15 Truly Terrible Villainous Performances From Awesome Actors

Morgan Freeman is that wise, all-knowing voice of reason who narrates a film like God. He is not a hammy and stupid action movie villain. This was some of the worst miscasting in recent memory.

Freeman (ignoring the recent controversies) is a fantastic actor and his work in films such as The Shawshank Redemption, Seven and Glory is unforgettable and unmissable. And, of course, no-one can do a better voice-over than him. He doesn't usually give bad performances, so this was an unusually bad turn from him.

Wanted is a good viewing if you switch your brain off and pretend the laws of physics don't exist. It's nothing special, but it is a fun action film that's stylishly made and consistently engaging, but it was a huge misstep for Freeman, who plays Sloane, the corrupt leader of an organisation of assassins.

Freeman is simply not suited to a cartoonish, hammy villain like Sloane and hearing such a master of subtle acting delivering lines such as "Otherwise... shoot this motherf**ker!" is just painful. Thanks to Freeman constantly alternating between being hammy and his normal understated style, this is a confused and cringe-worthy performance from the brilliant acting veteran.