Top Ten Actors, Dead or Alive, Who Would Make Excellent James Bond Villains
We need someone dark, sinister, mysterious and cunning. Playing a Bond villain is no easy game. But these actors, I think, would cut it.
Benedict Timothy Carlton Cumberbatch is an English actor and film producer who has performed in film, television, theatre and radio. I think he would make an excellent Bond himself, but his acting style as a villain, from Kahn to the Necromancer, is near unbeatable. Deep and dark voice, sharp emotional and physical expression, and in the plot development of a class-act Bond film, the last thing you'd expect. He would only make a mindblowing Bond villain.
He'd be a great choice for the role, but I imagine he's getting a little too familiar with playing villains in major franchises. I'd guess that he'd turn the role down for the time being. At least until he's had time to distance himself from the typecasting issues.
Gary Leonard Oldman is an English actor, filmmaker, musician, and author. Renowned for his "big" acting style, Oldman is one of the most celebrated thespians of his generation, with a diverse career encompassing theatre, film, and television. He has received a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award:... read more Considering how easy it is to play a convincing hero as it is for him to play a convincing villain, I'd say that he'd be a great choice since the 007 series could use a villain that isn't obviously evil from the moment we meet them (similar to Kristatos in 'For Your Eyes Only').
Heath Andrew Ledger was an Australian actor and director. After performing roles in Australian television and film during the 1990s, Ledger left for the United States in 1998 to develop his film career. If only he was still with us. Just picture it. As a villain, he was vastly different from what we're after, but he'd have brought something else to Bond.
Yes. He would have been perfect for being a Bond villain. There's no denying that.
Timothy James "Tim" Curry is an English actor, voice actor and singer, known for his work in a diverse range of theatre, film and television productions, often portraying villainous roles or character parts. Shame his health issues have probably dashed any hopes, but in his heyday he would've excelled as a Bond villain. Imagine Curry instead of Jonathan Pryce in "Tomorrow Never Dies".
Tim Curry hasn't exactly been busy these past few years. Maybe a role such as this would be the ticket he needs into becoming a bankable star again. I've always been a fan of his.
Catherine Élise "Cate" Blanchett is an Australian actress and theatre director. She has received international acclaim and many accolades for her work, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, three BAFTA Awards, six AACTA Awards, and three Screen Actors Guild Awards. I must admit that her as a 007 villain has never crossed my mind. But now, with the idea planted in my head, I think she'd be brilliant. Imagine a twist involving her as a Bond girl that is revealed to be the main villain (sure, it's not a new idea but every time we've seen it it's always involved a #2 villain or lower - she'd be the MAIN boss). I'm not going to be able to get this out of my head, now.
Outstanding actress, and maybe a good Bond girl, but I imagine a Bond girl who would betray Bond, and slowly be revealed as the snake behind the whole villain's operation.
Walter Bruce Willis, known professionally as Bruce Willis, is a retired American actor, producer, and singer.
John Christopher "Johnny" Depp II (born June 9, 1963) is an American actor, producer, and musician. He has won the Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor... read more His diversity would definitely be a strength if he was to accept the challenge. I'd be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt (I've become slightly disenchanted with his work in recent years - he needs to lay off of working for Tim Burton - too much white face makeup). If he's as good as their saying he is in 'Black Mass' then I might just give him my vote of confidence.
The man can do absolutely anything and everything. Including a wicked, sinister villain. And I imagine Ian Fleming and Christopher Lee would very much approve.
Robert Selden Duvall is an American actor and director. He has been nominated for seven Academy Awards, seven Golden Globes, and has multiple nominations and one win each of the BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild Award, and Emmy Award.
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American actor, filmmaker, businessman, investor, author, philanthropist, activist, former professional bodybuilder and former politician.
Robin McLaurin Williams was an American actor and comedian. Starting as a stand-up comedian in San Francisco and Los Angeles in the mid-1970s, he is credited with leading San Francisco's comedy renaissance. He died in 2014.
Sean Justin Penn is an American actor, filmmaker, and political activist. He has won two Academy Awards, for his roles in the mystery drama Mystic River and the biopic Milk. To think that he's the same actor who played Jeff Spicoli in 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' amazes me since the guy has got some of the best serious chops in the business. His intensity levels go through the roof when he wants them to. Imagining him as a Bond baddie paints a pretty interesting picture, I think.
Thomas William Hiddleston is an English actor. He is best known for his role as Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing in Thor, The Avengers, and Thor: The Dark World.
Jeremy John Irons is an English actor. After receiving classical training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Irons began his acting career on stage in 1969, and has since appeared in many West End theatre productions including The Winter's Tale, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the... read more
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins CBE is a Welsh actor, director, and producer. He was born on December 31, 1937 in Margam, Wales. He is known for winning the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1992, and was nominated three additional times. Hopkins has also won three BAFTAs, two Emmys, and the Cecil B. DeMille... read more
Michael Fassbender is a German-Irish actor of stage and screen whose career includes roles in both independent and blockbuster films, most notably; Hunger, Inglourious Basterds, Shame, X-Men: First Class, Prometheus, 12 Years a Slave, Frank, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Steve Jobs.
Penélope Cruz Sánchez is a Spanish actress and model. Signed by an agent at the age of 15, she made her acting debut at 16 on television and her feature film debut the following year in Jamón Jamón.
Steven Vincent "Steve" Buscemi is an American actor, comedian, director, and former firefighter. Buscemi has starred and supported in numerous successful Hollywood and indie films.
Dame Helen Lydia Mirren, is an English actor. Mirren began her acting career with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1967, and is one of the few performers who have achieved the Triple Crown of Acting, having won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2007, after two previous nominations, for her performance... read more She's been in the news a lot within the past few months thanks to her enthusiasm behind possibly playing a villain in the next 'Fast & Furious' installment. Well, I'd love to see her as a Bond villain first. Perhaps the main reason why she'll likely never play the role, however, is due to the fact that she can be very similar to Judi Dench (their personalities can be very much the same when playing characters that have power). Too bad. She'd be a natural choice.
David Tennant is a Scottish actor known for his roles as the Tenth Doctor in the British television series Doctor Who, Alec Hardy in Broadchurch, Giacomo Casanova in the TV serial Casanova, Kilgrave in Jessica Jones, and Barty Crouch, Jr. in the Harry Potter movie series. Too awesome. If he pulls a Kilgrave-style performance that would be amazing! I think he could play a playful villain with a lot of jokes and a sinister edge.
Kevin Spacey Fowler KBE (born July 26, 1959) is an American actor and producer. He began his career as a stage actor during the 1980s, obtaining supporting roles in film and television. Spacey has received various accolades for his performances on stage and screen including two Academy Awards, a Tony... read more
David Jude Heyworth Law (born 29 December 1972), is an English actor. He has received nominations for two Academy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and two British Academy Awards, winning one. In 2007, he received an Honorary César and was named a knight of the Order... read more
Christian Charles Philip Bale (born 30 January 1974) is an English actor. Known for his versatility and physical transformations for his roles, he has been a leading man in films of several genres. He has received various accolades, including an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. Forbes magazine... read more
Henry Jaynes Fonda was an American film and stage actor with a career spanning more than five decades.
Carlos Irwin Estévez, known professionally as Charlie Sheen, is an American actor. Sheen has appeared in films including Platoon, Wall Street, Young Guns, Eight Men Out, Major League, Hot Shots!, and The Three Musketeers. Okay, admittedly, I don't think he can pull off a Scottish accent, but, I think he could probably pull of the character, particularly with his relationships with women.