TheX-Menlive action film series has featured no shortage of iconic villains from the mighty mutant team’s comic book adventures — from Magneto to William Stryker, from the Sentinels to Apocalypse. Even the Shadow King has appeared in live action as the main villain of theLegionTV series.
However, there’s one majorX-Menvillain who has yet to make his live action debut: Dr. Nathaniel Essex, aka Mister Sinister. Born in Victorian-era London, Sinister is an immortal mad scientist obsessed with creating a world of genetically perfect beings, with himself as ruler. To that end, he’s tormented countless mutants in his twisted experiments — chief among them being Cyclops, who was raised in an orphanage that served as a front for Sinister’s research.
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Withthe mind of a genius,the heart of a showman, and a complete and utter lack of morals, Mister Sinister is one of the X-Men’s most cunning, ruthless villains — not to mention one of their most flamboyant. But despite his popularity, he has yet to appear on film. Granted, he was being set up as a major villain in the last few Fox films, with the name “Essex” being referenced in bothX-Men: ApocalypseandDeadpool 2. Jon Hamm was even cast as Sinister himself forThe New Mutants, but his appearance was ultimately cut from the film. But with the X-Men’s inevitable arrival to the MCU growing ever closer, Mister Sinister would be the perfect villain to kickstart the mutants’return to the big screen.And when that day comes, here are a few actors who’d be perfect for the role.
Hugh Laurie
There are many words that one could use to describe Nathaniel Essex. To name just a few: sophisticated, witty, theatrical, sardonic, and of course, English. As it happens, these are also all words that one could use to describe Hugh Laurie. The prolific actor is best known to American viewers for his role as another misanthropic, egotistical doctor — Dr. Gregory House from the long-running medical dramaHouse. But across the pond, he’s famous for his extensive comedy background, from Rowan Atkinson’sBlackadderto the sketch comedy seriesA Bit of Fry and Lauriewith Stephen Fry.
However, Laurie isno stranger to villainous roleseither. He played a deadly arms dealer in the 2016 John Le Carré adaptationThe Night Manager, and was even the villain in the ill-fated Disney sci-fi flickTomorrowland. Indeed, despite his great accomplishment as an actor, Laurie’s been in everything fromStuart LittletoMonsters vs. Aliensto the notorious flopHolmes and Watson. In other words, he’s not the kind of actor who’s likely to turn down an MCU role. And that’s certainly a relief, because Hugh Laurie has exactly what it takes to give Mister Sinister the charm, class, and cruelty he needs.
Eddie Redmayne
Of course, being an immortal shapeshifter, there’s no reason that a younger actor can’t play Nathaniel Essex. After his breakout role inLes Misérables, Redmaynereceived several awards forhis portrayal of Stephen Hawking inThe Theory of Everything. And just a year later, he became the stuff memes are made of with his scenery-chewing turn as a spacefaring supervillain inJupiter Ascending. These days, he’s most famous for his role as Newt Scamander, protagonist of theFantastic Beastsseries, giving him plenty of experience as a major player in a fantasy franchise.
However, after the poor performance ofThe Secrets of Dumbledoreearlier this year, the future of theFantastic Beastsseries looks anything but bright. As such, it’s possible that Redmayne will jump ship to Warner Bros.’ top competitor for his next blockbuster role. And as an Oscar-winning thespian who’s hadexperience with hammy villain roles,he’d be right at home in Mister Sinister’s jet-black cape.
Matt Smith
Speaking of younger actors, Redmayne isn’t the only performer who’s in need of a new franchise to join. Matt Smith is best known for his starring role as the Eleventh Doctor inDoctor Who, making him something of a celebrity among sci-fi fans. Since then, he’s earned acclaim for his role as Prince Phillip inThe Crown— but he’s also been in films likeTerminator: GenisysandPride and Prejudice and Zombies, so the man clearly hasn’t strayed far from his campy roots.
And of course, he’s risen to internet meme stardom this year with his role as the villainous Milo in Sony’sMorbius, meaning he’s technicallyalready played a Marvel villain.Plus, he’s set to be a main cast member in the upcomingGame of Thronesspin-offHouse of the Dragon, meaning his schedule could very well be booked for the foreseeable future. Even so, Smith can play whimsical and over-the-top just as well as cold and menacing. So in the event that he does get the chance to play Mister Sinister, he’d be a perfect fit for the role.
Peter Capaldi
Of course, if the Eleventh Doctor isn’t available, his successor is just as valid an option. While he’s best known for his portrayal ofthe Twelfth Doctor inDoctor Who,Peter Capaldi has been in everything fromWorld War Zto thePaddingtonmovies. And of course, he also appeared as the Thinker in James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squad, giving him prior experience as a comic book villain. And as anyDoctor Whofan can tell you, Capaldi is a performer of tremendous range, capable of being a snarky rock star one moment and a terrifying force of nature the next. In fact, the Twelfth Doctor’s most acclaimed episode is essentially just an hour of Capaldi talking to himself — so if that isn’t a testament to his acting chops, nothing is.
Matthew Rhys
Best known for his starring roles in shows likeThe AmericansandPerry Mason, a leading man like Matthew Rhys isn’t exactly a traditional pickfor an eccentric supervillainlike Mister Sinister. Plus, unlike the rest of the actors on this list, he has no experience with mainstream Hollywood blockbusters. But as it happens, he has plenty of experience playing a Disney villain.
Animation fans will likely recognize Rhys as the voice of Emperor Belos, the main villain of the Disney Channel cartoonThe Owl House. Rhys’ portrayal of Belos is downright chilling, bringing the cunning, manipulative mastermind to life with incredible skill. If Rhys brought that same level of performance to Mister Sinister, he’d no doubt become one ofthe MCU’s greatest villains.
