As this decade (that we don't even know what to call it) comes to a close magazines and newspapers and blogs everywhere are making best of the decade lists. Best movies, best albums, best television shows, best everything.
It is in this spirit that I feel it is necessary to recognize the extraordinary contributions of Hugo Weaving to the past decade. The man started just before the start of the decade (close enough that we can count it) as the best villain of the decade this side of Heath Ledger's Joker and has been a part of some of the biggest movie franchises of the decade (other than Harry Potter and Batman).
This is why he is inarguably the top Sci-Fi Actor of the decade.
He has been largely overlooked by the general public and sci-fi fans alike as such a talented and important actor to the genre. Partially because most of his characters seem to involve cgi, make up, or masks. But sometimes it seems like even Andy Serkis is more revered than he is.
Let's just take a look at some of his more recognizable roles over the past decade:
Agent Smith from the Matrix trilogy
Elrond from the Lord of the Rings trilogy
V from V for Vendetta
Megatron from the Transformers franchise
That's 9 major movies within the genre. 9 major blockbusters that all define the decade in entertainment in some way. 5 of them grossed over $300 million domestic count alone. V for Vendetta was the only one to gross under $100 million domestically, but that movie (and especially his performance) had a greater impact culturally than is measured by gross.
Worldwide grosses: 6 of them reached over $700 million, 4 over $800 million, and one even grossed over $1 billion.
Can any other actor even begin to compare to that level of success. It's completely unprecedented and yet no one seems to be talking about it. No one seems to be giving poor Hugo his due.
It's not just monetary success either. His performances have been remarkable and memorable. Sometimes with little other than his voice to use. An actor's face is an important tool in conveying emotion. In V for Vendetta he was able to give a stellar and rounded performance without his face.
What he had been able to accomplish in each role stated above is deliver even more than the audience could have asked of him, bringing the films to new heights.
Well, Hugo Weaving, we here at Mancouch wish to say congratulations and give you the proper recognition for being the top Sci-Fi actor of the decade.
Comments (22)
He's the man.
Yes!
Cool
I would like to add that he also has a cool name.
his characters are all epic win. :]
except optimus prime > megatron.
I didn't know he was V. I loved that character. He did a great job.
Nice
I agree. He's a skilled actor, and underrated. Wouldn't hurt to see him appear in more films (because let's face it, being in Transformers doesn't even really make you an actor.)
Wow, I had no idea he was V in V for vendetta.
This is an awesome post. I always liked him, knew he was in V and all that, but never really stepped back and looked at all the stuff he's done. Nice call on giving this dude props.
agreed
Ahhh, I love him.
He's awesome. :)
i fucking love him because he's australian.
what a gunnn <33
meh, i don't care.
Hugo Weaving = epic win
I'd have to say Erick Avari is one of the best and most underrated sci-fi actors of all time. He's been in pretty much everything including Daredevil, The X-Files, Independence Day, Babylon 5, Planet of the Apes, Stargate, Enterprise, Star Trek DS9 and TNG, Heroes, Tru Calling, Encino Man, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Alias and The 13th Warrior.
I actually got the chance to talk to him once at a convention, and he said his favorite role was in The Beast of War. He's a great (classically trained) actor all around.
Edward James Olmos is also in the running, I think. From Blade Runner to Battlestar Galactica, many of his roles have been remarkable.
Irarguably? No. I would absolutely put Samuel L Jackson a close runner up if not the king in this category: Deep Blue Sea, Star Wars, Iron Man, the Spirit, Jumper, Sphere...... he's got some serious Sci-Fi cred in the past decade. He's not underrated, though.
But I love Weaving. Great choice.
@methodElevated@xanga - I would be hard pressed to call Avari a sci-fi only guy. He is definitely underrated though. A personal favorite of my own!
I exclaimed 'holy shit' when I read the latter half of that list. I agree.
mmmmmm love hugo weaving. also edward james olmos is insanely badass...
@raiderjester@xanga - Look, there is no end of love for Samuel L. He is the man. But Deep Blue Sea was the 90s, he was barely in Iron Man, and the world is a better place when we all pretend that The Spirit and Jumper don't exist.
Plus, even including all those movie they don't have near the cultural impact of weaving's movies.
@nprospect - Good point. You are absolutely correct, and I stand humbly corrected.
He deserves it!