Character information
Name(s):	Dr. Kananga
Alias(es):	Mr. Big
Died:	1973, San Monique
Hair/eye color:	Brown (Eyes), Black (Hair)
Height/weight:	6'3" (Height), -- (Weight)
Occupation:	Crime Kingpin
Affiliation:	Independent
Status:	Deceased - Exploded
Behind the scenes
Role:	Main Villain
Portrayed By:	Yaphet Kotto
First Appearance:	Live and Let Die (Film)
Last Appearance:	Live and Let Die (Film)

Mr. Big is the alias of the main villain in the novel Live and Let Die and its 1973 film adaptation. In the novel his real name is Buonapart Ignace Gallia, whereas the film names him Dr. Kananga. The novel and film version of Mr. Big are extremely different bordering on the film character being a completely new character altogether.

In Fleming's original novel, Mr. Big is a SMERSH operative and head of the "Black Widow Voodoo Cult". His scheme is to smuggle and launder 17th century gold coins for SMERSH. Whereas in the film, "Mr. Big" is merely an alias for Dr. Kananga, a drug baron and dictator of a fictitious Carribbean island named San Monique. In the film adaptation, he is played by actor Yaphet Kotto.

Film biography

In the film, Mr. Big is a business man and owner of a chain of restaurants in New York City and New Orleans called "Fillet of Soul". Big is also the head of one of the most vicious street gangs in Harlem. On the fictional tiny island of San Monique, Big is known by his alter ego Dr. Kananga. Kananga is the de facto dictator of the island and thus has certain diplomatic immunities in the United States easily allowing him to smuggle drugs into the country. Kananga is named after the real-life owner of the crocodile farm, who was also the stunt man who jumped along the crocodiles' backs.

Scheme

Through Big's alter ego, Kananga, he grows vast quantities of opium in San Monique that are covered by large camouflage nets and guarded by the mystical Baron Samedi. Using the poppies, Kananga hopes to flood the U.S. market with two tonnes of free heroin distributed through his legitimate restaurants, thus forcing other drug dealers out of business. In doing so he believes that he would double the amount of addicts, which he would be able to exploit with his new found monopoly.

Kananga is thwarted by his voodoo high priestess, Solitaire, and James Bond. During the final sequence, where Kananga attempts to lower Bond and Solitaire into a shark pool, Bond forces Kananga to swallow a pellet of compressed air. The pellet unloads in Kananga's throat, causing him to inflate like a balloon and eventually explode.

Henchmen

Tee Hee

Whisper

Baron Samedi

Adam

• Although not technically considered a henchman, Solitaire works for Mr. Big/Dr. Kananga as a psychic, and uses Tarot cards to allow Mr. Big to see what and who might be coming for him.

Gallery