Best villains of Hollywood, this season

Our pick of this season’s villains who deserve just as much attention as the hero in their movies
Best villains of Hollywood, this season

Space calling

Followers of the small screen will recognise Benedict Cumberbatch as the star of Sherlock, a BBC TV miniseries. His next major role, after the award-winning 'Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy', will be as the baddie in JJ Abrams’ forthcoming 3D followup to 'Star Trek' (2009). Reports state that Cumerbatch’s role will be akin to that of Khan, the genetically engineered space tyrant, who was originally essayed by Ricardo Montalban. Co-writer Damon Lindelof had words of high praise for Cumberbatch, “I can already say with a certain degree of confidence that he is gonna give an iconic film performance and one of the best sci-fi performances that I’ve ever seen.” Set to release in May 2013.

Spanish edge

Javier Bardem can now add the upcoming James Bond movie, Skyfall, to his formidable filmography. Bardem, who will essay the role of the villain, Raoul Silva, opposite Daniel Craig’s Bond, won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his brutal turn in the Coen brothers’ 'No Country for Old Men'. Equipped with a blond wig and a cop’s uniform, Bardem might just hold his own, amid the ensemble cast (Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Ben Whishaw, Helen McCrory). In an interview, Bardem refused to confirm reports of an interaction with M in the movie, a first in the James Bond franchise. Coming soon in November.

Alien force

In what is a landmark role of sorts, Oscar award-winning actor Ben Kingsley is set to take on the role of the main villain, Mandarin, in the upcoming 'Iron Man 3' film. Set to release in May 2013, the movie, based on Extremis, the six-book comic series, introduces a new origin story. Kingsley is tight-lipped about his role, but we hear that he discovers advanced alien technology that turns him into a nearly unstoppable force, on the path of world domination. Director Shane Black said, “This guy (Kingsley) is the Mandarin.”

The other man

In a reboot of the Superman series, 'Man of Steel' comes with a refreshing cast. While Henry Cavill will play the titular character, Boardwalk Empire actor Michael Shannon will essay the role of General Zod, his arch-nemesis. “Zod is not only one of Superman’s most formidable enemies, but one of the most significant because he has insights into Superman that others don’t,” said Zach Snyder, the director of the new film. This latest Superman movie, which releases in December, is turning into an Oscar-friendly cast which already includes Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Superman’s parents.

Trigger happy

'Looper', with its ensemble cast (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt), has been getting rave reviews for its bad boy, Kid Blue, played by Noah Segan. In interviews, director Rian Johnson called Segan “the perfect villain,” while Segan stated, “I’m unimaginably trying to emulate Dennis Hopper.” The movie, set in 2044, sees Kid Blue stuck in a past which no longer exists, sporting an old-fashioned six shooter gun.

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