Acting, like exploring uncharted lands or diving into the depths of the ocean, is an exhilarating adventure filled with twists and turns. Even the most celebrated stars have encountered their fair share of surprises and movies that didn’t quite live up to the hype. It’s a bit disheartening when an actor lands an incredible antagonist role in a not-so-incredible movie, as it’s widely known that stepping into the shoes of the villain can be a wild and thrilling experience.
Naturally, these films that missed the mark may not have left a lasting impact or caused any major heartache. However, for those who revel in the magic of cinema, it’s crucial not to let these hidden gems go unnoticed. So, let’s embark on a journey together and uncover some well-known actors who have fearlessly embraced forgotten villain roles in less-than-stellar films.
1. Julia Roberts In ‘Mirror Mirror’
Mirror Mirror is a 2012 adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale Snow White. In this version, Julia Roberts steps away from her usual rom-com roles to play Queen Clementianna, the wicked stepmother to Snow White, portrayed by Lily Collins. Roberts clearly has a blast with her character, hamming it up and even advising herself as the evil reflection in Clementianna’s magic mirror.
Unfortunately, in a year that also saw the release of Snow White and the Huntsman, Mirror Mirror ended up being a forgettable adaptation of the beloved story. While it’s not the worst movie out there, it lacks the originality to truly make a mark. Director Tarsem Singh chose Roberts for the stepmother role because he wanted a relatable character, revealing that this version of the character is more insecure than truly evil. Although Roberts’s attempt at playing a villain didn’t quite hit the mark, she can always rely on her talent as a leading lady in romantic films.
2. Cate Blanchett In ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’
Many Indiana Jones fans prefer to consider the franchise ending with Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. However, Harrison Ford’s iconic character made a comeback almost a decade later in 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Even though the film made a good amount of money, it is generally seen as an unpopular addition to the saga, especially when compared to the first three adventures.
In this installment, Cate Blanchett takes on the role of the villain, Soviet agent Irina Spalko. She portrays a fierce and feisty foe who gives Indy a run for his money. Regardless of how other fans feel, Blanchett, being an Indiana Jones fan herself, was thrilled to be a part of the film. In an interview with Hollywood.com, she expressed her excitement by saying, “To have that moment of stepping through into the film of my childhood, the most loved film of my childhood, was quite extraordinary. It was exactly what I expected, in the best possible way.”
3. Sean Connery In ‘The Avengers’
Unfortunately, Sean Connery didn’t get to play a villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Avengers, which would have been quite something. Instead, he took on the role of Sir August de Wynter in the 1998 film The Avengers, which was actually based on a British spy show from the 1960s. In this movie, Connery plays a weather scientist who turns out to be the villain, going against British agents John Steed (Ralph Fiennes) and Emma Peel (Uma Thurman). His plan involves extorting world leaders by claiming he can control the weather using a program called the Prospero.
The movie itself has a very tongue-in-cheek approach and pokes fun at the over-the-top plots often found in spy stories. However, both the audience and critics failed to appreciate the humor, resulting in The Avengers performing poorly at the box office. Despite this, there is one scene that stands out, where de Wynter holds a meeting for his company, Wonderland Weather, and everyone is dressed in fuzzy teddy bear costumes – including Connery himself.
4. Gary Oldman In ‘Lost in Space’
In 1998’s Lost in Space, the story takes a classic sci-fi approach. The Robinson family’s mission is to save humanity from extinction by finding a new habitable planet. Unfortunately, their plans are foiled by the evil Dr. Zachary Smith, played by Gary Oldman. Dr. Smith sabotages their expedition, causing a major setback.
As the movie progresses, Dr. Smith encounters a space spider that bites him. This bite leads to his transformation into Spider Smith, a villainous character with the intention of killing the Robinsons and creating a planet filled with spider-human hybrids like himself.
However, unlike the 1960s TV show that served as its inspiration, the film adaptation of Lost in Space did not receive much love from viewers. Many felt that it lost the charm and campiness that made the show enjoyable. Instead, the movie seemed to try too hard to be something more than just a fun and family-friendly sci-fi adventure.
When asked why he chose to appear in films like Lost in Space, especially considering his esteemed reputation as an actor, Gary Oldman explained in an interview with GQ that sometimes one has to take on work that might go against their instincts. He emphasized the importance of constantly staying active and taking on different projects.
Fortunately, Oldman has had numerous opportunities to showcase his acting abilities in more serious and critically acclaimed roles, such as his Academy Award-winning performance in Darkest Hour.
5. Samuel L. Jackson In ‘The Spirit’
Comic book legend Frank Miller co-directed Sin City in 2005, and he decided to take on The Spirit, based on Will Eisner’s pulpy superhero, in 2008. Miller used the same visual style as Sin City, which gave the film a comic book feel. However, the movie failed to resonate with audiences and critics. While it was visually stunning, many felt that the heavy noir influences took away from the characters and story.
In the film, Samuel L. Jackson portrays the villain known as The Octopus, while Gabriel Macht plays The Spirit. Jackson fully embraces the campiness of his character, who is an archetypal villain seeking to destroy The Spirit’s city with cloned henchmen and ruthless tactics. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jackson was Miller’s top choice for the role, and his performance is filled with passion. Unfortunately, the film as a whole didn’t make a significant impact.
6. Patrick Stewart In ‘Masterminds’
Patrick Stewart, known for his heroic roles, showed his excellent villainous side in the 2015 film Green Room. However, he had the opportunity to showcase his villainous skills earlier in the 1997 movie Masterminds. In this action comedy, Stewart played Rafe Bentley, a greedy security consultant who takes over his stepsister’s school and demands ransom from the wealthy parents of the students. The film aimed to capture the spirit of ’90s movies where kids take charge, but it failed to impress both the audience and critics.
Reflecting on Masterminds years later, Stewart shared a laugh about it. He recalled how everyone involved in the film believed they were creating the next Home Alone and expected to become incredibly wealthy. Despite the movie’s failure, Stewart maintains a good sense of humor about the flop.
7. Dwayne Johnson In ‘Doom’
Video game movies have come a long way. In the past, they were mostly just quick money grabs based on popular franchises. Take the 2005 movie Doom, for example. The game itself is pretty straightforward: Doomguy, also known as Reaper and played by Karl Urban, fights a bunch of creepy aliens on Mars to an awesome soundtrack.
Dwayne Johnson, who was still going by “The Rock” back then, plays Sarge, the leader of the marines sent to investigate the infected research facility in space. As the movie progresses, Sarge gets infected and transforms into a powerful and deranged villain. Reaper has to face off against him in an epic showdown. While Doom may not be one of Johnson’s most impressive projects, it certainly hasn’t hindered his successful career. He has gone on to star in many action-packed and hilarious movies.
8. Parker Posey In ‘Blade: Trinity’
Blade: Trinity, the third installment of the Blade trilogy starring Wesley Snipes, doesn’t quite receive the same level of acclaim as its predecessors. The production of the film was plagued by conflicts between Snipes and director David S. Goyer, and this tension is evident in the final product. Unlike the first two movies, Blade: Trinity lacks the enjoyable action-horror vibe that fans loved.”
Parker Posey, who plays the role of Danica Talos, the film’s antagonist, does her best with the character. Danica Talos frames Blade for multiple murders and awakens Dracula in the hopes of using his powers to eliminate vampire weaknesses. Posey, however, didn’t have any grand illusions about the role or expect any awards for it. In an interview with a journalist, she said, “I took on this role to have some fun and embrace a big-budget, silly project – something I don’t typically get to do. I don’t have the assets for it, you know? So I’m just showing up, delivering my lines, and enjoying myself.” It’s clear that Posey approached the role with the right mindset, not allowing it to overshadow her career in acclaimed offbeat films like Best in Show and Beau is Afraid.
9. Helena Bonham Carter In ‘Terminator Salvation’
Dr. Serena Kogan, portrayed by Helena Bonham Carter, may have had a small role in Terminator Salvation (2009), but it was undeniably significant. Dr. Kogan, a scientist specializing in cybernetics, conducts experiments on Marcus Wright’s body and inadvertently provides the research that enables Skynet to unleash the machines against humanity. Interestingly, Bonham Carter also portrays Skynet, with the system adopting Kogan’s appearance on computer screens.
It’s worth noting that Bonham Carter only landed the role because Tilda Swinton had to depart the production. However, she gladly accepted the part due to her then-partner Tim Burton’s admiration for the Terminator franchise.
Regrettably, like many Terminator sequels following Judgment Day, Salvation failed to captivate fans who believed the series had strayed too far from its original allure. The absence of Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie didn’t help either, despite his likeness being digitally incorporated. Although Bonham Carter’s role in Salvation may not be the most memorable, she has certainly made a name for herself portraying villains, such as the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland and Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films.
10. Stanley Tucci In ‘Jack the Giant Slayer’
Stanley Tucci’s talent shines through in every production he takes part in, regardless of the quality of the material. He approaches each project with the same level of dedication and enthusiasm, treating it as if it were the biggest blockbuster of the season. Even though 2013’s Jack the Giant Slayer may not offer anything particularly groundbreaking or essential, being an adaptation of the well-known fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, Tucci manages to bring some life to an otherwise forgettable film.
In the movie, Tucci plays the role of Lord Roderick, the typical villain found in fairy tales, who is determined to control the giants and conquer the world. Surprisingly, it was the campiness of this character that initially attracted Tucci. He found the role to be amusing, cleverly wicked, and a classic archetype of villainy. As he revealed in an interview with Collider, “I thought it was really quite funny, sort of witty and purely evil archetypal villain and that was very attractive to me.” It’s in these types of roles that Tucci truly excels, although Jack the Giant Slayer may not be considered a standout film in his extensive filmography.
11. Martin Sheen In ‘Spawn’
In the 1997 superhero film Spawn, many assume that Violator (played by John Leguizamo) is the main antagonist based on the trailers and promo shots. However, the true antagonist is actually CIA Director Jason Wynn, portrayed by Martin Sheen. It is Wynn who orchestrates the demise of Al Simmons (Michael Jai White) and later becomes a formidable weapons dealer, unwittingly becoming involved in Hell’s plan to initiate the apocalypse.
Upon its release, Spawn did not receive widespread acclaim as a comic book movie. Critics pointed out the complex storyline, making it challenging for those unfamiliar with the Image Comics lore surrounding the character. Nevertheless, Martin Sheen thoroughly enjoyed his role as Wynn, particularly after his grandson expressed excitement and revealed his immense fandom for Spawn.
