After a three film build up, Waltz was introduced in James Bond’s Spectre as Blofeld, 007’s ultimate nemesis.

By the film’s end the villain was captured, so surely he’d be returning for Craig’s fifth and final outing?

But Waltz has outright denied his involvement in recent interviews, saying it’s the tradition to have a different villain.

That is standard for Bond movies, but what if Blofeld will play a minor role or this new character was his puppet?

After all, this wouldn’t be the first time Waltz has warded off speculation surrounding his Bond villain.

Back when he was announced as the main antagonist in Spectre, he was listed as playing Franz Oberhauser.

However many fans weren’t having this and claimed he was in fact playing Ernst Stavro Blofeld – something Waltz repeatedly outright denied to keep the truth a surprise.

In one interview with GQ magazine he said: “That is absolutely untrue. That rumour started on the Internet, and the Internet is a pest. The name of my character is Franz Oberhauser.”

While he told Cinema Blend: “First of all, on what basis? You know, it’s silly. It’s plain silly…So that’s done with — the Blofeld question. Why would they make a movie that they’ve done before?”

Of course fans will remember he was eventually revealed to be Blofeld in Spectre, even being given his famous scar by Bond.

So who’s to say Waltz isn’t going along the same approach once again to surprise fans?

James Bond 25 will be released in UK cinemas in November 2019.