8. President Snow - The Hunger Games
While President Snow didn't bring about the annual slaughter-fest that defines the disappointing Battle Royale rip-off that was The Hunger Games, he is a large part of why the film was such a hit, because he does such a good job as the ambiguous President Snow who provides over the games and ensures that each one takes place according to plan. What's really impressive about the character is that he's not just a simple moustache-twirler as many writers would have had him be played; he has a front of relaxed cool which only drops when Katniss starts to mess with the program. Though Snow realises from the outset that he has a special case on his hands with Katniss, he didn't quite expect this, and veteran actor Donald Sutherland plays the role superbly well, a refined mix of sinister cool and then, later on, true menace.