20 Essential Movie Performances That Will Define 2016
14. Liam Neeson - Father Cristóvão Ferreira (Silence)
Release Date: November
The Role: Father Cristóvão Ferreira, a Jesuit priest who has been accused of apostasy in Japan. Fathers Francisco Garrpe (Adam Driver) and Sebastião Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) are then sent to Japan to track him down and find out the truth.
Why It'll Define 2016: Liam Neeson hasn't done a ton of serious-minded fare over the last decade or so, instead leaning into his unexpected action hero status following the release of Taken.
That's fair enough, but it'll be great to see him back in the saddle with Martin Scorsese for an incredibly meaty, challenging role that could easily earn him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar consideration.
Neeson certainly looks the part from the single frame of him we've seen so far, and it feels like the sort of role that would fit him like a glove at this stage in his career. Plus, when does Scorsese not get the best out of any actor who works with him?