Playing a villain is one of the toughest acting decisions an actor can make. You do it poorly and you stay the hideous villain that looked like he belonged to a sitcom for ever, but if you do it right – everybody will remember that one part for the rest of their lives. Which makes it really hard to cast anyone villainous! And I’m not thinking about actors, though they have the same problem with actresses. When the dark vibe is perfect nobody wants to see them in other positions! Yet our favorite villains and villainies were not all evil. This is what they looked like as young as they were.
Anthony Hopkins
Once Anthony Hopkins started his acting career, most of us weren’t even born, so it’s no wonder we just know him as the ideal villain. Even before Westworld and long before The Silence of the Lambs, where he played Hannibal Lecter, a beautifully controlled psychopath, Anthony Hopkins appeared on stage and acted in movies including Prince Richard’s Lion in the Snow.
Lena Headey
Until her impressive performance as Cersei in Game of Thrones, we had not heard much about Lena Headey. Playing Queen Cersei ‘s troubled, violent and highly divisive character, who tried to defend her Iron Throne with whatever means she may have had, was certainly a breakthrough role for her. Even Lena Headey appeared in Dredd ‘s 2012 remake. Yet, before all of this? She looked entirely different.
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Hugo Weaving
For his excellent role as Agent Smith in The Matrix series, we all know and love Hugo Weaving-he was one of those villains we always loved to hate! It remained the most recognizable role of Hugo Weaving until The Lord of the Rings came out and swept us off our feet with excellent characters and breathtaking visuals. The elven king Elrond played here by Hugo Weaving. He looked a lot different before the launch of The Matrix!
Eva Green
It is a real feast for the eyes each time Eva Green hits the screen. She’s talented, stunning, and she’s capable of pulling away any position that comes her way. However, her most unforgettable roles are the darker ones – The Sin City 2, Dark Shadows, Penny Dreadful, and Camelot where Morgan Pendragon worked. Eva Green has also appeared in The Dreamers by Bertolucci and in Arsene Lupin, a light-hearted film. She looks differently in every situation, it goes without saying.
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Jason Isaacs
Jason Isaacs made it through his acting career to play a bunch of bad guys. Of course, Lucius Malfoy, of Harry Potter, is one of the most prominent characters he has played. Because of that unique role he has millions of fans and anti-fans all over the world! Jason Isaacs has appeared as Captain Hook in Peter Pan and as a criminal scientist in the mystery show The OA. He is the absolute opposite of all those bad guys in real life!
Anjelica Huston
Anjelica Huston also played such classy characters! Needless to say, most of them were dark and breathtaking. For The Addams Family movies, her depiction of Morticia Addams turned the character into an icon that is still recognized today. During Halloween you will still see someone turning themselves into Morticia. For The Witches, too, Anjelica Huston starred-a part that might have haunted your dreams as a child.
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Tom Hiddleston
Not many people have known who Tom Hiddleston was in The Avengers movies before his iconic role as a mischievous deity. Loki ‘s role may have marked him into the film industry as a bad guy, but he is certainly so much more than that. He began as a theater actor and you can still see him acting in plays, but in various shows (Henry V, The Night Manager) and films (Kong: Skull Island, Crimson Peak, Only Lovers Left Alive) he also appears on television. He’s a versatile actor who is good whatever role he chooses.
Glenn Close
In 101 Dalmatians and 102 Dalmatians who hit the big screen in 1996 and 2000 respectively. Glenn Close was mostly popular for her villain roles. Her portrayal of Cruella De Vil who loves fur was so spot on. That she has been connected with the role for years to come. In addition she starred alongside Michael Douglas in Fatal Attraction.
