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Thanos, The Joker and the 25 greatest superhero movie villains of all-time

By Michael Patterson

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: A Joker costume from the 2008 film The Dark Knight worn by actor Heath Ledger and designed by Lindy Hemming is on display at the DC Comics Exhibition: Dawn Of Super Heroes at the O2 Arena on February 22, 2018 in London, England. The exhibition, which opens on February 23rd, features 45 original costumes, models and props used in DC Comics productions including the Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman films. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: A Joker costume from the 2008 film The Dark Knight worn by actor Heath Ledger and designed by Lindy Hemming is on display at the DC Comics Exhibition: Dawn Of Super Heroes at the O2 Arena on February 22, 2018 in London, England. The exhibition, which opens on February 23rd, features 45 original costumes, models and props used in DC Comics productions including the Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman films. (Photo by Jack Taylor/Getty Images) /
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villains, Gene Hackman, Lex Luthor, movie villains
American actor, Gene Hackman. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images) /

13. Lex Luthor

Film: Superman, Superman II, Superman IV: The Quest For Peace

If you ever find yourself wanting to bellow out “Miss Teschmacher!” like there’s no tomorrow, then you’ve no doubt been influenced by Gene Hackman’s legendary portrayal of Lex Luthor in 1978’s Superman: The Movie. A line that even inspired Supergirl’s Lex (and Cat Grant), it’s just example of how larger-than-life Hackman’s Lex was.

The archetype of delicious villainy, Lex was something of a caricature, but never to the detriment of the film. He was as conniving and manipulative as his comic book counterpart, but he was also vivacious and loud in a way that would make most villains cry their eyes out with envy.

What’s even more incredible is that he managed to do all of this without even looking comic-accurate, as Hackman’s refusal to shave off his own hair resulted in the film having to write in that Lex donned wigs to conceal his bald head. A unique attempt to rewrite the Superman villain’s story, but one that absolutely fitted the tone of Richard Donner’s film – much like Hackman’s portrayal.

One of the very first superhero villains in what may just be the very first modern-day superhero movie, Lex was everything the film required him to be and much, much more. Thus, it’s hardly surprising that he returned for two sequels (though the less said about the latter, the better).

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