fan? "I love the Bond books particularly," he said. "I like the books even more than the films. I like the darkness of the books. But I've also enjoyed all the films." Fiennes also told me he vividly remembers the first Bond he ever saw: 1969's "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" with George Lazenby.

    Darkness is a word you hear a lot in relation to Craig's Bond films, but I'd read some speculation that Mendes' take on the character may be even darker than the one in "Casino Royale" and "Quantum of Solace." So I asked Fiennes if he thought that Mendes and Logan were bringing some of the "darkness" he loves from the books to "Skyfall."

    "No, for me the books' darkness comes from their period nature," he replied. "I always wished they'd done a Bond set in 1955 in the Cold War like a Graham Greene novel. But no, this is just a great piece of screenwriting and the human drama at the center of this is quite affecting. And it's full of amazing stunts and action sequences."

    Will he get to join in on the stunts and action sequences? Fiennes took a long pause. "I can't answer that question," he said. "I don't get laid, that's for sure." That might be a clue, or it might not be -- typically Bond's the guy who gets laid in James Bond films; that's why they're called James Bond films.

    If I can put on my fan hat for a moment, here's my totally unsubstantiated speculation. Bardem is confirmed as the main villain of "Skyfall" and there have been some hints that he might be playing the new version of Ernst Blofeld, Bond's arch-nemesis from all the old Sean Connery films. But it took three movies to see Blofeld's face onscreen during the original run of Connery Bonds; in "From Russia With Love" and "Thunderball" he was just the mysterious evil mastermind lurking in the shadows stroking a cat. I have a hunch Bardem works as a lieutenant for Blofeld, who's played by Fiennes. I mean come on: who'd be a better Blofeld than Lord Voldemort? Nobody I can think of.

    We'll see if my guess is right on November 9, 2012 when "Skyfall" hits theaters. In the meantime, look for more of my interview with Fiennes about "Coriolanus" closer to its release on December 2. It's not Bond, but it's a very interesting movie. >>>


  • Whitaker1987Whitaker1987
    Posts: 172
    wait is that Javier's name in the film Damien Joel Ristori Damien is good first name for a villain if this is True I'm happy.
    Nicknamed The Omen perhaps! A devilish baddie he may become!

  • Char35tChar35t
    edited November 2011 Posts: 289
    is he an upclose sugar, a boom boom daddy or is he the at&t type man?

    Ralph could be M...
  • JBFan626JBFan626
    Posts: 1,497
    I'm 85% confident Ralph Fiennes is Ernst--both with the John Logan hint and with all the mystery at the press conference yesterday. Plus either Craig or Mendes said, they are throwing in all the classic Bond stuff for the anniversary (paraphrasing as I don't remember the exact quote).
  • shadowonthesunshadowonthesun Banned
    Posts: 1,894
    What your thoughts for a name for Javier Bardem's baddie?
    If he's playing a Spanish or otherwise-Hispanic villain, I can think of some:

    Guillermo Viñales y Moncayo ("gee-err-moe vin-yah-lez ee mon-kay-oh")

    The reason why I think this is a good name is because it is not pronouced the same way as it is written. That's something that I've noticed with Bond villains - they use unusual letter combinations ("Trevalyan"), hard and harsh sounds ("Stromberg"), repeated letters with different sounds ("Kananga"), or, on the rare occasion, names with no dominant syllabic sounds ("Le Chiffre") to make for a weak name.

    However, I find the notion that Bardem will be playing a character named Damien Joel Ristori to be far-fetched. EON deliberately made a point of not naming Bardem's character - so why would they leave a piece of paper with his name on it lying around where anyone with a telephoto lens could spot it?
  • karatemanchan37karatemanchan37
    Posts: 584
    Why exactly would the producers introduce a supervillain when they explicitly stated that they were not going to include the organization he's heading?
  • calfexcalfex
    Posts: 42
    Ernst Stavro Blofeld, I suspect, will be played by Ralph Fiennes. The scenario will return back to how Blofeld wants to conquer the world, maybe by threatening the MI-6 Headquarters. The threat will also be helped by another villain played by Javier Bardem. Albert Finney, this is just my prediction, will play the most-loving role which has lost in the previous two Bond films, Quartermaster/Q. Moneypenny, which also has lost in two previous Bond Films, will be played by Helen McCrory. This is just my prediction.
  • HASEROTHASEROT has returned like the tedious inevitability of an unloved season---
    Posts: 4,399
    are we even for certain that the rights have been bought out by EON or MGM or SONY?... last time i checked, i thought those rights still belonged to Kevin McClory's estate.... which would mean that Blofeld and SPECTRE are off limits without serious legal repercussions.

    rights just don't go away once someone has died obviously.
  • Gustav_GravesGustav_Graves
    Posts: 11,119
    are we even for certain that the rights have been bought out by EON or MGM or SONY?... last time i checked, i thought those rights still belonged to Kevin McClory's estate.... which would mean that Blofeld and SPECTRE are off limits without serious legal repercussions.

    rights just don't go away once someone has died obviously.
    I'm pretty certain Kevin McGlory was sharing the rights of 'Blofeld' and 'SPECTRE' with the legal department of Sony Pictures.....

  • BennyBenny Shaken not stirredAdministrator, Moderator
    Posts: 15,171
    If Ralph Feinnes turns out to be Ernst Stavro Blofeld, it wouldn't come as a huge shock.
    Though to be honest, I'd rather he played an ally. Surely even he must get tired of always playing the villain. Especially after playing he who shall not be named.
  • shadowonthesunshadowonthesun Banned
    Posts: 1,894
    Who, Voldemort?
  • HASEROTHASEROT has returned like the tedious inevitability of an unloved season---
    edited November 2011 Posts: 4,399
    are we even for certain that the rights have been bought out by EON or MGM or SONY?... last time i checked, i thought those rights still belonged to Kevin McClory's estate.... which would mean that Blofeld and SPECTRE are off limits without serious legal repercussions.

    rights just don't go away once someone has died obviously.
    I'm pretty certain Kevin McGlory was sharing the rights of 'Blofeld' and 'SPECTRE' with the legal department of Sony Pictures.....

    well.... quoting wikipedia, which pretty much sums up all i could gather from other websites as well..

    "it is unknown what will happen to the rights to the characters of Blofeld and members of his organisation post McClory's death."

    from what i can gather, in 1999 SONY reached a deal with MGM out of court - in which SONY would agree to give up any rights they had to anything James Bond, in order to attain the Spider-man franchise off MGM.... so whatever deal that was struck between McClory and SONY at that point in regards to the Blofeld character, was ultimately sacrificed to get Spider-man.... McClory offered to sell the rights in 2002 - but as of 2006, upon his death, no further news of the rights to Blofeld and SPECTRE have gone anywhere...

    unless a deal was reached with SONY between 2008 and now, i find Blofeld being a part of this film highly unlikely.. any news that big containing the rights to Blofeld would have most certainly crossed over the wire here at MI6.. so far, there has been nothing.
  • SJK91SJK91
    edited November 2011 Posts: 1,310
    Here's the thing though: in GoldenEye: Reloaded, you are able to play as Charles Grey's version of Ernst Stavro Blofeld in multiplayer...the name 'Blofeld' is even mentioned! (Also: recall that in GoldenEye: Rogue Agent, Blofeld is hinted at during the ending scene, but the name 'Blofeld' was never referred to by name, only by 'number one'. And in the video game adaptation of From Russia With Love, the organization 'Octopus' was used instead of 'SPECTRE', implying that the makers of the game weren't able to legally use SPECTRE.) But now, here comes GE: Reloaded, an EON licensed game with Ernst Stavro Blofeld and SPECTRE spelled out plain and dry. (Check out GE: Reloaded's website, the name SPECTRE is mentioned as well!) I think the rights have shifted in EON's favor...
  • EmilioEmilio Palmyra, Nassau
    Posts: 175
    The few lines on plot we have are "In SKYFALL Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost."
    How Blofeld can fit in?
  • shadowonthesunshadowonthesun Banned
    Posts: 1,894
    Because that's not the entire plot. It's just what EON have told us.
  • HASEROTHASEROT has returned like the tedious inevitability of an unloved season---
    Posts: 4,399
    Here's the thing though: in GoldenEye: Reloaded, you are able to play as Charles Grey's version of Ernst Stavro Blofeld in multiplayer...the name 'Blofeld' is even mentioned! (Also: recall that in GoldenEye: Rogue Agent, Blofeld is hinted at during the ending scene, but the name 'Blofeld' was never referred to by name, only by 'number one'. And in the video game adaptation of From Russia With Love, the organization 'Octopus' was used instead of 'SPECTRE', implying that the makers of the game weren't able to legally use SPECTRE.) But now, here comes GE: Reloaded, an EON licensed game with Ernst Stavro Blofeld and SPECTRE spelled out plain and dry. (Check out GE: Reloaded's website, the name SPECTRE is mentioned as well!) I think the rights have shifted in EON's favor...
    Well... how come then in the From Russia With Love video game, SPECTRE was replaced with OCTOPUS, and no mention of Blofeld at all? - and that game was released a full year after Goldeneye : Rogue Agent..

    There might be a legal difference in using the likeness from a previous film for video game purposes - than using the character itself all together... which makes you think - is Charles Gray really the most recognized Blofeld? - the description even on the website doesn't match.. all it says, is that he can change appearences... so something is a miss..... because then, why dont they edit out the name of character and organization in all the films then?.... see what i am getting at..

    I believe any new property trying to use the name Blofeld or SPECTRE has to be approved by the McClory Estate first..... and in GE:RL, having the character Blofeld was not a selling point in the game, nor was he centrally related to the plot - he's just a multiplayer character... - who knows what the exact legality of it is...... all i know, is that if some deal between the McClory estate and EON had been made, I think we would've heard it by now...

    besides that, why introduce Blofeld in this movie that has no connection to the other 2?.. are they going to reveal him then kill him off quickly before we go back to QUANTUM?,, doubtful..... this is Dan's Goldfinger.
  • echoecho 007 in New York
    Posts: 6,393
    There might be a legal difference in using the likeness from a previous film for video game purposes.

    besides that, why introduce Blofeld in this movie that has no connection to the other 2?.. are they going to reveal him then kill him off quickly before we go back to QUANTUM?,, doubtful..... this is Dan's Goldfinger.
    There is definitely a difference between video game and film rights.

    I agree that it's likely Daniel Craig's Goldfinger. And I don't think Blofeld is likely to appear. (I think Mendes' coyness is more likely to give us Q and/or Moneypenny.)

    That being said, I can envision a scenario where the movie builds up to an "I'm Blofeld" reveal, kind of like Unbreakable as well as mirroring the end of CR.

    And I suppose the next film could be about Blofeld and QUANTUM. It would be interesting if they revisited the unused Anthony Burgess The Spy Who Loved Me idea of terrorists storming SPECTRE and taking it over...except this time it would be Blofeld taking over QUANTUM.


  • Gustav_GravesGustav_Graves
    Posts: 11,119
    Is there anyone who actually...likes the idea of Blofeld's return? And do people agree it could be a mastermove to bring him back.....making him so complex, dark, The Joker-esque, that there actually could be another Oscar nomination for Ralph Fiennes?.

    My answers to my own questions: Yes, yes, YES :p !
  • shadowonthesunshadowonthesun Banned
    Posts: 1,894
    Okay, let's assume for the moment that Blofeld is returning ... why does Fiennes have to play the character?

    Ernst Stavro Blofeld would need to be updated for 2012. So, as a part of that update, why not tweak his name - to, say "Ernesto Santos Blofeld"? Spanish naming traditions mean that a child has a given name and two surnames. In this case, "Santos" is the father's name, and "Blofeld" is the mother's. So, instead of being a Greek Pole, Blofeld would be a Spanish Pole.

    Javier Bardem as Ernesto Santos Blofeld. You heard it here first, folks.
  • 4EverBonded4EverBonded the Ballrooms of Mars
    edited November 2011 Posts: 12,480
    I don't know why I sometimes double post and I can't seem to get rid of it easily ... sorry!
  • QBranchQBranch Always have an escape plan. Mine is watching James Bond films.
    Posts: 14,694
    An update for Ernst Blofeld would make him E.Blo. You didn't hear it here first. ;-)
  • zebrafishzebrafish <°)))< in Octopussy's garden in the shade
    Posts: 4,348
    "Ernesto Santos Blofeld"? Really? That brings us straight into Austin Powers territory.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    Posts: 15,723
    "Ernesto Santos Blofeld"? Really? That brings us straight into Austin Powers territory.
    Agreed. Terrible idea. I'd rather a straight forward Blofeld, with a few simple modifications, than to ruin the franchise further by going into Austin Powers territory. Yes I like the camp, the fun, the gags, gadgets... But to Moore level, not AP level.

  • shadowonthesunshadowonthesun Banned
    Posts: 1,894
    "Ernesto Santos Blofeld"? Really? That brings us straight into Austin Powers territory.
    How so?

    "Ernesto" is the Spanish form of "Ernest", which is the closest name that I could find to "Ernst".

    "Santos" is a common Spanish surname. As I explained, under Spanish naming traditions, the father's surname comes first. It was also the closest Spanish name that I could find to "Stavro" (or "Stavros"). The character would be known as "Ernesto Santos" for most of the film.

    "Blofeld" is given by Fleming as a Polish surname. Blofeld himself was a Greek Pole - why can't he be rewritten to be a Spanish Pole? If a child had a Spanish father and a Polish mother, then "Ernesto Santos Blofeld" (or "Ernesto Santos y Blofeld"; the "y" means "and").
    I'd rather a straight forward Blofeld, with a few simple modifications
    Well, you're not going to get it. Large parts of Blofeld's character in the novels hinge on his actions during World War II, since he always aligned himself with whichever side he thought was going to win at any give time. That's not possible today.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    edited November 2011 Posts: 15,723
    Well, you're not going to get it. Large parts of Blofeld's character in the novels hinge on his actions during World War II, since he always aligned himself with whichever side he thought was going to win at any give time. That's not possible today.
    What on earth are you on about ? Who says Blofeld has to follow the novels ? Your wild theories and explanations are getting more and more incomprehensible. I'd rather a Blofeld similar to the one in the films (Pleasance, Gray, Savalas) than ruining the novels again by totally changing the character.
  • shadowonthesunshadowonthesun Banned
    Posts: 1,894
    What on earth are you on about ? Who says Blofeld has to follow the novels ? Your wild theories and explanations are getting more and more incomprehensible. I'd rather a Blofeld similar to the one in the films (Pleasance, Gray, Savalas) than ruining the novels again by totally changing the character.
    There's no need to get so worked up. You said you wanted a "straightforward Blofeld, with a few simple modifications", and given your pro-Fleming approach in the past, how else was I suppose to interpret it? The Pleasance, Gray and Savalas iterations of Blofeld easily fit in with Fleming's original character; there was never anything to suggest they were someone else. You've really got to stop taking these things so personally.
  • DaltonCraig007DaltonCraig007 They say, "Evil prevails when good men fail to act." What they ought to say is, "Evil prevails."
    edited November 2011 Posts: 15,723
    Well Pleasance's, Savalas' and Gray's Blofeld can easily fit in today's world. Just rework a bit their domination/villain plot, and there you have it.
  • zebrafishzebrafish <°)))< in Octopussy's garden in the shade
    Posts: 4,348
    Blofeld's got to be a menacing (megalo)maniac. A Spanish background simply romanticizes the guy, and Javier Bardem is too likeable to play the evil villain. Contrast this with Fiennes, he's already been there (very much so in Schindler's List, but of course also in Harry Potter). He's born for the role and there's no need to translate names.
  • Gustav_GravesGustav_Graves
    Posts: 11,119
    Okay, let's assume for the moment that Blofeld is returning ... why does Fiennes have to play the character?

    Ernst Stavro Blofeld would need to be updated for 2012. So, as a part of that update, why not tweak his name - to, say "Ernesto Santos Blofeld"? Spanish naming traditions mean that a child has a given name and two surnames. In this case, "Santos" is the father's name, and "Blofeld" is the mother's. So, instead of being a Greek Pole, Blofeld would be a Spanish Pole.

    Javier Bardem as Ernesto Santos Blofeld. You heard it here first, folks.
    I think it's more about the written screenplay that shows the renewed character of Blofeld. It does not depend on a....different name IMO. I prefer Ersnt Stavro Blofeld. I mean, was Le Chiffre changed into: The Sherrif :) ?
  • CASINOROYALECASINOROYALE Somewhere hot
    Posts: 1,003
    I would love to see Ralph close the movie or a scene after the credits show him as Blofield. Just think how awesome that would be..A total surprise too.

    Ralph is what? 6'1. He's pretty thin too...Picture him wearing a gray suit.


    http://www.google.com/imgres?q=ralph+fiennes+balding&um=1&hl=en&rlz=1R2GGLL_enUS396&biw=1280&bih=490&tbm=isch&tbnid=3Qulwrr_A5HApM:&imgrefurl=http://www.celebitchy.com/29192/ralph_fiennes_has_oedipal_issues/&docid=KPMs_bpcJz2YbM&imgurl=http://www.celebitchy.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/wenn2201401.jpg&w=3000&h=3813&ei=ZZK5TtXEIsSusQKU5KHfCA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=551&vpy=116&dur=2212&hovh=253&hovw=199&tx=150&ty=171&sig=108620759581281015157&page=1&tbnh=146&tbnw=117&start=0&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:3,s:0
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