10 Movie Sequels That Had Exceptionally Great Villains
Some movie sequels up their villain game on the movies that came before them.
Making a sequel is a dangerous game for any film franchise. Just because something worked the first time doesn't mean that it's going to work the second or third. Trying to keep the franchise fresh and interesting can be incredibly difficult, regardless of the premise.
That's where a great villain comes in.
A hero is only as good as the villain he or she faces, something that's even more important when you hit the sequel stage. More often than not, the first villain doesn't survive the first film. You need a villain that not only matches the quality but helps the franchise grow and improve. Villains make the movie. Period.
When it comes to to the sequel game, every movie might be the last one in the franchise so you have to makes sure you don't drop the ball.
10. Colonel William Stryker In X2: X-Men United
Excluding Deadpool, the X-Men film franchise has fallen on hard times over the last few years. A series of missteps and bad story choices left it gasping for air. Hopefully, bringing the characters into the MCU will breath new life into them on the big screen.
X2 was one of the better films in the Fox franchise, featuring Brian Cox as Colonel William Stryker. In the movie, it's revealed that he ran the program that gave Wolverine his adamantium skeleton and claws. He also attempts to use Professor X's own abilities, amplified by a dollar store version of Cerebro, to kill every mutant on Earth.
Stryker is the living embodiment of all the hate, paranoia and resentment directed toward mutants in the X-Men films. Taking him down is a key moment for the team.