Dr. Alvarez

For the character played by Gerardo Albarrán, see Alvarez.

Alvarez
Character information
Title/rank	Doctor
Died	March 2002, La Clinica Alvarez, Isla de Los Organos, Cuba
Hair	Grey, receding
Eyes	Brown
Nationality	Cuban
Occupation	Gene therapist Clinic director
Affiliation	La Clinica Alvarez
Status	Deceased; shot by Giacinta Johnson
Behind the scenes
Role	Henchman
Portrayed by	Simón Andreu
First seen	Die Another Day (film)
Last seen	Die Another Day (novelisation)

"I like to think of myself as an artist."

― Dr. Alvarez

Dr. Alvarez was the fictional corrupt director of the eponymously-named DNA replacement therapy clinic, La Clinica Alvarez, on the Isla de Los Organos, Cuba, who helped North Korean military officer and smuggler, Tan-Sun Moon, to change identity. A supporting antagonist portrayed by Spanish actor, Simón Andreu, he briefly appeared in the 2002 James Bond film, Die Another Day. The character also appeared in Raymond Benson's accompanying novelisation.

Biography

Dr. Alvarez is the director of the eponymously-named gene therapy clinic, La Clinica Alvarez, and is a supposed leader in his field. Ostensibly increasing the life expectancy of Cuban officials as well as any non-Cuban who could afford it, namely super-rich Westerners, the doctor also offers DNA replacement therapy to a variety of criminal clientele, providing them with completely new identities. Viewing himself as an artist, Alvarez's painful 'therapy' involved killing off the patient's bone marrow and wiping the DNA slate clean; creating a 'blank canvas' which could be subsequently molded into almost any configuration. To achieve this, he used DNA harvested from those whom he claims will "not be missed". It may be implied that the communist regime of Cuba has supplied him with political prisoners to experiment on in order to keep his longevity research an ongoing concern, although another likelihood (or both possibilities) was that Alvarez kidnapped (or purchased from human traffickers) orphans, runaways, and vagrants.

While this seemed like a scientific breakthrough to change one's DNA, such therapy came at a physical cost - that being pain and irrepairable insomnia. The cost was also financial in nature, as Alvarez charged a hefty two million dollar price-tag for his illicit work. Notable clients included a rogue North Korean military officer, Colonel Tan-Sun Moon, and his accomplice, Zao. The former was provided the identity of a British Caucasian male called Gustav Graves, whereas the latter was under therapy to become a German Caucasian.

During March 2002, an undercover NSA agent tasked with assassinating Zao, Giacinta 'Jinx' Johnson, met with Alvarez at his clinic under the guise of arranging gene therapy. In a same time, James Bond learned what Alvarez did for Zao and infiltrated the clinic to meet him for a questioning. Jinx finally shot Alvarez to his death with a suppressed pistol after hearing about the therapy, informing the 'artist' that "most artists are only appreciated after they’re dead" and proceeded to extract information about the Korean from his computer. However, after this, Zao escaped both Jinx and Bond despite their efforts to stop him.

Alternate Continuities

Die Another Day (novelisation)

Appearing in Raymond Benson's novelization of the film, Alvarez is described differently to his film persona; as a middle-aged Cuban with thick-rimmed glasses and a bushy moustache. Aside from a difference in physical appearance, the character is almost identical to his cinematic counterpart.

Gallery