10 Blatant Paycheck Movie Roles (That Were AWESOME)
3. Max Von Sydow - Flash Gordon
Beyond money, how else do you explain the late, great Max von Sydow, respected Swedish screen legend best known for his collaborations with director Ingmar Bergman, agreeing to play the Fu Manch-esque villain Ming the Merciless in Flash Gordon?
But at least the film is a thoroughly self-aware sci-fi B-movie, totally keen to indulge in the campy silliness of its comic strip source material, and so von Sydow's deliciously over-the-top performance fits the film's style and tone like a glove.
In fact, von Sydow's work remains one of his signature roles with English-speaking audiences. He's clearly having a blast throughout, with his absurd get-up and booming voice, and his sense of fun is infectious to the audience.
For the entirety of his career spent working in Hollywood, von Sydow could be relied upon to class-up any blockbuster project with his sheer transfixing presence, while doubtless getting paid handsomely for the pleasure.