Since Christoph Waltz signed on to star in Spectre about a year ago, there has been a very specific question surrounding his character and whether or not he is the new version of Ernst Stavro Blofeld. Over the last 12 months, the actor has been asked repeatedly about this possible secret identity – each time out having to dismiss the idea. You’d think that he would eventually tire of all the speculation, but apparently he wasn’t frustrated at all by the situation because he doesn’t really care about the publicity aspect of being an actor.
The two-time Oscar winner was present at a special Spectre press event this past weekend in Mexico City, and it was while I was sitting down one-on-one with him that he explained why he was so easily able to dismiss the rumors and talk about his part. While asking about maintaining secrecy, I suggested that it would be frustrating, but Waltz cut me off to explain that he didn’t feel that way at all. Said the actor,
No. Why would I be frustrated? No, no, no. I don’t know if it’s a mistake, but in reference to me it is a mistake. You think that publicity is, per se, valuable. Not necessarily. If it’s applied in the right spot it might become valuable, but to run around trumpeting what it’s all about and what I think and what I feel, or what I had for breakfast? I don’t think that’s really, really constructive.
You can watch our exchange in the video below:
When the official cast of Spectre was announced in December of 2014, Christoph Waltz’s character was introduced as being named Franz Oberhauser, but footage singling him out as the leader of the titular organization has led to constant conversations about the villain actually being James Bond’s greatest and most notorious nemesis. The rumor has been constantly denied by the filmmakers and stars, but we won’t soon forget all of the lies surrounding Benedict Cumberbatch’s role in Star Trek Into Darkness. Audiences will just have to wait and see how it all plays out.
The good news is that movie-goers won’t exactly have to wait long. The latest 007 adventure is arriving in theaters this Friday, November 6th.
