Oh, how I love villains. Love them. They’re often the most delightful and most interesting characters. I know I’m going to have a hard time limiting this list, but I’ll try not to let it get too out of control!
In no particular order, as usual, I love…
Hades from Hercules. I absolutely adore James Woods in this role. He was hilarious. His delivery was perfect. I just wish he’d had a song. But he does have this: “Well, they’re just fine. You know, a little dark, a little gloomy. And, as always, hey, full of dead people. What are you gonna do?” And this: “Meg, my little flower, my little bird, my little *nut*-Meg. What exactly happened here? I thought you were gonna persuade the river guardian to join my team for the uprising and here I am sort of… river-guardian-less.”
Hans Gruber from Die Hard (my second favorite Christmas movie) I think this was my first experience with Alan Rickman, and I was in deep and abiding love with him. Hans will always be one of my favorite characters. He’s just so delightfully evil, his delivery is spot on and his dialogue is perfect. One of my favorites being, “Mr. Takagi, I could talk about industrialization and men’s fashion all day, but I’m afraid work must intrude.”
And while I’m evangelizing about Alan Rickman, I give you the Sheriff of Nottingham. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is the worst movie. Just the absolute worst. But oh, how I love Rickman’s character. He’s campy, ridiculous and way over the top as illustrated here: “That’s it, then! Cancel the kitchen scraps for lepers and orphans, no more merciful beheadings, and call off Christmas!” But I love him for it. And he was literally the ONLY good part of that movie.
Richard Wilkins, the Mayor of Sunnydale from Buffy is one of my all time, favorite villains ever. He’s a demon who’s been alive since sometime in the 1800s when he sold his soul for immortality. He’s just delightful – this squeaky clean (appearing) politician – sort of the consummate respectable Republican – who’s secretly plotting the end of the world and eating babies on the side. Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the mayor.
“I’ve made certain deals to get where I am today. This demon requires his tribute, You see, that’s what separates me from other politicians, Mr. Trick…I keep my campaign promises.”
(upon eating some mystical spider) ” My god, what a feeling. The power of these creatures… It suffuses my being. I can feel the changes begin. My organs shifting, merging, making ready for the Ascension. Plus, these babies are high in fiber and what’s the fun of becoming an immortal demon if you’re not regular, am I right? “
And my all time favorite mayor quote happens after Faith says, “Thanks, Sugar Daddy.” And the mayor responds:
“Now, Faith, I don’t find that sort of thing amusing. I’m a family man. Now, let’s kill your little friend.”
That will never not delight me.
Jareth the Goblin King from Labyrinth. Look, I know he’s from the 1980s, steals babies and tries manipulate and probably seduce teenage girls, but I love him anyway. David. Bowie. 1980s David Bowie.
” I ask for so little. Just fear me, love me, do as I say and I will be your slave.”
“Everything! Everything that you wanted I have done. You asked that the child be taken. I took him. You cowered before me, I was frightening. I have reordered time. I have turned the world upside down, and I have done it all for you! I am exhausted from living up to your expectations. Isn’t that generous?”
Loki. Dear lord, Loki. How do I love him? Tim Hiddleston plays him brilliantly. In fact, I can’t even imagine him played by everyone else. THAT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN, UNIVERSE. NEVER.
“I am Loki of Asgard and I am burdened with glorious purpose.”
“I am the monster parents tell their children about at night.”
“Lightning is but a flicker of light, punctuated on all sides by darkness.”
“In the end, you will always kneel.”
K.
Crowley – The current King of Hell from Supernatural. He’s fairly unassuming looking, wickedly funny and intelligent, delightfully self-centered and power hungry. I adore him.
“‘Submit or die’? What are you, French”
“Location, location, location. I’m a developer. Purgatory is vast, underutilized, and Hell-adjacent, and I want it.”
“This isn’t Wall Street, this is Hell. We have integrity.”
“What on earth could you possibly need now, Viggo? I’ve given you every torture instrument known to man – short of a Neil Diamond album.”
“You’re lying to Sam like he’s your wife, which kind of makes me your mistress.”
“It may look like bean-counting to you, it may lack a certain adolescent flair, but my way… works! You think you can control Hell with chaos alone, without the support of those who are still loyal to me?! Your way will backfire. You. Will. Burn.”
So, those are just some of my favorite villains. Who are some of yours? Click the names below to see what villains the other bloggers love.
I love your list! And the fact that you put quote in makes it even better. And yes for Loki!! I said I bet he would show up on at least 2 other lists and I bet I’m going to be right. He’s just so . . . . damn hot. 🙂
Villain quotes are always the best. 😀
I KNEW Alan Rickman would end up on your list in one way or more. 🙂
And the Goblin King…That made me smile. You remind me of the babe…
Do NOT mock my love of Alan Rickman. (What babe?)
Babe with the power
(What have you and Jen done to me that I know this off the top of my head now???)
PS – was not disparaging the Alan Rickman love. Not even a little.
Just watched Hercules the other day. You’d think I was watching it with my child but no, I just wanted to watch it for myself. James Woods does such and amazing job and you can just tell how much fun he is having with that character.
I will never not love this movie. In fact, I’m currently singing Meg’s song as I type.
What a fun list! You guys come up with some of the most interesting things to think about. Favorite villains. Really? Love yours. David Bowie – *sigh* Rickman – oh yes. Mayor of Sunnydale – always makes me smile. Great list! And I can’t think of anyone to add. Unless maybe it is Khan of Star Trek fame. Either Ricardo Montalban (*sigh* yes I am that old) or Benedict Cumberbatch. (but not too old to appreciate new talent *sigh*) Both did wonderful jobs for their generations and looked hot doing it.
I remember Ricardo Montalban’s Khan, but I much prefer Cumberbatch’s. 😀
Yeah, for Loki and Crowley. The Goblin King.. I have no words.. NO WORDS FOR THAT MOVIE. But, I love your list. And I love that you put in quotes. You rock.
It’s a good I thing I love you, Norris. Disparaging David Bowie like that…
You are so right about Hades needing a song! That would have been SO good! But you should have put the gratuitous Alan Rickman at the end. How can your readers be expected to pay attention to anything else with his voice in our heads??
That really was some poor villain placement on my part. I shall endeavor to do better next time my list includes Alan Rickman. And I like to think we both know one of these upcoming lists will.