I'm back and here for my third Comic Book Movie Top 5/10 lists. Today I'm bringing you to the other side of my last list, which was the greatest superhero movie actors. Now here's my list of greatest superhero villains! This is my list of all time, and to check out my other CBM top 5/10's go to the following link:http://comicbookmovie.com/fansites/CaptainDC10/ ENJOY!!!
5) Ian McKellen as Magneto/Erik Lensherr: X-Men (2000), X2 (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
As always, the number 5 spot is the hardest to decide. There are so many other great villains out there that can easily fill this role. I was considering putting Michael Fassbender as this spot for his fantastic work in X-Men: First Class, but now that I think about it, he didn't play a villain until the last 2 minutes. Ian McKellen though can arguably be one of the smartest picks a director can have chosen. Throughout the three films, not only do you understand Magneto as a character, but you feel his strength. After all, he is the #1 ranked villain ranked by ign.com. Being a victim of the holocaust, and seeing his struggle during the opening scene of X-Men 1, you see how Magneto develops into arguably the only villain to never have gotten actually beaten. He really never loses, and it's not only because of his power to control anything magnetic, but it's because of his mental intelligence and emotional desire that makes him so indestructible. He plays a character of sympathy, strength, and intelligence, something many actors fail at doing; giving him the true number 5 spot on my all time greatest villain list.
4) Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor: Superman (1978), Superman II (1980), Superman IV: The Quest For Peace (1987)
Now that I've gone through my hardest pick, I'm onto my safest pick, Gene Hackman as the intelligent and bold Lex Luthor. Lex Luthor on several occasions almost destroyed the greatest hero of all time, Superman. Unlike Magneto, Luthor has no powers. Luthor's near success is attributed to his intelligent brain; he's so smart, conniving, and hungry for Superman's kryptonian blood that he'll go above and beyond to get what he wants. Hackman delivers on the spot, successfully making the Superman franchise one of a kind. It's no surprise that everybody loves Superman, and after watching the first two Superman films, when Lex Luthor pops up in your mind, you have to think of Gene. A simple and smart performance lands Gene Hackman number 4 on my list, making you truly admire the original Superman for all the glory and fun it delivers.
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3) Jack Nicholson as Joker/Jack Napier: Batman (1989)
Being one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, Jack Nicholson helped turned "The Joker" into the household name he is. Nicholson made The Joker his own in this spectacular Batman movie, that truly started it all. Tim Burton's creative mind only built the premise for the Joker, but in the end of the day, the Joker was so scary, imaginative, and bold because of Nicholson. Throughout the movie, Nicholson constantly delivered, giving us great lines like "Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight?" Nicholson did it all during this film, making it the classic it is. His physical features, distinct laugh, and crazy ideas helped revolutionize Batman forever. Nicholson reached new heights and set the standard for comic book villains. His role was so great, it wouldn't make a difference if you switched him with the number 2, or heck, even number 1. For his comedic genius and revolutionizing role, Nicholson's Joker easily holds his place as the third best supervillain of all time
2) Terence Stamp as General Zod: Superman (1978), Superman II (1980)
You may be asking yourself, the second best superhero villain of all time is General Zod? My answer to that is yes! Anybody that even hears the name "Zod," automatically thinks of Terence Stamp's voice saying "Kneel before Zod!" Being one of the greatest quotes in comic book movie history, Stamp's distinct voice and face set the mood for an amazing Superman film. Stamp's power and integrity makes General Zod one of the most fierce villains to have ever shown up on the big screen. After his first appearance in Superman I, where Zod is summoned to spend his sentence in the phantom zone, you already feel his power and mite. And then, in Superman II, he's released to the world, making everyone feel Zod's raft. Before Superman II, Zod was just another one of Superman's villains, always behind the crafty and intelligent Lex Luthor. But when Terence Stamp took over the role, General Zod became one of the most well-known Superman villains. In fact, Terence Stamp's portrayal of General Zod beats Gene Hackman's role as Lex Luthor in Total Films "Top 50 Greatest Villains Of All Time." Lex is #38, while Zod is #32. Overall, Terence Stamps role as General Zod was groundbreaking, and inspirational to all comic book movie villain actors to follow. Making the number 2 spot on my greatest villains of all time gives Michael Shannon a really hard act to follow when he attempts to play General Zod in the Zack Snyder directed reboot of "Superman: Man of Steel."
1) Heath Ledger as Joker: The Dark Knight (2008)
This couldn't have been a surprise. I mean I do have an Oscar for "the best performance by an actor in a supporting role," and a gold globe for "Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture," and even a screen actors guild award for "Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role." Heath Ledger did it all with one movie. There isn't one moment of arguably the greatest comic book movie ever made, The Dark Knight, where Heath Ledger doesn't deliver. The look, the voice, the attitude, the presence, Heath Ledger did it all. You simply cannot get a better performance from a superhero villain then what Heath Ledger did. Heath Ledger described his own role as the Joker, before he died, as a "psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy." Delivering lines like "why so serious?" and "do you know how I got these scars?" Every single time you watch this movie, it's just incredible how well Heath Ledger portrays the Joker. Before Ledger played the Joker, the Joker was still a popular villain, but never what he is today. Heath Ledger changed movies forever, he showed how far you can take a character to a point where you feel as if this is completely real. Heath Ledger's performance is indescribable, making without a single doubt in my mind the greatest superhero villain ever! In fact, I might even say that he's the greatest comic book movie actor ever!
Thanks for reading and hope you enjoy! Check out my fansite to see my other CBM top 5 and 10's! Don't forget to comment, ask questions, give opinions and give your own lists. This took a lot of time to make, so give it the thumbs up if you like it! Hope you enjoy and stay tuned for more!