With five films in his tenure now, Daniel Craig has proven himself to be a James Bond that will be remembered for all time. Just like the Bonds of the past, Craig had his fair share of villains who stole the show with their iconic performances and bombastic plots.
From Casino Royale to Daniel Craig’s final outing in No Time To Die, the villains tend to fill each scene that they are in with many lines. Whether they are threatening James Bond before torture or simply explaining their villainous scheme, their quotes are what helps them be so remembered as rivals.
Ernst Stavro Blofeld
“Now Your Enemy Is My Enemy.”
Fans of the franchise were rather divided on the Christophe Waltz portrayal of Blofeld, mainly due to the twist that he is the brother of James Bond. However, the villain did get a chance to briefly shine in No Time To Die when the brothers reunite again.
In a very classic style of banter between the two, Blofeld asks, “Now your enemy is my enemy. How did that happen?” With Waltz keeping the calm yet creepy performance he delivered in Spectre while Bond retorts with a smarmy, “Well, you live long enough.” Which they share a chuckle over, showing better chemistry between the hero and villain than before.
Le Chiffre
“Anyone Want To Play Poker Now?”
The always-talented Mads Mikkelsen brought a very human quality to Le Chiffre in Casino Royale, making the character feel more grounded than most Bond villains. One of the best examples comes when James Bond orders a very specifically mixed martini which causes all of the other players to order the same thing.
One by one, they all order which irritates Le Chiffre thus making him respond with, “That’s it? Anyone want to play poker now?” It mixes humor into a tense situation and shows that James Bond can do as much to a villain with words as he can with a Walther PPK.
Lyutsifer Safin
“And Here I Am: Their Invisible God”
In No Time To Die, Lyutsifer Safin’s plan is not only somewhat realistic but it’s one of the more frightening plots. He wants to spread a nanobot virus across the world that can spread through a single touch and kill those he deems unworthy of a perfect world.
Obviously, James Bond doesn’t agree with this, saying it’s removing people’s right to choose. So Safin gives a speech about how most people would rather sit back and let others in power choose for them like a God. Safin coldly and smugly states, “And here I am: their invisible god. Sneaking under their skin.” It shows Safin’s twisted mentality but also how fearsome he is as a terrorist.
Le Chiffre
“The Only Question Remains: Will You Yield, In Time?”
Over the many years, James Bond has suffered through many different tortures, but none quite have reached the levels of cringe-worthy as when he was being whipped in the groin in Casino Royale. Le Chiffre states that he doesn’t understand elaborate tortures, as he hits Bond with one hard hit.
He lets Bond know that enough hits like that and there won’t be much left, “The only question remains: will you yield? In time?” It perfectly shows again, Le Chiffre is as human as Bond and he doesn’t enjoy this kind of thing, but he’s willing to do anything to get the money to pay off those that he owes.
Raoul Silva
“No…But That Is.”
It’s arguable that the fact that Silva was able to time the arrival of a subway to ambush Bond is a little ridiculous. However, Silva and Bond make up for it with a well-timed bit of banter when an explosion creates a hole that completely misses Bond.
Bond casually asks, “I do hope that wasn’t for me.” Silva just laughs it off as he responds, “No…but that is.” As a subway comes careening through, forcing James Bond to run. It’s a little over the top but it’s executed with the right style that it’s easy to overlook, especially since Javier Bardem’s performance is so well delivered.
Lyutsifer Safin
“I Could Be Speaking to My Own Reflection.”
James Bond and Safin do not have many scenes together, but their first is long and filled to the brim with great lines from both characters. Safin’s introduction goes as, “James Bond. A history of violence. License to kill. Vendetta with Ernst Blofeld. In love with Madeleine Swann. I could be speaking to my own reflection.”
This follows a similar but equally effective trope as Silva from Skyfall or even Trevalyen from GoldenEye where the villain is almost like an anti-Bond. Safin makes it blatantly clear while also delivering a bit of fan service with his monologue. It’s one of many things that help Safin become a stand-out villain.
Raoul Silva
“Mommy Was Very Bad.”
In a refreshing twist when it comes to Bond villains, James Bond is actually the least of the villain’s concerns when it comes to their overall plan. Silva in Skyfall is more interested in getting even with Judi Dench’s M than anyone else, seeing how she betrayed him when Silva was an operative under her.
Silva even tries to convince Bond that M is the villain in this story, “What is this is not betrayal? She sent you off to me, knowing you’re not ready, knowing you’re likely to die. Mommy was very bad.” It helps solidify Silva’s slightly empathetic hatred for M while continuing to showcase his rather charismatic persona.
Lyutsifer Safin
“I Just Want To Be… Tidier.”
Rather than the usual quips and smarmy remarks, James Bond actually does his best to reason with Safin. It shows Bond’s maturity now that he’s older but proves to be fruitless in the end, telling Safinabout the history of those who play God. “And you don’t?” Safin remarks.
“We both eradicate people to make the world a better place. I just want to be…tidier. Without collateral.” All while he creepily holds and caresses Bond’s daughter, showing a villain actually having control over the situation rather than giving a monologue that will just result in Bond getting the upper hand. Safin controls the board and it’s his game, James has to play things smart.
Mr. White
“You’re A Kite Dancing In a Hurricane, Mr. Bond.”
As a whole, Mr. White and Mr. Greene from Quantum Of Solace were some of the more lackluster Bond villains. However, Mr. White did return in Spectre to help finish the storyline left from Casino Royale and Quantum Of Solace. With his last breaths, White tells Bond about his daughter and her connection to Spectre.
Finally, he says, “You’re a kite dancing in a hurricane, Mr. Bond.” Before putting a gun to his own chin, “So long.” It ends a longtime rivalry between the two while also giving a fitting end to the character of White. There is even semi-mutual respect between the two as White dies right before him.
Lyutsifer Safin
“Now We Are Both Poisoned With Heartbreak.”
Everyone knows the cliche formula: James Bond always beats the villain and goes off into the sunset with a girl. With No Time To Die, Lyutsifer Safin is the first villain who can truly say they killed James Bond. In a final confrontation, Safin infects Bond with the incurable virus, making him unable to touch Madeleine Swann and their daughter without killing them.
“Now we are both poisoned with heartbreak. Two heroes in a tragedy of our own making.” Showing that not only does Safin believe himself to be the hero of the story, but he’s willing to take any victory. He practically shoves his killing of Bond into the agent’s face, which is why Bond firing three rounds into Safin’s head feels warranted.
