9. Gene Hackman: Lex Luthor in Superman (1978)
Talking of Hackman, he was the second big weapon in the Salkinds arsenal to lend verisimilitude to Superman, and yet he is unlike every other actor in this list. Hackman doesnt lend gravitas or quiet dignity to Superman he brings comic skill. In this respect, his inclusion is a bit of a toss-up between him and Ned Beatty, who played his sidekick Otis. Dont get me wrong, Hackman creates a charismatic, rationally insane, witty Lex Luthor. But the best moments are all with Otis. Lex is wondering why he, the most diabolical leader of our time, has surrounded himself with total nincompoops. On cue, Otis arrives. Yes, I was just talking about you, says Lex. In the very choice of nincompoop, you can see what kind of villain Hackmans Lex is. Then theres the business of Otis handing Lex a towel while hes in the bath; Lex treading on Otiss hand while researching kryptonite; and my favourite, Lex showing off his shiny new map of West Coast USA to the sombre Superman, only to realise Otis has added Otisburg on the Costa del Lex. Hackman and Beattys performances are so confident and funny that it doesnt matter that they arent being sincere and weighty. Christopher Reeve does an excellent job of taking up that slack with his earnest, boy-scout sense of duty. The fun is in seeing him clash with the villains well-measured black comedy and wit. Even Hackman couldnt save Superman IV though.