Mads Mikkelsen is a popular Danish actor known for his roles as villains and morally ambiguous characters in films like Casino Royale, Hannibal, and Doctor Strange. While many appreciate his acting talents, some people have expressed dislike towards Mikkelsen himself. This article explores the possible reasons behind this dislike.
Villainous film roles
One major reason why some people dislike Mikkelsen is that they struggle to dissociate the actor from the villainous characters he has portrayed. Some of his most famous roles include:
- Le Chiffre in 2006’s Casino Royale – a manipulative, torture-happy financier funding terrorists
- Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the TV series Hannibal – an ingenious serial killer and cannibal
- Kaecilius in 2016’s Doctor Strange – a corrupted sorcerer seeking destructive immortality
Many filmgoers fail to separate Mikkelsen from the evil personas he depicts so compellingly on screen. This causes them to transfer their dislike of the characters onto him.
| Film | Villainous Role |
|---|---|
| Casino Royale | Le Chiffre |
| Hannibal (TV series) | Hannibal Lecter |
| Doctor Strange | Kaecilius |
Cold and aloof demeanor
Another reason for the dislike towards Mikkelsen is his reserved off-screen personality, which some interpret as being cold or aloof.
In interviews, the actor comes across as quite serious, pragmatic and distant. While likely just his professional work persona, some misconstrue this perceived coldness as lack of empathy or even arrogance.
Combined with the vivid villains he plays on screen, Mikkelsens’s distant real-life demeanor further entrenches him to some viewers as unlikeable. The stark contrast between his various evil characters and detached personal manner rubs certain people the wrong way.
Typecasting as a villain
Mikkelsen has spoken publicly against typecasting actors into certain roles, yet seems to have become somewhat typecast himself as a villain. Many of his major film and TV roles depict morally bankrupt characters, including:
| Production | Villain Role |
|---|---|
| Casino Royale | Le Chiffre |
| Valhalla Rising | One-Eye |
| Hannibal (TV series) | Hannibal Lecter |
| Doctor Strange | Kaecilius |
The sheer volume of evil personalities he has successfully portrayed means that’s the role many directors offer him now. Some fans who want to see Mikkelsen stretch his acting chops with more varied roles have come to dislike this perceived villain typecasting.
Difficulty separating actor from character
Mikkelsen is an extremely talented method actor wholly committed to realistically portraying his fictional roles, no matter how dark or twisted. A consequence is that some viewers struggle to dissociate the actor from the disturbing characters her plays on screen.
For example, Anthony Hopkins is remembered more for his acting brilliance in portraying Hannibal Lecter rather than as the fictional cannibal himself. In contrast, Mads Mikkelsen became Dr. Lecter so convincingly in the Hannibal TV series that many automatically disliked him afterwards.
In essence, Mikkelsen is almost too good at his craft, making certain characters so realistic that some folks falsely attribute those evil qualities to the actor himself.
Past of minor controversies
Earlier in his career, Mikkelsen was mired in a few minor controversies that, while mostly trivial, may have affected his public perception:
- Drunk driving incident – In 1996, he crashed his car while driving over the alcohol limit. He’s avoided discussing it since.
- Tax fine – In 2006, he was ordered to pay a large fine for inaccurately reporting and paying taxes from 1999-2001.
While certainly not major scandals, these past slip-ups likely colored some people’s opinion of Mikkelsen negatively. However, he’s avoided controversy and maintained professionalism over the last 15+ years.
Difficulty competing with predecessor
A unique factor is that Mikkelsen replaced an iconic Hannibal Lecter actor in Anthony Hopkins from The Silence of the Lambs. Inevitably draws between the two actors emerged, often unfavorably comparing Mikkelsen to the legendary Hopkins/Lecter performance.
While Mikkelsen made the character his own in the TV series, Hopkins’ incredible Oscar-winning portrayal created impossibly large shoes to fill. Some simply disliked him for not being Hopkins, despite both actors delivering top-notch but appropriately distinct takes on Lecter.
Openly criticizes cancel culture
In recent interviews, Mikkelsen has spoken against extreme political correctness and so-called “cancel culture”. He stated:
“This cancel culture, this quick judgement… it’s very complicated because social media is a gift in many ways, but it is also a tsunami of opinions. You cannot have an opinion before you have checked everything carefully, and that takes some time.“
Such moderate stances likely attract criticism from those holding more extreme ideological positions. Some attempts at “cancelling” public figures who question such trends have possibly rubbed off on Mikkelsen too.
In summary, he dislikes dogmatic thinking around canceling those who stray from accepted speech or thought patterns. This reasonable view sadly can still draw unreasonable attacks nowadays.
People Like Mads Mikkelsen
However, it’s not all dislike – Mikkelsen has a major fan following globally as well who appreciate him, both as an actor and a person:
Superb, versatile acting ability
Most fans deeply admire Mikkelsen primarily for his immense acting talent and on-screen presence. He disappears wholly into roles varying from sadistic villains to emotionally complex anti-heroes. Directors like Nicolas Wending Refn and Bryan Fuller regularly collaborate with him, confirming his skills.
Complex, demanding roles like Le Chiffre, Dr. Lecter and One-Eye in Valhalla Rising established Mikkelsen as one of the finest character actors working today. top directors vie to specifically cast him in their films. Few actors blend such intensity, danger, and vulnerability like Mikkelsen.
Increasingly, he’s also taking on more heroic lead film roles in Danish and international productions, showing off his versatility.
Collaborations with top directors
Mikkelsen is a favorite actor for acclaimed directors like:
- Nicolas Winding Refn – Drive, Valhalla Rising, Pusher franchise
- Bryan Fuller – Hannibal (TV series)
- Martin Scorsese – Bleeder, The Witchfinder General
- Doug Liman – The Three Musketeers, Chaos Walking
His wide-ranging acting style allows these talented directors to craft uniquely complex characters for Mikkelsens to embody. Being specifically chosen by such influential directors displays his substantial acting reputation.
Unusual good looks
Mikkelsen possesses an unconventional handsomeness and sex appeal, with high cheekbones and an intense, emotive face. While not classically attractive, he earned a legion of fangirls (and boys) swooning over his looks, especially circa Hannibal.
Unafraid to film graphic nudity and sex scenes for European arthouse films early in his career also contributed to an unusually strong female fanbase. Critics even call him “The Thinking Woman’s Sex Symbol”.
Quirky hobbies & interests
Casual viewers may see Mikkelsen as quite aloof and overly serious. However, he displays humor and passion for various eccentric pursuits outside acting:
- Avid motorcyclist and import enthusiasts
“I’m a motorpsycho… totally wild about anything with horsepower.“
- Passionate rock band drummer
- Amateur tattoo artist
- Accomplished professional dancer and choreographer
By cultivating rather unusual hobbies, he breaks the stereotype of being an overly somber method actor. His quirkier passions actually endear him to supporters.
Conclusion
In closing, Mads Mikkelsen is a phenomenally talented but uniquely complex actor. His intensely convincing portrayals of charismatic villains and antiheroes has etched strong impressions onto viewers worldwide. However, some struggle to separate the actor from his darker on-screen characters. Mikkelsen’s reserved off-screen disposition further fuels misperceptions of his being overly serious or arrogant.
A small vocal minority also unfairly dislike him for minor past controversies, not measuring up to Anthony Hopkins’ iconic Hannibal Lecter, or for reasonably criticizing extreme political correctness.
However, the majority recognize Mads Mikkelsen as one of this generation’s greatest character actors and an intense on-screen presence. Top directors vie to collaborate with him while both female and male fans swoon over his unusual looks and sex appeal. Despite some negativity, he has clearly left a unique stamp on TV and film.
FAQs
Why do some people dislike Mads Mikkelsen?
The main reasons are struggling to dissociate him from his villainous roles, his perceived cold/aloof disposition, being typecast as a villain, past minor controversies, and difficulty competing against Anthony Hopkins’ legendary Hannibal Lecter portrayal.
What are the most famous villain roles he has played?
Some of his most well-known villainous roles are Le Chiffre in Casino Royale, Hannibal Lecter in NBC’s Hannibal, and Kaecilius in Doctor Strange. He is acclaimed for utterly inhabiting these morally complex characters.
What is Mads Mikkelsen’s off-screen personality like?
In interviews and public appearances, he comes across as rather serious, distant and pragmatic – likely his professional work persona. Some misinterpret his reserved demeanor as arrogance or lack of empathy.
Why do many directors collaborate repeatedly with Mikkelsen?
Directors like Nicolas Winding Refn and Bryan Fuller work with him repeatedly due to his acting intensity allowing them to create uniquely complex, dangerous characters. He wholly transforms into these emotionally demanding roles.
Why does Mads Mikkelsen have such a strong female fan following?
His unusual rugged handsomeness, early graphic film scenes, and intensity on screen earned him a legion of female fans who see him as a “thinking woman’s sex symbol”. Unafraid to film nudity and sex scenes, women uniquely find him desirable.