Renard (James Bond)

Renard is a male film villain who features in the James Bond movies.

Biography

Viktor Lavrentievich Zokas was trained by the KGB as an assassin, but was dismissed due to his mental instability. With the cessation of the Cold War and the political climate changes, he became a terrorist, with the sole purpose of spreading chaos whereupon he came to be known by the alias of Renard, the Anarchist.. During a mission to dispatch Renard, MI6 agent 009 tracked him to Syria and shot him in the head. Renard survived the attack, but the bullet could not be removed from his head, and was steadily working its way through his brain toward the cerebral cortex. As it moved, it steadily deprived Renard of his ability to taste, smell, and (most notably) feel. However, even though the bullet will inevitably kill him, because he is unable to feel pain, he is able to push his physical limits further and further each day, granting him strength far beyond what a normal human being can take as he no longer registers the damage.

Some time prior to the events of the film, Renard kidnapped Elektra King, a billionaire heiress, and held her for ransom in Cyprus. When Elektra's father refused Renard's ransom demands, she decided to collaborate with and seduce Renard. She even went as far as to mutilate her own earlobe, as Renard loved her too much to harm her. Unbeknownst to MI6, Renard was aiding Elektra in her oil pipeline scheme in a last ditch effort to commit the ultimate act of chaos: killing 8 million innocent people (including himself, stating more than once that he considers himself to be already dead due to the bullet) in a nuclear blast, triggering a nuclear meltdown which would destroy Istanbul.

Afterwards, Renard was living with an indeterminate life expectancy, as the bullet could reach his cerebral cortex at any time and kill him. However, according to MI6 doctor Molly Warmflash, until the bullet kills him, Renard is expected to continue due to his inability to feel pain, allowing him to drive himself beyond ordinary physical limits. This unique trait is demonstrated in Renard's first on-screen appearance when he handles scalding pieces of volcanic rock in his hand without any sign of discomfort. After her 'escape' from Renard, Elektra claimed to be traumatized, faking Stockholm syndrome.

Elektra joins forces with Renard in a scheme to take control of the world's oil market. They launch an attack on MI6 headquarters in London, which results in the death of Elektra's father. Originally, it is thought their target is her family's oil pipeline, but it is later revealed that Renard and Elektra damaged the pipeline to cover their real target of disrupting all oil supplies except for those belonging to the King family. Renard hijacks a Russian nuclear submarine and intends to introduce weapons-grade plutonium into the submarine's nuclear reactor, causing a nuclear meltdown. This would happen in the Bosphorus at Istanbul, which would contaminate the city and the Bosporus for decades, preventing any shipping from the Black Sea. Shipments of Caspian Sea oil via all existing pipelines except for the King pipeline which terminated on Turkey's Mediterranean coast would have been affected.

Meanwhile, Elektra takes M hostage for Renard and captures Bond, but is ultimately killed by 007 after she tells Renard to launch the submarine on its mission. Bond boards the sub and confronts Renard, revealing Elektra's death during the confrontation. The latter locks himself inside the reactor so that Bond cannot get to him. Just as the reactor is about to go into a critical state due to Renard's plutonium-laced fuel rod, Bond causes the reactor to shoot the rod out of the core at a high speed and into Renard's abdomen- his last words being to inform Renard that Elektra is waiting for him-, thus killing him and stopping the reaction.

Overview

Personality and attributes

In appearance, Renard was a human male of Caucasian descent who stood at a height of approximately 188 cm, possessing a rugged and physically fit build. He was characterized by a weathered, intense facial expression and a distinctive, completely bald head that showcased a visible entry wound on his scalp. This scar marked the spot where a bullet remained lodged in his brain, a feature that defined his physiological state and contributed to his gaunt, haunted look. His eyes often betrayed a lack of physical sensation, reflecting the neurological damage caused by his injury, while his jaw was typically set in a grim, determined line. Regarding his clothing, he was frequently seen in dark, practical attire suited for clandestine operations, often wearing a black or dark-coloured turtleneck sweater paired with a rugged, dark-grey military-style jacket or a heavy leather coat. He completed his functional ensemble with dark trousers and sturdy black leather boots, maintaining a look that was devoid of ornamentation and focused entirely on utility and concealment during his activities as an international terrorist.

Renard was defined by a chilling sense of fearlessness that stemmed directly from his unique physiological condition, as the bullet in his brain slowly killed his senses along with his capacity for pain. He operated with a fatalistic resolve, viewing his impending death not as a weakness, but as a liberating force that made him an unstoppable instrument of chaos. This absence of physical sensation bled into his emotional state, leaving him cold, detached, and increasingly disconnected from the human experience, save for his fanatical devotion to Elektra King. He possessed a ruthless, singular focus on his mission, often exhibiting a dark sense of irony about his own condition, as he knew that every passing day made him stronger and less vulnerable even as it brought him closer to total paralysis. This combination of nihilism and obsessive loyalty transformed him into a man who felt he had nothing left to lose, allowing him to face certain destruction with a calm, unnerving confidence that unsettled both his allies and his enemies.

Powers and abilities

Renard displayed a unique set of physical abilities derived from a neurological condition caused by a bullet lodged in his brain. He exhibited a total immunity to physical pain, which allowed him to handle extremely hot objects, such as volcanic rocks, with his bare hands without flinching or sustaining immediate psychological distress. This condition granted him a progressive increase in physical strength as his nervous system continued to break down, enabling him to perform feats of endurance that would typically incapacitate a human being. He showed proficiency in the use of high-caliber firearms and tactical explosives, demonstrating the technical skill required to dismantle or arm nuclear warheads. His skill set included expertise in kidnapping, psychological manipulation, and the coordination of large-scale terrorist operations. He also exhibited competence in pilotage and maritime navigation, as well as the ability to operate under extreme environmental pressure within confined underwater vessels.

Renard further displayed an absolute lack of self-preservation, which allowed him to operate with a reckless efficiency that made him impervious to traditional interrogation or intimidation. He exhibited the ability to push his body to the absolute limits of human endurance, performing strenuous physical labor and combat maneuvers long after a standard individual would have succumbed to exhaustion or shock. His skill set included a mastery of high-stakes hostage negotiation and the strategic use of global oil infrastructure to exert political leverage. He showed a high degree of proficiency in the tactical deployment of miniature submersibles and the navigation of high-pressure pipelines, demonstrating the technical knowledge required to survive in hazardous industrial environments. Additionally, he exhibited a calculated command over his subordinates, maintaining their loyalty through a combination of shared ideology and his own perceived invulnerability. His mental focus was characterized by a singular, obsessive dedication to his objectives, which, combined with his inability to feel physical suffering, made him a highly unpredictable and persistent threat in close-quarters combat and long-term planning.

Notes

• Renard was portrayed by Scottish actor Robert Carlyle where he featured in the setting of the James Bond universe.

Appearances

• The World is Not Enough:

External Links

• James Bond Wiki Entry

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