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‘Speak No Evil’ Exclusive Interview: James McAvoy
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Opening in theaters on September 13th is the new psychological thriller ‘Speak No Evil’, which was directed by James Watkins (‘The Woman in Black’) and is a remake of the 2022 Danish film of the same name.

The movie stars James McAvoy (‘X-Men: First Class’ and ‘Split’), Mackenzie Davis (‘Terminator: Dark Fate’), Scoot McNairy (‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’), and Aisling Franciosi (‘The Last Voyage of the Demeter’).

Related Article: James McAvoy Making Directorial Debut with ‘California Schemin’’

James McAvoy stars in ‘Speak No Evil’.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in-person with James McAvoy to talk about his work on ‘Speak No Evil’, his first reaction to the screenplay, his approach to his character and his motivations, working with the cast, and collaborating on set with director James Watkins.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Scoot McNairy and director James Watkins.

(L to R) Paddy (James McAvoy) and Ciara (Aisling Franciosi) in ‘Speak No Evil’, directed by James Watkins.

Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and why did you want to be part of this project?

James McAvoy: There are two things. I really liked the fact that there was this couple that were good people, and they were unhappy, and they had a relationship that you would never wish on your worst enemy. Then you’ve got these bad people who are so incredibly deeply, passionately in love, and you know they’re having sex every other minute, and It’s the kind of relationship you could only dream of. I thought that was such a good juxtaposition to have the bad people be the thing you aspire to, and the good people be the thing you would never want to be.

MF: Can you talk about your approach to playing Paddy and what are his true motivations?

JM: I mean, his motivations are completely selfish and self-serving, and he’s a complete narcissist, and he’s a sociopath. He’s toxically masculine and happy about it, which is the key thing I think, was that as much as he’s all these bad things, he does have one thing that not everybody does. Lots of good people don’t have this. He has the secret to being happy. He’s got loads of rage issues, he’s got loads of anger, all that, and he’s abusive and he’s manipulative, but he’s happy and that is such a draw for people to be around. You can go like, how’s that person got there? I want to get there because so many good people don’t have that capacity, it seems.

(L to R) Agnes Dalton (Alix West Lefler), Louise Dalton (Mackenzie Davis) and Ben Dalton (Scoot McNairy) in ‘Speak No Evil’, directed by James Watkins.

MF: What was it like working with Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy?

JM: Mackenzie and Scoot were incredible, as was Aisling who played Ciara, Paddy’s wife, but I think Louise played by Mackenzie is less vulnerable. She sees the problem that Paddy could present much earlier. Ben is played by Scoot, and he gives an incredible performance. Scoot is much more like Paddy in real life than I am, not sociopathic or dangerous, but he’s a man of the woods. He hunts and he can fix things and can build his own house. He’s much more Paddy than me, and he plays this injured, kind of hurt masculine creature so well, and so he’s much more vulnerable. If Paddy’s like a lion searching the herd for the lame beast that he can take down the easiest, when he sees Ben, he’s like, “That’s our mark. That’s who we want”. He’s just so ripe for the brainwashing that Paddy wants to perform.

MF: The film deals with some dark subjects but also includes kids in the cast, what was it like working with them on set?

JM: They were great. They had the summer of their lives. It was like two kids, similar age, running about a big farmstead with loads of countryside around us, searching for bugs and doing arts and crafts and doing class, and then coming in every now and again and doing a really messed up scene about abuse. So, it was interesting and strange to see just how relaxed and okay they were. We were constantly checking in with them, constantly checking in with their families and their chaperones to make sure everything was okay. But they seemed great, and so professional, admirably professional like up there with Saoirse Ronan when she was 12 years old professional. They were brilliant.

(L to R) James McAvoy (as Dalton) and Director James Watkins on the set of ‘Speak No Evil’.

MF: Finally, what was James Watkins like to work with as a director on set?

JM: He’s free, open, really welcoming of ideas and suggestions, but at the same time, tightly calibrating and orchestrating this tightrope walk, which on one side of it has a lot of comedy, and then the other side has a lot of scares and fear and horror, but you can’t really jump either side until the end of the movie. You’ve got to stay on that tightrope so that both things are always possible. But he was brilliant. He had it so tightly wound.
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What is the plot of ‘Speak No Evil’?

A dream holiday in a beautiful country house becomes a psychological nightmare.

Who is in the cast of ‘Speak No Evil’?
- James McAvoy as Paddy
- Mackenzie Davis as Louise Dalton
- Scoot McNairy as Ben Dalton
- Aisling Franciosi as Ciara
- Alix West Lefler as Agnes Dalton
- Dan Hough as Ant
(L to R) Ben Dalton (Scoot McNairy) and Paddy (James McAvoy) in ‘Speak No Evil’, directed by James Watkins.

Other James McAvoy Movies:
- ‘The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe‘ (2005)
- ‘The Last King of Scotland‘ (2006)
- ‘Atonement‘ (2007)
- ‘Wanted‘ (2008)
- ‘X-Men: First Class‘ (2011)
- ‘Trance‘ (2013)
- ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past‘ (2014)
- ‘X-Men: Apocalypse‘ (2016)
- ‘Split‘ (2016)
- ‘Atomic Blonde‘ (2017)
- ‘Deadpool 2‘ (2018)
- ‘Glass‘ (2019)
- ‘Dark Phoenix‘ (2019)
- ‘It Chapter Two‘ (2019)
- ‘The Book of Clarence‘ (2024)
Buy Tickets: ‘Speak No Evil’ Movie Showtimes

Buy James McAvoy Movies on Amazon
September 10, 2024
Every Hugh Jackman Wolverine Appearance, Ranked

Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

For almost twenty-five years Hugh Jackman has been playing Wolverine on screen, longer than any other actor has consecutively portrayed a live-action comic book character.

The actor has appeared as the character in six different ‘X-Men‘ movies and three ‘Wolverine‘ movies including the critically acclaimed ‘Logan,’ which was supposed to be his final appearance as the beloved character.

However, Jackman will reprise his signature role one more time opposite his good friend Ryan Reynolds in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine‘, which is the third movie in the ‘Deadpool‘ franchise but the first to take place in the MCU and will open in theaters on July 26th.

In honor of Jackman’s return to the character, Moviefone is counting down every Hugh Jackman appearance as Wolverine, including his cameos and his latest film.

Let’s begin!

11. ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine‘ (2009)

Hugh Jackman in ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

After seeking to live a normal life, Logan (Hugh Jackman) sets out to avenge the death of his girlfriend by undergoing the mutant Weapon X program and becoming Wolverine.
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10. ‘X-Men: Apocalypse‘ (2016)

Hugh Jackman in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

After the re-emergence of the world’s first mutant, world-destroyer Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac), the X-Men must unite to defeat his extinction level plan. Jackman appears as Wolverine in a cameo.
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9. ‘X-Men: The Last Stand‘ (2006)

(L to R) Haley Berry and Hugh Jackman in ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

When a cure is found to treat mutations, lines are drawn amongst the X-Men—led by Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart)—and the Brotherhood, a band of powerful mutants organised under Xavier’s former ally, Magneto (Ian McKellen).
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8. ‘Deadpool 2‘ (2018)

(L to R) Zazie Beetz as Domino, Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson / Deadpool, and Terry Crews as Bedlam in ‘Deadpool 2.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Wisecracking mercenary Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) battles the powerful Cable (Josh Brolin) and other bad guys to save a boy’s life. Jackman appears as Wolverine in an end credit cameo.
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7. ‘X-Men: First Class‘ (2011)

(L to R) James McAvoy, Hugh Jackman and Michael Fassbender in ‘X-Men: First Class’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Before Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lensherr (Michael Fassbender) took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were arch-enemies, they were closest of friends, working together with other mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. Jackman appears as Wolverine in a cameo.
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6. ‘X-Men‘ (2000)

Hugh Jackman in ‘X-Men’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Explore the lure of the Old West and how it was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many. Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, embark on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.
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5. ‘The Wolverine‘ (2013)

Hugh Jackman in ‘The Wolverine’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Wolverine (Jackman) faces his ultimate nemesis – and tests of his physical, emotional, and mortal limits – in a life-changing voyage to modern-day Japan.
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4. ‘X2‘ (2003)

Hugh Jackman in ‘X2’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

A former gunslinger (Costner) is forced to take up arms again when he and his cattle crew are threatened by a corrupt lawman (Michael Gambon).
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3. ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past‘ (2014)

Hugh Jackman in ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods as they join forces with their younger selves in an epic battle that must change the past – to save our future.
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2. ‘Deadpool & Wolverine‘ (2024)

(L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ delivers the ultimate, iconic, cinematic team-up throw-down on July 26th.
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1. ‘Logan‘ (2017)

Hugh Jackman in ‘Logan’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Wounded Civil War soldier, John Dunbar (Costner) tries to commit suicide—and becomes a hero instead. As a reward, he’s assigned to his dream post, a remote junction on the Western frontier, and soon makes unlikely friends with the local Sioux tribe.
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July 25, 2024
Every Matthew Vaughn Movie, Ranked

Director Matthew Vaughn with Chip the cat (playing Alfie) on the set of ‘Argylle.’

After spending years as director Guy Ritchie‘s producer, director Matthew Vaughn has emerged as one of the most exciting and original filmmakers working today.

As a director, Vaughn first burst on to the scene with the brilliant and groundbreaking movie ‘Layer Cake,’ which introduced audiences to a pre-Bond Daniel Craig.

Since then he has adapted several popular comic books and graphic novels to the big screen including ‘Stardust,’ ‘Kick-Ass,’ ‘X-Men: First Class,’ ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service,’ its sequel ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle,’ and it’s prequel ‘The King’s Man.’

His new movie, the spy comedy ‘Argylle,’ which stars Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell, opens in theaters on February 2nd.

In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down every movie Matthew Vaughn has ever directed, including his latest.

Let’s begin!

8. ‘The King’s Man‘ (2021)

(L to R) Harris Dickinson and Ralph Fiennes in ‘The King’s Man.’ Photo: 20th Century Studios.

As a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions, one man (Ralph Fiennes) must race against time to stop them.
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7. ‘Stardust‘ (2007)

(L to R) Claire Danes and Charlie Cox in ‘Stardust.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

In a countryside town bordering on a magical land, a young man (Charlie Cox) makes a promise to his beloved (Sienna Miller) that he’ll retrieve a fallen star by venturing into the magical realm. His journey takes him into a world beyond his wildest dreams and reveals his true identity.
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6. ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle‘ (2017)

(L to R) Taron Egerton, Colin Firth and Pedro Pascal in ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

When an attack on the Kingsman headquarters takes place and a new villain rises, Eggsy (Taron Egerton) and Merlin (Mark Strong) are forced to work together with the American agency known as the Statesman to save the world.
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5. ‘Argylle‘ (2024)

(L to R) Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa, and John Cena in ‘Argylle,’ directed by Matthew Vaughn.

When the plots of reclusive author Elly Conway’s (Bryce Dallas Howard) fictional espionage novels begin to mirror the covert actions of a real-life spy organization, quiet evenings at home become a thing of the past. Accompanied by her cat Alfie and Aiden (Sam Rockwell), a cat-allergic spy, Elly races across the world to stay one step ahead of the killers as the line between Conway’s fictional world and her real one begins to blur.
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4. ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service‘ (2014)

(L to R) Colin Firth and Taron Egerton in ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

The story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid (Taron Egerton) into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.
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3. ‘X-Men: First Class‘ (2011)

(L to R) Caleb Landry Jones, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne, Nicholas Hoult, James McAvoy, and Lucas Till in ‘X-Men: First Class.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Before Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lensherr (Michael Fassbender) took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were arch-enemies, they were closest of friends, working together with other mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known.
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2. ‘Kick-Ass‘ (2010)

(L to R) Aaron Johnson and Chloë Grace Moretz in ‘Kick-Ass.’ Photo: Lionsgate.

Dave Lizewski (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is an unnoticed high school student and comic book fan who one day decides to become a super-hero, even though he has no powers, training or meaningful reason to do so.
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1. ‘Layer Cake‘ (2005)

(L to R) Colm Meaney, Daniel Craig, and George Harris in ‘Layer Cake.’ Photo: Columbia Pictures.

When a seemingly straight-forward drug deal goes awry, XXXX (Daniel Craig) has to break his die-hard rules and turn up the heat, not only to outwit the old regime and come out on top, but to save his own skin…
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February 5, 2024
Fanfare for Fox’s ‘X-Men:’ The Franchise’s 13 Best Action Scenes

20th Century Fox

Simon Kinberg’s “Dark Phoenix” marks the culmination of almost 20 years of groundbreaking superhero movies. Despite the series’ ups and downs, Fox’s franchise not only popularized but legitimized modern comic book adaptations on the silver screen thanks to stories that created larger than life adventures while touching upon real-world issues. Of course, they also delivered some of the coolest and most thrilling action sequences of the past two decades. So as the franchise comes to an end (before they eventually phase over to the MCU), Moviefone takes a look back at the best of the best — the brutal fights, chases and showdowns that changed the way we look at superheroes.

20th Century Fox

“X-Men” (2000) – Statue of Liberty Torch Battle

Bryan Singer’s original film feels almost primitive at this point, made before the proper technical advancements could bring these sequences to life (fully), but the filmmaker still delivered an incredible final set piece as the X-Men fight to save world leaders atop the Statue of Liberty. It’s a scene that vitally emphasizes their individual strengths and even more importantly, their cooperation and teamwork.

20th Century Fox

“X2: X-Men United” (2003) – Nightcrawler White House Assassination Attempt

Singer threw the audience into the action in the second film with this bravura sequence where a mind-controlled Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming) teleports his way past White House security to make an attempt on the President’s life. Breathless and beautifully composed.

20th Century Fox

“X2: X-Men United” (2003) – Stryker’s Assault on the X-Mansion

Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) always seems like he’s about one hangnail away from berserker mode, but in this siege on X-Mansion, we really get to see him cut loose (pun intended) on Colonel Stryker’s (Brian Cox) men as he protects Xavier’s more vulnerable students.

20th Century Fox

“X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006) – Magneto Lifts the Golden Gate Bridge

There are some mutants whose powers are so strong it feels like they can do anything, but the movies don’t always reflect their omnipotence. But Brett Ratner beautifully depicts the magnitude of Magneto’s (Ian McKellen) abilities in an attack on Alcatraz that starts when he literally lifts the Golden Gate Bridge as a conveyance for the evil Brotherhood.

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“X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009) – Helicopter Chase

Director Gavin Hood’s spin-off is not an especially successful first installment of what became a terrific parallel franchise, but he combines the poignant and powerful in this scene where Agent Zero (Daniel Henney) kills the elderly couple protecting Logan after he escapes from Stryker’s (Danny Huston) lab, and the future Wolverine returns the favor by destroying the soldier’s helicopter.

20th Century Fox

“X-Men: First Class” (2011) – Cuban Missile Crisis

Matthew Vaughn took a real risk by integrating real-world history into the fictional background for the X-Men, but it paid off in this climactic sequence where the world’s nations launch missiles to end a potentially explosive conflict between warring factions of mutants.

20th Century Fox

“The Wolverine” (2013) – Funeral/ Yakuza Train Fight

James Mangold’s follow-up to “X-Men Origins” makes a substantial leap in quality, thanks especially to Mangold’s skill in constructing sequences like the funeral assassination that leads into an incredible showdown between Logan and would-be Yakuza kidnappers atop a Japanese bullet train.

20th Century Fox

“X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014) – X-Men vs. Sentinels

Far be it from me to cheer the deaths of our beloved X-Men, but Singer’s return to the franchise showcases the deadly power of one of the team’s most iconic foes, the Sentinels, as they defeat and literally dismember the team in a distant post-apocalyptic future.

20th Century Fox

“X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) – Quicksilver Prison Break

As incredible as the core X-Men are, the introduction of Quicksilver (Evan Peters) gave the franchise an incredible jolt of energy, especially in this show-stopping set piece where he stops a room full of security guards in a matter of seconds, all set to the tune of Jim Croce’s “Time In A Bottle.”

20th Century Fox

“Deadpool” (2016) – Highway Battle

To be fair, the highway chase in “Deadpool” takes up a good 35 minutes or more of screen time in the character’s first outing as a solo, uh, anti-hero. But the opening sequences that unfold in slow motion, making fun of not just superhero theatrics but the very filmmakers responsible for creating such an irreverent adventure, still rank among the best moments ever in a superhero movie.

20th Century Fox

“X-Men: Apocalypse” (2016) – Quiksilver Saves the X-Men

Singer’s final outing as director marked a depressing nadir for the series, but in trying to duplicate the success of its predecessor, he still created one sequence that, if familiar, was at least entertaining, as Quicksilver springs into action to rescue the X-Men as the mansion explodes.

20th Century Fox

“Logan” (2017) – Logan and Laura Escape His Mexican Hideout

Mangold had considerably more success than Singer revisiting the material he made his own in this, widely regarded as the best X-Movie ever made. But in this early sequence, Logan discovers that his young charge has her own powers — plus a nasty temper — as they attempt to escape in a fight that leads into a messy chase, and eventually, evasion by the skin of their teeth.

20th Century Fox

“Deadpool 2” (2018) – X-Force United

Deadpool’s irreverence reached its peak in this amazing scene from the sequel where the character’s freshly-assembled team meets its demise almost immediately, but he and the lone survivor, Domino (Zazie Beetz), find themselves in the midst of a battle atop a runaway convoy that also happens to be carrying the Juggernaut.

June 7, 2019
The 11 Best Franchise Reboots, From ‘The Mummy’ to ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’

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May 7, 2019
11 Marvel Villains That Deserve Their Own Movie After ‘Venom’

Sony

“Venom” finally hits theaters this week, and this Spider-Man spinoff will answer one important question: Are superhero fans willing to turn out for movies that focus on the villains of the Marvel Universe for a change?

We hope so, because there are plenty of Marvel villains who deserve the spotlight after Eddie Brock. Here are our top candidates.

Doctor Doom

Marvel

Doctor Doom is widely revered as one of the greatest villains in all of superhero comics, yet he’s never really been given his due on the big screen. That’s putting it politely.

Rather than waste time with another Fantastic Four origin movie, we want to see the proud ruler of Latveria succeed on his own term for a change. “Fargo” showrunner Noah Hawley is reportedly developing a Doom solo movie, but with Disney buying Fox, we’re afraid that project may be falling through the cracks.

The Enchantress

Marvel

The Thor movies have done a pretty respectable job of cycling through the god of thunder’s rogues gallery, even if that means some of them don’t quite get the attention they deserve (*cough* Surtur *cough*). At this point, the biggest villain yet to be given her due is The Enchantress, a powerful sorceress with an unhealthy obsession with Thor.

We think that unrequited love would make for a great starting point as the movie explores what it’s like to be an Asgardian outcast. And if the movie serves as an excuse to bring back Karl Urban’s Skurge, so much the better.

Kang the Conqueror

Marvel

Few villains have tormented the Avengers as regularly or as viciously as Kang. This futuristic tyrant has mastered the art of time travel and used it to make himself master of the world in various timelines.

The time travel element could result in a really entertaining, mind-bending storyline. And there’s no need to really bring the Avengers into the picture. Because Kang has taken many forms and many identities in his unnaturally long life, he can serve as his own worst enemy. Pit idealistic teen hero Iron Lad against the tyrannical Kang and you’ve got yourself a Marvel movie.

Sabretooth

Marvel

For as many X-Men movies as Fox has churned out over the last two decades, they haven’t made much use of the franchise’s key villains outside of Magneto and a handful of others. Sabretooth is an especially painful case, as Fox completely squandered the opportunity to flesh out Wolverine’s #1 rival in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.” This time, we want to see a solo Sabretooth movie that really gets into the back-story of how Victor Creed turned into such a remorseless killer.

Kingpin

Marvel/Netflix

Sure, Wilson Fisk has been getting plenty of screen time on “Marvel’s Daredevil,” with the villain set to play another major role in the upcoming third season. But even with all that exposure, we still want to see more of old Willy.

A feature film would allow Marvel to shine a spotlight on the struggles of establishing a criminal empire in the Marvel Universe. We say keep Vincent D’Onofrio in the lead role, but this time pit him against Tom Holland‘s Spider-Man instead of Charlie Cox‘s Daredevil for a change.

Doctor Octopus

Marvel

As far as Spider-Man movie villains go, none can rival Alfred Molina’s Doctor Octopus in “Spider-Man 2.” That’s a tough act to follow, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty more that can be accomplished with the character.

As “Spider-Man 2” showed us, he’s a compelling and sympathetic character regardless of his connection to Spider-Man. There’s even potential in an adaptation of the series “Superior Spider-Man,” wherein a dying Otto Octavius hijacks Peter Parker’s body and tries to prove himself a more capable hero. If Sony wants to do a Doc Ock movie set outside the MCU, that might be the direction to go.

Maestro

Marvel

Marvel has clearly given up on trying to do solo Hulk movies. We don’t necessarily blame them, but it would be a shame if Hulk was doomed to forever be a supporting player in other character’s movies. Why not shake things up and make a movie about Maestro instead?

Maestro is an evil version of Hulk from an alternate future, one who’s much stronger and much smarter than his heroic counterpart. We’d love a good post-apocalyptic movie where a bearded Hulk lords over the ruins of a once shining Marvel Universe. Bring some “Mad Max” into the MCU.

Magneto

Fox

We know what you’re thinking. Isn’t Magneto the one X-Men villain who’s been treated right by Fox’s movies? Yes, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve more time in the spotlight. At one point, Fox was planning a Magneto origin movie (before “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” swiftly killed that series).

As it is, X-Men: First Class” is at its best early on, when the focus is on the relationship between Magneto and Charles Xavier and the former’s slow evolution from tortured Holocaust survivor to supervillain. Make that the focal point of a movie and use it to introduce a brand-new Magneto into the MCU.

Taskmaster

Marvel

The Marvel Universe is crammed full of elite, super-powered assassins, but none are deadlier or more entertaining than Taskmaster. This flamboyantly dressed villain has the power of photographic reflexes. He can mimic the fighting style of any person he watches, allowing him to throw a shield like Captain America or slice up ninja goons like Wolverine. The drawback to that is that his memories are constantly fading to make room for all that new data.

That dilemma is the perfect launching point for a Taskmaster movie. Tasky would be great as the antagonist in a “Deadpool” sequel, but we’d just as soon see him as the protagonist instead.

Emma Frost

Marvel

To date, the X-Men franchise has given us two wildly different takes on Emma Frost, one abysmal and one kinda okay. Maybe the third time will be the charm? There’s a huge amount of untapped potential with this character. In the comics, she’s hard to pin down as either hero or villain, as she’s both opposed the X-Men as a member of the Hellfire Club and joined the X-Men for extended periods.

On the surface, she likes to project an aura of calm, detached authority, but there are real flaws beneath her diamond exterior. Flaws that would make for a very compelling X-Men spinoff.

Kraven the Hunter

Marvel

Kraven is pretty low on the totem pole when it comes to powerful Spider-Man villains, yet he’s come closer than almost any of them to actually killing the wallcrawler. One of the most accomplished hunters in the world, Sergei Kravinoff devoted himself to taking down the ultimate superhuman prey.

We’d love to see a movie that adapts “Kraven’s Last Hunt,” a seminal story where a dying Kraven buries Spidey alive and becomes Spider-Man himself. That’s one way to justify a Spider-Man spinoff without having Spidey in it.

The good news is that a Kraven movie is one of several in the pipeline at Sony, so it could happen in the next few years.

September 28, 2018