A retrospective disappointment given the talent on hand, Christoph Waltz's portrayal of Blofeld in 2015's Spectre felt like something of a missed opportunity. A performance that felt more like a bleached replica of the iconic Hans Landa from Inglorious Basterds than a fresh and three-dimensional Bond Villain.
And the man himself agrees.
Speaking to The Times, Waltz said of his part in the Bond universe: "It was an incredible experience to be part of this postwar cultural phenomenon. Yet I can't say that I was happy at every step of the process."
"I feel that there are some loose ends with my engagement. And I'm not saying that I'm going to be in the next one. I'm not going to be in the next one. But let's say, in terms of my feeling that I have sufficiently served a purpose, there are a few white blotches on that map for me, personally.
"I don't want to be critical of something that doesn't deserve to be criticised, so that's why I'm being a little cryptic. There are just certain things I am unhappy with. I wish I would have gotten the opportunity to iron those glitches out."
Was it Sam Mendes? Was it Daniel Craig? Was it the script?
We'll likely never know.
Anyway, here's Christoph in Inglorious Basterds being charming and devastating and oh-so sinister.
