These 10 actors not only gave unforgettable performances, but they achieved the often insurmountable task of bringing the character straight from the pages to the screen like celluloid silly putty.
Source: Warner Bros.
10. Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor in Superman
Source: Warner Bros.
By 1978 people had learned not to take comic book movies seriously, especially their costumed villains. Although playing an admittedly more down-and-out Lex than fans were used to, Hackman devoured the opportunity to play the greatest criminal mastermind of our time. It was one of the first times an actor with the charisma and confidence required was given the chance to play a popular comic nemesis. He dropped to #10 for almost completely refusing to be bald for the performance, but Hackman still was a harbinger for future quality casting.
9. Mickey Rourke as Marv in Sin City
Source: Dimension Films
It’s bizarre that the least human-looking character in Miller’s graphic novel would end up nailing his real life adaptation with a bulls-eye. Rourke looked like he was made of concrete, yet each of his bandages looked like they covered scars that were skin deep. His grit resonated even more after some rocky career choices in the decade prior. Both Rourke and Marv were looking for a comeback. Marv is a perfect example that no matter how impossible it seems to realize someone drawn to look unrealistic, there’s always an actor eager to prove himself.
8. Jackie Earle Haley as Walter Kovacs (Rorschach) in Watchmen
Source: Warner Bros.
The novel that many said could not be filmed also had many characters that could seemingly not be cast. Balancing the duplicity of Rorschach’s gruff and grimy exterior when he’s drawn like Howdy Doody in the book is not an easy acting experiment. Jackie Earle Haley was mesmerizing. Rooting for him was effortless whether he was taking on the cops or a cafeteria full of prison inmates. He was edgy, but believable. Kovacs drives the story, and Haley stole the movie.
7. Gary Oldman as James Gordon in Batman Begins
Source: Warner Bros.
Both Neil Hamilton of the '60s TV show and Pat Hingle from the Burton remake painted Gordon as some bumbling grandfather who’s biggest challenge was picking up a red phone. Oldman, the chameleon of the acting world, turned out to be just the savior for fans looking forward to someone taking the role seriously. Oldman’s Gordon got his hands dirty, wasn’t afraid to fight for what he believed in, and may be one of the last “good” people left in Gotham. Hard to believe this selfless policeman was also Dracula, Sid Vicious, Sirius Black, and Zorg.
6. Alfred Molina as Doctor Octopus (Otto Octavius) in Spider-Man 2
Source: Columbia Pictures
Following the disappointingly armor-plated Green Goblin with a Brooklyn drawl, true believers were eager to return to something that felt real. Molina could not only sweep up a Doc Oc cosplay contest, he poured a potent amount of heart into his portrayal of the misunderstood mind. His moving moments restored faith in the genre for many, and he also dipped his eight appendages in what many consider the best fight in the trilogy.
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