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Something about me? I have been a nerdy cinephile for as long as I can remember. Putting the two together is living my best life. That notwithstanding, I was born to express, not to impress, so I blog because I don't have friends. In other news, I like hashtags because they look like waffles, prefer my puns intended, and I always give 100% unless I'm donating blood. Thanks for reading.
Ever since the Danish actor (and former gymnast) Mads Mikkelsen was thrust upon the screen as iconic James Bond villain “Le Chiffre” in Casino Royale (French for The Number, as in “an anonymous person”), fans have loved his villainous work.
Look at his impressive catalog. The guy is always the man in black ready to slaughter anyone who thinks improperly in his direction. And when he is a good guy, it’s not that convincing. Even Mads Mikkelsen knows that which is why he talked about it at the Marrakech International Film Festival recently.
It’s not an enigma why it happens. The guy didn’t say a word about being typecast either. The reason is singular and easy for anyone to decipher.
It’s quite simple. It’s the funny accent. It’s as simple as that. It used to be Germans, then it was Brits; then the Russians, and then for some reason they fell in love with the Danish accent. That’s definitely part of it.
Mads Mikkelsen, Marrakech 2023
Sound Off with Mads Mikkelsen
It should be a game show, but have you ever watched Mads Mikkelsen with the sound off? Try it.
Dude doesn’t have a “villain look,” even in Doctor Strange. With all that eye makeup and burn marks around his nose, the guy just doesn’t “look” mischievous or villainous. But with that sound on, he’s such a malefactor.
The guy “sounds” like a bad dude. There’s nothing funny about his accent but upon first blush with your auditory senses, that is one sinister flow wisping across his lips. Think about the times you have seen Mads Mikkelsen on screen and the majestic franchises with which he’s been involved:
- James Bond — Le Chiffre
- Marvel — Kaecilius (Doctor Strange)
- Hannibal — Dr. Hannibal Lecter
- Indiana Jones — Ludvig von Kahlen
- Harry Potter — Gellert Grindelwald (Fantastic Beasts)
(Credit: Jonathan Hession via Touchstone Pictures)
And then, just to add to the Mikkelsen mystique, consider the times he’s been a “good guy” in some impressive franchises and films, but maybe sounds like a guy not to make angry.
- Star Wars — Galen Erso (Rogue One)
- King Arthur — Tristan
- Clash of the Titans — Draco
- Valhalla Rising — One Eye
- Polar — Duncan Vizla
Why point out the good and the bad with him? Well, it’s because he doesn’t do that when considering a role.
Then if the Americans see something they like, they have a tendency to try and copy it, right. But I’ve been lucky enough to do different villains in different universes. There’s a big difference between Marvel and James Bond… but I never think about it too much. In Denmark, we don’t divide it into bad guys and good guys, we tend look at more complex characters.
Moving forward, forget the polarizing labels with the guy. Just place on the credits, “Mads Mikkelsen, Badass.”
Something about me? I have been a nerdy cinephile for as long as I can remember. Putting the two together is living my best life. That notwithstanding, I was born to express, not to impress, so I blog because I don't have friends. In other news, I like hashtags because they look like waffles, prefer my puns intended, and I always give 100% unless I'm donating blood. Thanks for reading.
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