Is the SPECTRE/Blofeld story over?

MilleniumForce

Ok, so a lot of people presume that because Blofeld is still alive, that he and Spectre will return in Bond 25. But now I'm starting to think (and hope) that the Spectre story is over. Here's why:

- Blofeld was originally to be killed. As revealed by the Sony hacks, originally Blofeld was to be shot by Bond on the bridge, concluding the Spectre story. Sony executives saw this as anti climatic, so Bond was arrested instead, and because Sony obviously really want him to return in the sequels. This means that the writers and basically anyone involved in the production wanted the Spectre story to end as well, probably because nobody knew if it would be Craig's last.

- If the writers wanted to kill Blofeld, then they probably haven't planned any sequels relating to the story.

- The whole brothers backstory was a huge misstep. Does anyone actually like this plot point? Continuing the Blofeld story would be a huge mistake. It would be based to much on the fact they were brothers, which is what few people want to see happen after the reception of SP.

- The story, so far, has been very poorly executed. The fact the rights to Spectre only came back to EON in 2013 means the entire development of Spectre until this point is simply saying they were behind the events of the previous films, which is just lazy.

Matt S

If Craig comes back it won't be over. But if there is a new actor, I can't see the story form Spectre returning. I think the only way to bring it back if there is a new Bond would be to reboot the series again. I was always against rebooting the series with Craig, but I would welcome another reboot with a new actor to correct the mistakes made with Craig's run. Craig's films did such a terrible job developing the Bond character as well as SPECTRE and Blofeld that I hope that they come up with a new story. I really hope the SPECTRE/Blofeld story from Craig's films is over, but only so they can start over again.

Number24

I think they can and should keep both the current MI6 regulars and this Blofeld if Craig is replaced. It's too soon for a new reboot, just like it was too soon for the Spiderman reboot (-s). They should not change the series dramatically except of the new Bond actor. The new Bond actor should simply play the Bond of the Craig timeline, just as Lazenby, Moore, Dalton and Brosnan played the Bond of the Connery timeline (more or less ...). That is the Bond who lost Vesper, defeated Quantum and who is now fighting SPECTRE.

Loeffelholz

Agreed; no reboot required IMO. It would not be a bad thing for Eon to deliver a standalone Bond adventure for Actor #7...but I have a hard time imagining that the Blofeld storyline won't continue, especially if they stick with the current writing team ( ): the standard, predictable 'Bond lured out of retirement by Blofeld's escape/the murder of Bond's loved one,' etc.

There's no reason they can't have Tom's Bond deal with Blofeld in #25, but there are also good reasons they ought to leave it alone for at least one film. Regardless, IMO, they should leave the excellent supporting actors in place...just (please) leave them in London.

Number24

Starting out with a standalone adventure for Bond #7 is probably a good idea. They might hint of an organization behind the villan at the end of the movie or in one of the later movies, but following the Craig storyline directly from the start might remind the audience too much of the fact that Craig isn't in the movie.

Chriscoop

Blofeld should definitely be left alone, him escaping in bond 25 would be too similar to Silva escaping, we need that like we need bond going rogue again! I dont mind spectre continuing, but only if it's along the lines of Bond dismantling the organisation. After all are we to imagine all the other spectre agents just packed up and went home?
For bond 25 I would do this in the PTS then leave the meat of the film for a standalone mission fully sanctioned by m given to him in m's office. Madeline need not be even mentioned as only ever tracy and Vesper have that privilege so far.
Unfortunately though I hear Waltz had signed up for two more irrespective of Daniel Craig returning or not. Eventually Blofeld has to meet his end in the garden of death. It's the only way.

Number24

There is no reason to use the same plot as SF. SPECTRE could use extortion to free their leader. Triggering the vulcano under Yellowstone, gigantic tidal wave in the Atlantic caused by triggering vulcano on the Canary Islands are only two scenarioes for this.
Blofeld can also be freed by a double agent inside the MI6. The "brainwashed agent" plot from TMWTGG can be useful here.

Chriscoop

But mi6 losing another villain?? We could do with mi6 and the 00 section getting a bit less incompetent for a while IMHO. And anyway Number24 the British government doesnt negotiate with terrorists or megalomaniacal organisations.

Number24

Strictly speaking it probably isn't MI6 that's holding Blofeld now - it would be the prison system. And if SPECTRE threathened the UK government to destroy the western hemisphere, but the public didn't know I'm sure they would negotiate with terrorists.

Vandrell

If we do get a new actor i hope we get a reboot to go with it because as Matt says, it would give them a chance to fix a few issues with the DC era. To me it feels like EON tried to create a "universe" a la Marvel but to do it they just tapped a few lines into Spectre. I would much prefer it to be like the books were some characters come and go (Felix, Quarrel) and there is mention of other missions to give a sense of continuation but each story feels like a new adventure.

chrisisall

I'd like a reboot. Fresh actor; fresh take. Keep actors that want to stay though. Maybe eventually new SPECTRE & Blofeld. I think Dan's last film was a good ending to his character's saga. -{

CB0012

Forgive me if I beat a dead horse, however I've had to watch DC with the thought that this was a reboot and forget Bond movies even existed before Casino Royale. Story details and such make it impossible to be a true "prequel" to Bond's story since technology and events have evolved in what already took place starting with Connery. Along those lines if Blofeld was to have been killed by DC, it would negate Roger Moore killing him in FYEO.

I thought SPECTRE would have been a perfect way to do get back on track with the excellent ending to Skyfall which left me thinking, "OK enough of the backstory, back to Bond." The brother connection I agree was un-necessary. They over explained something that really didn't need to be explained. Sadly we are in serious need for a reboot of the reboot.

My fear with our favorite character is what I am seeing all over entertainment in general (TV, movies, music) ....there is no more creativity. Everything is a poorly done rehash.

perdogg

It depends what Mission Impossible is doing in the next movie.

Colonel Shatner

MilleniumForce wrote:

- The whole brothers backstory was a huge misstep. Does anyone actually like this plot point? Continuing the Blofeld story would be a huge mistake. It would be based to much on the fact they were brothers, which is what few people want to see happen after the reception of SP.

They weren't blood brothers but more childhood "buddies". But I agree it was kinda forced (like with M and Silva).

- The story, so far, has been very poorly executed. The fact the rights to Spectre only came back to EON in 2013 means the entire development of Spectre until this point is simply saying they were behind the events of the previous films, which is just lazy.

I think we're taking Blofeld's egotistical, unreliable diatribe too much at face value and it seemed like a string of coincidences over the years up to a point (and given how broken and isolated Mr. White, the leader of Quantum, was before committed suicide, one guesses there was a Quantum/SPECTRE power struggle with Blofeld and his cronies seen at Rome filling a vacuum left by the behind the scenes downfall of the Quantum syndicate).

EDIT - and in later films with SPECTRE we don't necessarily need Blofeld and SPECTRE as a group can be its own menace and alongside the twin syndicate of Quantum, they have that "cut off its head and another one grows back in its place!" vibe, like the similar HYDRA group does from the MCU.

walther p99

I hope so, I found the inclusion of the Spectre organization largely redundant since Quantum seemed to be established as the new age Spectre. As for Blofeld himself I hope he doesn't make a return since he was such a lackluster and boring Villian.

Colonel Shatner

I found Christoph Waltz genuinely creepy but also more funny than Silva, but a little underused and with sense of being too remote, too powerful a mastermind.

welshguy34

It's only just the beginning. SPECTRE will return, although there might be another stand alone film made first.