Christoph Waltz Game To Return For Bond 25, But Only If Daniel Craig Joins Him

Christoph Waltz’s Ernst Stavro Blofeld was introduced in Spectre as the author of James Bond’s pain, and now, the actor behind the menacing big bad has something of an ultimatum for MI6’s prized agent.

First reported by The Mirror, sources close to MGM claim that Waltz is being courted to return for Bond 25 along with another entry in the series soon thereafter, but it’s understood the Oscar-winner will only reprise his role on one condition: if Daniel Craig also makes a return as the steely-eyed killer.

Last we reported on the status of the yet-to-be-titled Bond 25, director Sam Mendes – who helmed both Skyfall and Spectre – admitted he was unlikely to return in the hot seat, while Craig is reportedly keeping a close eye on the franchise’s distribution rights before making a decision. Now that Sony and MGM’s partnership is nearing a close, it’s understood the latter is ready to usher the James Bond series into a new home sooner rather than later, though it remains to be seen if this has a marked impact on the potential start date for Bond 25.

As for The Mirror’s report, it appears that producers close to the series are keen to nurture Waltz’s Blofeld into a recurring villain for Craig’s 00-agent to lock horns with, akin to the indelible Jaws.

“Christoph could make a brilliant ongoing man for Bond to battle like in the old days. But the important clincher of it is that Blofeld can only work with Daniel back in the role to keep continuity.”

Given the character’s fate at the end of Spectre, not to mention the eventual destruction of the titular and nefarious organization, weaving Blofeld back into the James Bond universe would naturally require some corner cutting, but then again, the thought of Waltz growing into a recurring villain in Bond 25 is enough to pique our curiosity.