10 Movie Villains Who Unexpectedly Survived Franchises

The Bond franchise is generally very good at mopping up its villains and ensuring that, more often than not, they're given a memorable killing-off at the hands of 007.

But there is one notable exception, and that's Irma Bunt, a supporting antagonist in On Her Majesty's Secret Service who serves as the ruthless henchwoman of Blofeld (Telly Savalas).

Bunt isn't some throwaway goon, though - she's responsible for gunning down Bond's (George Lazenby) bride Tracy di Vicenzo (Diana Rigg) at the very end of the movie.

The original plan was indeed for Bunt to resurface in Diamonds Are Forever as 007 seeks vengeance upon her, but real life tragically cut Bunt's tenure short, as actress Ilse Steppat passed away mere days after the film's premiere.

And so, rather than recast Bunt, the producers decided to quietly retire the character, meaning that for all intents and purposes, she got away with murdering James Bond's wife and outlasted even Blofeld himself.