Blofeld Casting Ideas

hehadlotsofgutshehadlotsofguts Durham England Posts: 2,112MI6 Agent
Since reading the news about SPECTRE being acquired by MGM and Danjaq is a reality. I have been thinking about who should play Blofeld. Whether obscured from full view in a pre YOLT incarnation or in full view like a post YOLT incarnation, the actor portraying Blofeld should be deep voiced. i never bought Pleasence in the role as i thought his voice was too high.He sounded too much like mr Herbert from Family Guy lisp and all. Question is who would be an ideal candidate?
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Comments

  • BunsenPPKBunsenPPK Sydney, AustraliaPosts: 77MI6 Agent
    Since reading the news about SPECTRE being acquired by MGM and Danjaq is a reality. I have been thinking about who should play Blofeld. Whether obscured from full view in a pre YOLT incarnation or in full view like a post YOLT incarnation, the actor portraying Blofeld should be deep voiced. i never bought Pleasence in the role as i thought his voice was too high.He sounded too much like mr Herbert from Family Guy lisp and all. Question is who would be an ideal candidate?

    It was a shame about Pleasence, I think he had the most book-to-film accurate look of Blofeld (scar over the face), but like you said, his voice is a bit of a let down, but then again...having all his lines dubbed would've been kind of silly.
    I don't really have anyone in mind as I don't actually look around for actors/actresses to play particular parts in a Bond film, though I would like Michael Fassbender somewhere in here :)
    "I think he got the point"
  • screenamescreename Posts: 388MI6 Agent
    , though I would like Michael Fassbender somewhere in here :)

    How about as Bond!
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,334MI6 Agent
    I think Frank Langella would make a good Blofeld.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I always thought Laurence Fishburne would've made a great Bolfeld, but perhaps a bit old now
    to be up against Craig.
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    Bruce Willis :))
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,865Chief of Staff
    BunsenPPK wrote:
    It was a shame about Pleasence, I think he had the most book-to-film accurate look of Blofeld (scar over the face)

    This is nonsense.

    Donald Pleasence, in YOLT or any other film, looked nothing like Blofeld in YOLT or any other book.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    AlphaOmegaSin wrote
    Bruce Willis :))

    Yippie-ki-yeh, Mr Bond. :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BunsenPPKBunsenPPK Sydney, AustraliaPosts: 77MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    BunsenPPK wrote:
    It was a shame about Pleasence, I think he had the most book-to-film accurate look of Blofeld (scar over the face)

    This is nonsense.

    Donald Pleasence, in YOLT or any other film, looked nothing like Blofeld in YOLT or any other book.

    Tad harsh, I did say I THINK, doesn't mean everyone must think that, and in my mind's eye, the description of Blofeld given by Fleming in Thunderball, is IN MY OPINION at least a little like Pleasense.
    I understand you may not agree, but there is no need for you to completely rubbish my thought.
    Thankyou.
    "I think he got the point"
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,865Chief of Staff
    Blofeld had hair, Pleasence didn't.
    Blofeld was a big man, Pleasence wasn't.
    Blofeld didn't have a scar, Pleasence did.

    A few more details could be added if necessary.

    Pleasence did not look like Blofeld, and that is not an opinion but a fact. In no way is his portrayal an accurate book-to-film depiction and it is that claim that I am disputing.
  • BIG TAMBIG TAM Wrexham, North Wales, UK.Posts: 773MI6 Agent
    Wasn't original YOLT casting choice Jan Werich more like the Blofeld of the books in appearance? Pleasance seemed cast because of his expertise at playing weaselly baddies. The scar seemed added to give his Blofeld a bit of definition. A bit too on the nose for me. Savalas was better.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I don't know if this is a bit of Bond myth but, there is a scene in YOLT the back of
    Blofeld's chair with Bond in the background where you can see a tiny bit of hair
    which is one of the only bits of Jan Werich to make it on screen.
    Although if this is true I don't know as I've never looked that close. ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • BarbelBarbel ScotlandPosts: 37,865Chief of Staff
    BIG TAM wrote:
    Wasn't original YOLT casting choice Jan Werich more like the Blofeld of the books in appearance? Pleasance seemed cast because of his expertise at playing weaselly baddies. The scar seemed added to give his Blofeld a bit of definition. A bit too on the nose for me. Savalas was better.

    From James Bond In The Cinema, John Brosnan (Tantivy Press, 1972):
    "Pleasence tells how, in the make-up room at Pinewood, they tried him first with a hump to make him look more unusual, then with a limp, a beard and a lame hand. They finally settled on a scar"
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,334MI6 Agent
    I seem to remember Blofeld was a big, heavyset man with short, black hair. I think Frank Langella and Stellan Skarsgård are the best candidates so far. Lawrence Fishburne is a good actor, but I have problems envisioning a black American with that name.
  • The Domino EffectThe Domino Effect Posts: 3,638MI6 Agent
    Number24 wrote:
    I seem to remember Blofeld was a big, heavyset man with short, black hair.

    Sounds like Danny De Vito...without the big, and the hair... :#
  • superdaddysuperdaddy englandPosts: 917MI6 Agent
    Idris E lba
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Can't be. Supperdaddy, he's the next Bond, unless he's going to play Both parts. I know
    he's a talented actor but that might be asking a bit much. :))
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • AlphaOmegaSinAlphaOmegaSin EnglandPosts: 10,926MI6 Agent
    Blofeld in the Books changes his appearance


    Blofelds.png


    Blofelds last Appearance is in the Line of Jimmy Savvile :))

    Can a Mod Merge this with my previous Post? Accidentally Replied to myself.
    Sure! Barbel
    1.On Her Majesties Secret Service 2.The Living Daylights 3.license To Kill 4.The Spy Who Loved Me 5.Goldfinger
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    Top looks like Orson Wells.
    Bottom left, Stewart Granger
    Bottom right, Richard Kiel
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • superdaddysuperdaddy englandPosts: 917MI6 Agent
    Can't be. Supperdaddy, he's the next Bond, unless he's going to play Both parts. I know
    he's a talented actor but that might be asking a bit much. :))
    Nothing's to much for our Idris and it's three parts he is also the next Bond girl :))
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    :)) Forgot about that. :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Le SamouraiLe Samourai Honolulu, HIPosts: 573MI6 Agent
    Of all Fleming villains, Blofeld is the one I have a hardest time visualizing. Part of the reason is because of his changing appearance. Also, I never really felt he was as developed of a character of other Bond villains, such as Hugo Drax or Goldfinger.

    That being said, I really like the idea of Frank Langella as Blofeld. He's a great actor, and has a powerful sense of presence. And what a voice!!
    —Le Samourai

    A Gent in Training.... A blog about my continuing efforts to be improve myself, be a better person, and lead a good life. It incorporates such far flung topics as fitness, self defense, music, style, food and drink, and personal philosophy.
    Agent In Training
  • BlackleiterBlackleiter Washington, DCPosts: 5,615MI6 Agent
    superdaddy wrote:
    Nothing's to much for our Idris

    Damn right! :D
    "Felix Leiter, a brother from Langley."
  • superadosuperado Regent's Park West (CaliforniaPosts: 2,656MI6 Agent
    edited November 2013
    Number24 wrote:
    I seem to remember Blofeld was a big, heavyset man with short, black hair. I think Frank Langella and Stellan Skarsgård are the best candidates so far. Lawrence Fishburne is a good actor, but I have problems envisioning a black American with that name.

    Of that bunch, I would think Stellan Skarsgard is the best candidate. Among Blofeld's key characteristics from the book, I think the only ones that should be retained is his size to make him physically formidable and and that he be Germanic in particular or European in general (and non-UK, ala Charles Gray), but most of all I think he should exude an intellectual evil. He should be mature if age is to be a consideration (unlike Le Chiffre, with which it didn't really matter). I think Max Von Sydow made a great Blofeld, though he may be too old like how the age of Curt Jurgen, who was more imposing in earlier years, less so IMO. Now as for the cinematic traditions of Blofeld and being bald, prior up to recent years anyone having the gall to completely shave off their hair made them sinister enough, if not creepy and eccentric, but now every villain, his henchmen, their sons and even their mothers are bald...and tattooed, lol, so the trick for a new blofeld is how to make him look physically imposing, badass but in a refined way (let's not forget Renard and Zao) and yet remarkably unique, a villain in a class of his own.
    "...the purposeful slant of his striding figure looked dangerous, as if he was making quickly for something bad that was happening further down the street." -SMERSH on 007 dossier photo, Ch. 6 FRWL.....
  • screenamescreename Posts: 388MI6 Agent
    Sounds like Marlon Brando to me! :))
  • BunsenPPKBunsenPPK Sydney, AustraliaPosts: 77MI6 Agent
    Barbel wrote:
    Blofeld had hair, Pleasence didn't.
    Blofeld was a big man, Pleasence wasn't.
    Blofeld didn't have a scar, Pleasence did.

    A few more details could be added if necessary.

    Pleasence did not look like Blofeld, and that is not an opinion but a fact. In no way is his portrayal an accurate book-to-film depiction and it is that claim that I am disputing.

    Touche.
    "I think he got the point"
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,334MI6 Agent
    superado wrote:
    Number24 wrote:
    I seem to remember Blofeld was a big, heavyset man with short, black hair. I think Frank Langella and Stellan Skarsgård are the best candidates so far. Lawrence Fishburne is a good actor, but I have problems envisioning a black American with that name.

    Of that bunch, I would think Stellan Skarsgard is the best candidate. Among Blofeld's key characteristics from the book, I think the only ones that should be retained is his size to make him physically formidable and and that he be Germanic in particular or European in general (and non-UK, ala Charles Gray), but most of all I think he should exude an intellectual evil. He should be mature if age is to be a consideration (unlike Le Chiffre, with which it didn't really matter). I think Max Von Sydow made a great Blofeld, though he may be too old like how the age of Curt Jurgen, who was more imposing in earlier years, less so IMO. Now as for the cinematic traditions of Blofeld and being bald, prior up to recent years anyone having the gall to completely shave off their hair made them sinister enough, if not creepy and eccentric, but now every villain, his henchmen, their sons and even their mothers are bald...and tattooed, lol, so the trick for a new blofeld is how to make him look physically imposing, badass but in a refined way (let's not forget Renard and Zao) and yet remarkably unique, a villain in a class of his own.

    I couldn't have written it better myself (other than mentioning than Frank Langella is a very good canidate). I would like to add that Lawrence Fishburn are excelent actors, but not as Blofeld. Like you wrote, Blofeld is of central European origin. It would also seem strange to me seing a black man named Ernst Stavro Blofeld.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    I belive in the best actor for the job. The colour of his skin is of no concern to me at all. I might as well worry about the colour of his eyes or hair. After all Bond is supposed to be six foot two with dark hair, that's not DC but I don't care, many just see him as Bond.
    by the way how are things in the 1950s ;)
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,334MI6 Agent
    I have no problems with a black Leiter or Moneypenny, but I have doubts about Blofeld. Blofeld is so much from an old central European family to me. I could even except a black M, but not Bond or Blofeld. I think it's wrong to assume that etnnicity has no bearing on casting, 'cause it has. I wouldn't freak out if they did cast a black Blofeld or even Bond, but it would feel strange.
  • ThunderpussyThunderpussy Behind you !Posts: 63,792MI6 Agent
    So long as if they do bring Blofeld back they get a decent actor to play him. :D
    "I've been informed that there ARE a couple of QAnon supporters who are fairly regular posters in AJB."
  • Number24Number24 NorwayPosts: 22,334MI6 Agent
    The producers had a different attitude to Felix Leiter. The approach to Felix Leiter until CR was: " He can be perhaps be black, but he can't be a good actor! :))
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