Ben Mendelsohn has been crowned the ‘king of Hollywood villains’ but the Australian actor reveals he’s tired of playing the bad guy – as he stars in a new comedy
Ben Mendelsohn has become known as the ‘king of Hollywood villains’.
His trademark menacing glare, seen in movies such as Ready Player One, Rogue One and Robin Hood, has become known as ‘The Full Mendo’.
But after playing the bad guy in over 14 films, the 51-year-old Australian actor is keen for some light relief.
Change: Ben Mendelsohn (pictured) has become known as the ‘king of Hollywood villains’. But after playing the bad guy in over 14 films, the Australian actor wants some light relief
‘It mainly played on my mind around about the time when I would do interviews or I would become self-aware of it,’ he told Stellar magazine of his villain status.
He added: ‘On one hand, what I used to say about it is absolutely true – it is an honour to play the bad guy. But I knew it wasn’t the only trick I had up my sleeve.’
Ben says he was ‘relieved’ to play a good cop in the film adaptation Stephen King novel The Outsider.
Angry fella! His trademark menacing glare, seen in movies such as Ready Player One, Star Wars film Rogue One and Robin Hood, has become known as ‘The Full Mendo’. Pictured in Ready Player One
He said of his career: ‘On one hand, what I used to say about it is absolutely true – it is an honour to play the bad guy. But I knew it wasn’t the only trick I had up my sleeve.’ Pictured in Robin Hood
He told the magazine: ‘It was reassuring in America because I understood how valuable it is to be framed in a different light.
‘I knew it was important and it is a relief. I can actually feel it in my body as I talk’.
The actor will next star in the dark comedy Babyteeth, which marks his first Australian-made film since 2010’s Animal Kingdom.
Updated resume: Ben says he was ‘relieved’ to play a good cop in the film adaptation Stephen King novel The Outsider (pictured). ‘I knew it was important and it is a relief. I can actually feel it in my body as I talk’ he said
Back in town: The actor will next star in the dark comedy Babyteeth (pictured) which marks his first Australian-made film since 2010’s Animal Kingdom
It tells the story of a teenage cancer victim who falls in love with a drug addict, and Ben calls the script ‘beautiful’.
Speaking to GQ magazine in 2018, Ben joked that he just plays a bad guy, ‘for the money’.
‘No, I love it fine, I love it fine. If people are interested in me doing this villain s**t then I am more than happy to provide,’ he said.
Read more: In this week’s Stellar magazine