Blofeld Actor Christoph Waltz Is Returning To Bond 25, After All

Blofeld actor Christoph Waltz has been spotted on the set of Bond 25 and has filmed scenes for the new movie, according to the Daily Mail. The actor was rumored to be returning for the upcoming film a few months ago, and it seems those rumors were accurate.

When Waltz was spotted at Pinewood Studios in London, he reportedly put his fingers to his lips and said: "You haven't seen me. I'm not here." The Mail also claims an executive on the film told the newspaper "there's unfinished business between Bond and Blofeld."

The character is a longtime Bond villain perhaps most famously portrayed by Donald Pleasance in You Only Live Twice (1967) and Telly Savalas in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969). After legal disputes forced the character away from the franchise for over 30 years, he returned in 2015's Spectre, this time played by Waltz. The villain's helicopter is shot down by Bond during the film's finale, but he survives and Bond spares him before walking away.

Bond 25, which is still untitled, was once rumored to be called Shatterhand--a reference to one of Blofeld's aliases in the 007 books. However, producer Barbara Broccoli later indicated this was inaccurate. The rumors were further cast into doubt after Rami Malek was confirmed to be the film's primary villain. This latest development suggests Malek and Waltz will share Bond's ire in the movie.

Other actors to reprise their roles for Bond 25 include Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes (M), Naomie Harris (Eve Moneypenny), Lea Seydoux (Dr Madeleine Swann), Jeffrey Wright (Felix Leiter), and Ben Whishaw (Q). The film, whose first footage was revealed just recently, is set for release on April 3, 2020.