Christoph Waltz has denied he will play Blofeld in 'Spectre'.

The Oscar-winning actor has been cast as a baddie - with the name Franz Oberhauser - in the eagerly-awaited new James Bond movie but has dismissed speculation that his character's alter ego is actually the iconic cat-stroking villain Blofeld, who's appeared in several earlier films.

Asked about the speculation, Christoph 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.''

The 58-year-old star also revealed he hesitated before accepting the role in the Sam Mendes-directed movie, which is set to open later this year.

He told GQ magazine: ''I did, yes (think twice). I always hesitate ... You ask yourself, hang on: what James Bond are we talking about?

''The thing about Spectre is that it is not the work of hack writers.

''It does not have a hack director. The actors are not hams. The action sequences in Mexico are extravagant to say the least.

''The scenes in Austria are traditional Bond action in the snow. These films with Daniel Craig have shifted the tone. They don't depend on a set formula that forces actors simply to go through the motions.''