Mark Strong has been a familiar face in the acting world since the 1990s, known for his wide range of roles in different genres. But his performance as the villain in many fantasy and action projects stands out in his career, as the actor says he enjoys portraying a bad guy.
So, here’s a look at six of the most memorable villains from his catalog, from the best to worst!
1. Lord Henry Blackwood in ‘Sherlock Holmes’ (IMDb: 7.6)
At the top is Strong’s role as Lord Henry Blackwood in 2009’s ‘Sherlock Holmes.’ This role increased the actor’s popularity, showing him as a serial killer with a dark, occult side in a well-known detective story. His character’s complex nature, combined with the movie’s success, makes this his most standout villain role for the fans.
2. Frank D’Amico in ‘Kick-Ass’ (IMDb: 7.6)
As Frank D’Amico in the ‘Kick-Ass’ series, Strong portrayed the main villain in the first movie and had a background role in the sequel. His performance included notable action scenes with Chloë Grace Moretz’s character, Mindy, earning a nomination for Best Fight at the MTV Movie Awards in 2011.
3. Septimus in ‘Stardust’ (IMDb: 7.6)
In the 2007 film ‘Stardust,’ Strong played Septimus, who was on a quest to become king by any means. His performance, especially in the scenes showing the character’s willingness to kill his family for power, received positive feedback, while the romantic fantasy adventure film won an award for Overlooked Film of the Year.
4. Dr. Thaddeus Sivana in ‘Shazam!’ (IMDb: 7.0)
In ‘Shazam!,’ Strong took on his second role in a DC Comics movie as Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, a scientist and enemy of Shazam. He received a nomination for the Choice Movie Villain at the 2019 Teen Choice Awards for his performance as the character and made a brief appearance in the 2023 sequel, ‘Shazam! Fury of the Gods.’
5. Sir Godfrey in ‘Robin Hood’ (IMDb: 6.6)
Strong’s role as Sir Godfrey in ‘Robin Hood’ showed him as a knight playing both sides – a loyal servant and a secret traitor. Some critics noted that the actor was a good fit for this role, as he managed to convey the character’s physical power and political mind. Still, his part and the film itself received mixed reviews despite grossing $321.7 million worldwide.
6. Sinestro in ‘Green Lantern’ (IMDb: 5.5)
In ‘Green Lantern,’ Strong played Sinestro, a key figure in the Green Lantern Corps, with his part in creating a yellow power ring to combat the villain Parallax. Despite his well-received performance, alongside actors like Ryan Reynolds, the film didn’t do well with audiences, leaving Sinestro behind Strong’s other villainous characters.
