A while back, I posted a couple editorials (The 16 Comic Book Baddies I want to see On-Screen and 10 More Baddies I want to see On-Screen) that discussed some of the Comic Book baddies that we have yet to see on screen, as well as those villains that were either grossly mis-treated or deserve another go-round in a movie. I've decided to expand on that topic and look at several of those villainous characters in an on-going editorial series I'm calling "Baddies That Need Movie Love." In this series, I'll take a look at the history of the character, his/her powers and abilities, why they deserve some screen time, as well as the actor or actress I think should play the role in a movie. I will take a few from the above-linked articles, as well as some that were not listed in them. So let's get this party started!
As you saw by the title, the first bad-ass character I'v chosen to highlite is the Marvel character Omega Red. I agree with most fans in that we've been rather inundated with the Wolverine character since the first
X-Men hit the screens in 2000, and the last go-round was a let-down, to say the least. With Aronofsky attached to direct the "sequel," my hopes are a but higher, but that's a discussion for another time.
Arkady Gregorivich has a rather mysterious past, other than he was a serial killer. After being captured, he was turned over to the Russin KGB, who set out to turn him into a super-soldier, using the code-name Omega Red. During the procedure, Team-X (consisting of Wolverine, Sabretooth, Maverick, Wraith) interupted and stole the Carbonadium Synthesizer that was used to control Omega Red's mutant powers. As a result of this, the KGB placed Omega Red into suspended animation. Years later, the ninja clan The Hand revived the Russian mutant and he aligned himself with them in exchange for information on the whereabouts of Wolverine and the C-Synthesizer. Omega Red went head to head with Wolverine but was ultimately defeated by the X-Men.
From there, Omega Red went on the search for the cyborg M.O.D.A.M., who was believed to be a former KGB operative who betrayed Omega Red, but he was met by Iron Man. He also faced the mutant training team Generation X, as well as Dare Devil and the Russian spy, the Black Widow. He has formed alliances with Sabretooth, Lady Deathsrtike and Ivan Pushkin as well as provided pertinant information to Maverick. Agent Zero.
Omega Red's mutant abilities consist of being able to secrete bodily pheramones that are deadly to anyone in the immediate vacinity. By doing this, it drains his energy, forcing him to absorb the life-force of others. Also, due to the super-soldier enhancements by the KGB, Omega Red was given super-strength. He is a very talented hand-to-hand combatant with extensive KGB training and is fluent in both Russian and English. Red's arms were implanted with Carbonadium coils that he can expand and contract via openings on his wrists. These coils serve as a conduit and stabilizer for his mutant pheramones.
What I like about Omega Red is the fact that not only is he a physical threat to Wolverine, or anyone he faces for that matter, but he add a bit of other-worldliness to a story. His abilities and "weapons" provide for a much different villain than we have previously seen on the big screen. With the right actor, Omega Red could potentially be a very imposing and memorable villain. He is not a character that the general public would be greatly familiar with, maybe only through the popular 1990's
X-Men cartoon, so it would be something a bit different. Omega Red could not only serve as a baddie for a Wolverine movie, but also for an X-Men film, seeing him team up with the likes of Lady Deathstrike and Sabretooth could have quite the impact. However, I think that Omega Red is a villain that would work best on his own. Seeing a climactic battle between Wolverine and Omega Red could provide for some epic on-screen moments.
So, if you've read my articles above, or even if you go back to one of my first fan-casts from several years ago, you know who I'd like to see play this bad ass. Sean Bean (
Golden Eye, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring) is an amazing actor and has the talent and the know-how to bring Omega Red to the big screen, and do so in a fashion that would do the character justice. He has proven that he has a villainous side to him and to see what he could do with the character would be incredible. Regardless of the rather lack-luster X-Movies (with the exception of
X2: X-Men United), many feel that Hugh Jackman has doen the Wolverine character justice and to see him face off against the likes of Sean Bean would be awesome, at least in this geeks opinion.
So, there you have it, Volume One in the Baddies that Need Movie Love series. Obviously, feel free to leave feedback on the character and the actor choice, but I'd also like to hear feedback on whether or not this is something you'd like me to continue! There are many, many other charcters to go over!
Also, be sure to vote on The Best of CBM 2010! Polls close on Jan 15th!