4. Cate Blanchett
Indiana Jones has a knack for producing memorable villains Belloq and Major Toht in
Raiders, Mola Ram in
Temple of Doom, and Donovan and Elsa Schneider in
Last Crusade. And while Ill be the first to admit that Cate Blanchett isnt quite up to the standard of previous villains, shes still a force to be reckoned with. Having made her name in various refined and glamorous roles (
Elizabeth,
The Lord of the Rings,
The Aviator), Blanchett was looking to diversify and was keen to play a villain. Her character owes a big debt to Rosa Kleb in
From Russia With Love, with the combination of genuine threat and pantomime villainy sitting well with the tone of the series. Blanchett rarely came out of character while on the set, and her determination reflects positively on her performance. Its also refreshing to have a female villain who is at least partially motivated by a desire for greater knowledge, rather than just being hungry for power.