It’s always a treat to see 007 take command of the blackjack tables in Licence to Kill – his one and only cinematic experience with the game. Bond’s sky-high bets naturally draw the attention of casino owner Franz Sanchez, though it’s a bit surprising Sanchez doesn’t immediately recognize the man who quite literally ruined his morning commute in a “plane-catching” operation earlier in the movie. Still, Sanchez is a patient and devious villain. He brushes off Bond’s veiled threat in the above response to the “business” he’s in. True to form, he plays a successful long game by gaining Bond’s trust and friendship, though not quite as well as Bond plays blackjack.
October 14, 2025 – 10:07 AM UTC
In Thunderball, like in most Bond adventures, the villain checks all the classic boxes: wealthy, ruthless, and just a little too enthusiastic about being a psychopath. This time, Emilio Largo gives us a masterclass in twisted showmanship. Moments before torturing Domino for information, he practically beams as he presents his tools: a lit cigarette “for…

