Who Should Play Villain Omega Red In WOLVERINE 3?

A villain for Wolverine 3 hasn't been revealed or confirmed by anyone involved with the project. However, I've had my own suspicions that Omega Red (or at least his technology) was hinted to a couple of times in The Wolverine. With this in mind, I've put together a wish-list of sorts for who should be considered for the role, if it even exists to be filled.

One of the biggest complaints I've had with the X-Men films is that post-X2 they really haven't had a really solid villain. Magneto and Stryker being the best to date, while there was some interesting elements to Shaw (Kevin Bacon) he didn't give-off a real threat-vibe in First Class. I'm sure Apocalypse will be a worthy adversary for the team, but I'm kind of hoping Fox and producers consider a very familiar X-Men villain for Wolverine 3.

Arkady Rossovich/Omega Red is Logan's second biggest villain next to Sabertooth and has yet to make an appearance in the films. He's a serial-killer turned Soviet super-weapon (came before Brubaker's Winter Soldier storyline) and eventually becomes uncontrollable due to his life-force draining tentacles and madness. A sort of evil version of Wolverine, had Logan been a monster prior to his Weapon-X transformation. There could be a bunch of ways to introduce Rossovich considering the character has ties to the Japanese underworld (The Yakuza). At one point yakuza crimelord Matsu’o Tsurayaba (Matta) becomes his handler. In the comics, Tsurayaba attempts a take over of the Yashida Clan. This eventually leads to the death of Mariko.

My choices for candidates include Daniel Craig (Skyfall, Road To Perdition, Munich, Defiance), Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Headhunters, Game of Thrones, Gods of Egypt ), Viggo Mortensen (Eastern Promises, The Road, History of Violence) and Mads Mikkelsen (Hannibal, The Hunt, Valhalla Rising)

DANIEL CRAIG: Daniel has bit of trifecta when it comes to links to actors in the Wolverine franchise. He's previously worked with Hugh Jackman on the stage and also co-starred with Liev Schreiber (Sabertooth) in the Russian WWII thriller Defiance. A role which saw Craig speak more than a few lines in Russian, having an actor that can convincing speak a foreign language is a major asset. He also doesn't play many villains and this would be a chance to really let him loose. I loved how cruel and dark he was in Road To Perdition, perhaps this could further explore that dark side. The only problem is that Craig could be called-up to shoot Bond 25 during the expected 2016 shoot for Wolverine 3. Not to mention Craig's price-tag might scare-off studios looking to save a few dollars.

NIKOLAJ COSTER-WALDU: We've already seen his Game of Thrones co-star Peter Dinklage take the villainous role of Trask in Days of Future Past, why not include Nikolaj as well? He's got the look and brooding dark side needed for a role like this. He's yet to really jump feet-first into the comic book genre, even though he was in mix for a role in The Winter Soldier. He surprises me every episode of Thrones and played a solid villain in Headhunters.

VIGGO MORTENSEN: He might be hardest of the bunch to convince, but Viggo has the skills to really pull-off a morbid villain like this. The only problem is that Viggo sees himself more of an actor's actor, taking on more independent roles than big commercial ones post-LOTR. If Fox was aiming to shut-up a lot of critics suspect of the intentions of this project, hiring him could peak a lot of interest of film nerds. Landing the actor could prove to be hardest casting addition to the X-Men franchise.

MADS MIKKELSEN: He's already been linked for meeting with Marvel Studios about roles in Thor: The Dark World and possibly Doctor Strange, but nothing officially has been announced concerning those talks. Obviously, Mads is open to the idea and has starred in genre projects before. Fox could strike before Marvel get's around to finally hiring him, and he'd make a very chilling Omega Red for sure. Unlike, Craig he's likely able to commit to a project like this and has more of an open-mind than Viggo.

RUMOR: Mads Mikkelsen Being Eyed For Role In DOCTOR STRANGE?

BleedingCool is giving us an early rumor concerning the casting of Marvel's Doctor Strange. I say early, because it's only coming from one source. There also isn't a role being mentioned, but none the less the name is interesting enough to consider it. Plus, BC has had a couple of solid scoops in the past.

They have heard that Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale, Hannibal, King Arthur, Pusher Trilogy, Clash of The Titans, Three Musketeers, Valhalla Rising) had been or is in the mix, for an unknown role in Strange. You might remember that Mads had been originally wanted for Malekith in Thor: The Dark World, but exited the project to focus on his series Hannibal (which eventually became a hit). His recent film The Hunt has been nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at this year's Oscars.

I'm taking this rumor a little more serious than the previous ones. Mikkelsen has a couple connections to the people Marvel was reportedly meeting with to direct and write for the the project. Nikolaj Arcel directed Mads in the film A Royal Affair. He'll also lend his voice for Kung Fu Panda 3, the writers of that film could possibly pen the Strange script. Add that Marvel previously wanted him for main role, it sounds likely that the studio is at least interested in him.

This isn't the first actor being linked or rumored for Strange. The names we've heard over the last two years include Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Dark Knight Rises, Don Jon, Inception, Looper), Johnny Depp (old meeting with Marvel), Javier Bardem (Skyfall, No Country For Old Men, The Counselor), Jon Hamm (I can confirm has met with Marvel for unnamed project) and possibly Benedict Cumberbatch (Hobbit, Star Trek Into Darkness, Sherlock, War Horse).

SOURCE: BLEEDINGCOOL

Nicolas Winding Refn And Mads Mikkelsen Making VALHALLA RISING Sequel Set In A Futuristic Tokyo?

ThePlaylist had a recent interview with Nicolas Winding Refn who teased about returning to the character One-Eye from Valhalla Rising played by Mads Mikkelsen. He gave the impression he's currently knocking around ideas which may include One-Eye thrown into a futuristic setting in Tokyo. This gives the impression either he's an immortal or a time-traveller.

Mads Mikkelsen And Ralph Fiennes Join John Le Carre Adaptation OUR KIND OF TRAITOR Starring Ewan McGregor

ThePlaylist reports that Mads Mikkelsen (Pusher II, Casino Royale) and Ralph Fiennes (Skyfall, In Bruges) have joined Our Kind Of Traitors. The John Le Carre adaptation will be directed by Justin Kurzel (The Snowtown Murders), scripted by Hossein Amini (Drive) with Ewan McGregor (Trainspotting, The Impossible) in the lead. It centers on a British couple (McGregor and ?) that get mixed up with a money-laundering Russian (Mikkelsen) while he's in the process of defecting.  The couple end up getting in between the Russian Mafia and Secret Service.

Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty, Mama, The Help) had been linked to play McGregor's wife but it's unknown if she'll end up in the film.

'THOR: THE DARK WORLD' Casting Updates

Chuck actor Zachary Levi confirmed on The Tonight Show (via CBM) that he will indeed play Fandral in the newly titled Thor: The Dark World replacing Josh Dallas who exited the franchise. Levi had originally been pursued for the role but because of commitments to his NBC series (now cancelled) had to turn it down.

In other casting news Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen who had been wanted for the villain in the sequel has removed himself from talks (via ThePlaylist).

Nicolas Winding Refn Could Direct Hitman Thriller 'BUTTON MAN'

Deadline has word that Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn is currently in talks with Dreamworks to direct their thriller Button Man: The Killing Game which is based on a graphic novel. The project has a script from screenwriter Hilary Seitz who wrote Christopher Nolan's serial killer thriller Insomnia. Giving the impression it could be ready to go into production this year. Nicolas just wrapped production on his next film Only God Forgives and seemingly won't be making Logan's Run anytime soon since plans for that production start haven't been made.

The action revolves around Harry Exton, a hired gun who’s offered a fortune to take part in a game organized by bored millionaires that sets trained killers against one another in a fight to the death. The fat cats bet on the proceedings, and when Exton gets disgusted and opts out, his only exit strategy might be to off the millionaires funding the competition.

ProductionWeekly had reported a rumor that Leonardo DiCaprio was in talks for Harry Exton. EW would later debunk the rumor and DiCaprio is not even involved. I wouldn't be shocked to see Ryan Gosling or Mads Mikkelsen step up to the plate here. Then again DiCaprio has been attracted to projects mainly because of the directors involved, so you never know if he'd turn down an offer if Nicolas was directing it.

Trailer For Cannes Winner 'THE HUNT' Starring Mads Mikkelsen

SPECULATION: Mads Mikkelsen Up For Malekith Or Sutur In 'THOR 2'?

It's starting to sound like the villain of Thor 2 is going to be a one of the big ones from Thor's limited rouges gallery. As Chris Hemsworth put down talk of Thanos being the baddie of the film stating they needed "a bigger fish". Kevin Feige has confirmed this by axing the Thanos rumor again stating he'll be a "future" villain giving the impression that he'll be saved for Avengers 2 or Guardians of Galaxy. Feige also mentions the villain of the Thor sequel will indeed be a "major new antagonist". Giving the impression that Loki, Skurge, Ulik and other supporting villains are not going to be the main threat of the picture. The only "major" unused Thor villains are Hela, Surtur and Malekith. Consideirng that Mads Mikkelsen is linked for this role it's likely down to Malekith and Surtur, which both would be excellent cinematic villains.

Kevin Feige Debunks Thanos In 'THOR 2' Rumor

Marvel's Kevin Feige spoke to Empire about the upcoming production of Thor 2. He confirms what Chris Hemsworth had been saying about the new facelift to Asgard along with commenting on the rumors of Thanos being the main baddie of the sequel. Kevin states they have a "majaor new antagonist" for the film who will likely be played by the rumored addition Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royale). Thanos could be saved for a future film, perhaps Guardians of The Galaxy or Avengers 2.


"We're going to see the other side of Asgard. It's not all polished and golden in this film. And the events of Avengers will have affected Thor for sure. His relationship with Loki will continue to evolve, and the biggest part is Natalie and Thor returning with Jane Foster."


"No, future, future. But there will be a major new villain. A major, major new antagonist..."

FAN MADE: Two Teaser Posters For 'THOR 2'

Mads Mikkelsen Is The Villain Of 'THOR 2'

ShowBlitz reports that Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (Casino Royal, Clash of The Titans, Pusher 2) is in talks with Marvel to take the villain role in Thor 2. The part is unknown but at least we know the villain will be male excluding Hela. My guess is that Mads is likely inline to play Agardians Balder The Brave who is the rightful heir to Odin, former defender of the realms Tyr who was replaced by Thor or dark elf Malekith The Accursed. It's also possible he could be up for Surtur, Ulik or even Thanos. They also state that Hiddleston (Loki) will be a baddie again. I'm sure Mikkelsen's viking thriller Valhalla Rising had something to do with his casting.