Blofeld Casting Ideas
hehadlotsofguts
Durham England Posts: 2,111MI6 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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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
How about as Bond!
to be up against Craig.
This is nonsense.
Donald Pleasence, in YOLT or any other film, looked nothing like Blofeld in YOLT or any other book.
Bruce Willis
Yippie-ki-yeh, Mr Bond.
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.
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.
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.
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"
Sounds like Danny De Vito...without the big, and the hair...
he's a talented actor but that might be asking a bit much.
Blofelds last Appearance is in the Line of Jimmy Savvile
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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!!
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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.
Touche.
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.
by the way how are things in the 1950s