25 Mind-Blowing James Bond Facts You Need To Know
14. Blofeld Was Killed To Spite A Studio
After appearing in the films for 18 years, Bond's nemesis, Ernst Stavro Blofeld was killed off in the 1981 film, For Your Eyes Only.
Bond defeated Blofeld by dropping him down a chimney. Many fans found it insulting that the series killed off its biggest villain in such an unceremonious way. In fact, this scene didn’t affect the plot and is often perceived as a gimmick.
However, this scene’s true purpose is much pettier.
See, the official Bond films were made by the company, EON Productions. When EON Productions learned another studio was making a Bond film called Never Say Never Again, they were worried it would eclipse the official series for two big reasons; it would star Sean Connery as James Bond and the main villain would be Blofeld.
EON Productions had to find a way to derail the production somehow. After much deliberation, they put Blofeld in the first scene of their own movie and had him killed off. Believing audiences would have no understanding of the politics between the film companies, EON assumed viewers would believe Blofeld to be dead, and couldn’t be used in Never Say Never Again.
Although Blofeld still appears in Never Say Never Again, he looks nothing like how he is depicted in previous films. Much to EON Productions delight, Never Say Never Again made little money and was panned by critics.