This House of the Dragon Actor Deserves A Spot In Matt Reeves’ Batmanverse

Villains for The Batman: Part 2 remains a closely guarded secret by Matt Reeves and his crew at this stage. Thus, the choice of actors for them is further down the line. But even as The Batman sequel battles delays and fans seem to tuck the movie into the “sometime later” file, there’s a certain actor that checks all the boxes of whichever villain’s shoes he steps into: Paddy Considine…or, as some still call him, “King Viserys Targaryen 1.”

After delivering what many (George R.R. Martin himself included) have come to agree is the best performance in House of the Dragon, Considine is already a prime option among fans cast to play some of their most desired villains for The Batman sequel, such as Mr. Freeze, Mad Hatter, and Harvey Dent/Two-Face.

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Paddy Considine’s Emotional Range

It is common knowledge that Batman’s villain catalog is among — if not outright — the most diverse of any superhero, encompassing the mentally unstable, downright evil, powerhouses, science experiment botches, crime bosses, and geniuses. As expected, only the finest actors are picked by casting directors for such roles.

Paddy Considine’s impressive filmography is a testament to his vast acting range. From his role as the benevolent King Viserys in House of the Dragon to his performance as a revenge-driven soldier in Dead Man’s Shoes, his range and versatility are undeniable and align perfectly with the complex traits exhibited by Batman’s villains. His ability to convey emotions that permeate the very screen needs no introduction after his jaw-dropping stint in House of the Dragon. It’s a useful asset for villain portrayals, mainly because it can be harder for the former to connect with audiences. Considine can also bring his dark, villainy, and violent side to bear when called upon, like he did in Dead Man’s Shoes. Those familiar with the heart-broken character of Mr. Freeze, or the obsessive Mad Hatter, would agree that Considine’s skill set checks every box.

As a bonus, Reeves can be assured that Considine wouldn’t balk at the make-up chair. In House of the Dragon, the actor underwent a significant prosthetic transformation in the later episodes, not unlike the kind needed for portraying a character like Two-Face. They may not look like much, but prosthetics are uncomfortable, and getting them on is no easy task. Actors must sit still for hours while make-up artists work their magic — Colin Farell famously sat for hours as the make-up team gave him his anatomically correct prosthetic look in The Penguin. Freedom of movement and expression is a luxury not a guaranteed right as long those prosthetics on. In other words, Considine’s commitment to the craft is unquestionable.

Considine Has What It Takes To Command A Screen Shared With Batman

It’s a Sought-After Trait by Casting Directors for Iconic Villain Roles

Being a Batman villain is a tough job both for the character itself and for the actor. Matching the on-screen aura of the Caped Crusader is a hard ask for any actor, but it isn’t impossible. Heath Ledger’s Joker is generally regarded as the best thing in The Dark Knight, and arguably the best iteration of the iconic villain — or any villain at all — on the big screen. A Batman villain needs to have an overlap of menace and emotional complexity; in other words, they need to be a worthy adversary for the protector of Gotham.

Paddy Considine has the vital screen presence and range to not necessarily fill these extremely large shoes, but at least to measure up to and complement Robert Pattinson’s Batman in a way that Paul Dano’s Riddler and Colin Farell’s Penguin never did. Take Harvey Dent/Two-Face, for example. He’s a man who literally and metaphorically embodies duality, and whose inability to make the right decision leads to his mental decline and eventual haunting — not unlike Considine’s Viserys.

British Actors Make Great Batman Villains

A Proven Match Made in Heaven

Art is subjective, and performing arts even more so. But British and Irish actors have earned their stripes in Hollywood and the right to be called the finest breed. Long celebrated for their unequaled acting skills, Brits and Irishmen have brought their A-game to Gotham’s table of evil. Tom Hardy’s Bane and Cillian Murphy’s Scarecrow in The Dark Knight Rises, and Farrell’s The Penguin in The Batman and The Penguin, stand as evidence of such an assertion. The secret to the success of British and Irish villains has been attributed to their experience in the theater and perceived sophistication and menace, all of which Considine possesses. That British accent might need an American retouch though.

Considine’s Age Is a Deterrence

…or Is It?

Considine can change faces and play characters all he wants, but he can’t cheat nature. At 51 years old, he is already on the undesirable age grade casting directors consider for certain comic book roles. However, for Mad Hatter and Mr. Freeze, it’s not that much of an obstacle. Both characters are often portrayed in the 40 to 50 age range, with their psychological depth and backstories sometimes syncing more with the experience and gravitas of an actor in Considine’s age bracket. Two-Face is slightly younger: 35 to 40 years. But if Aaron Eckhart played the latter character at 40 years old, and convincingly so, why can’t Considine?

House of the Dragon

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Network

HBO Max

Showrunner

George R.R. Martin

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  Matt Smith

  Prince Daemon Targaryen

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  Emma D’Arcy

  Alicent Hightower

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  Olivia Cooke

  Ser Otto Hightower

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