4. Rutger Hauer - Batman Begins (2005)
Despite being perhaps the finest acting talent that the Netherlands has ever produced, Rutger Hauers filmography in the years preceding 2005 was dominated by direct-to-video fare and SyFy television movies, a far cry from his 80s heyday. Having begun his career in his native country in the late sixties, Hauer came to prominence in Blade Runner, the 1982 Ridley Scott film that is widely considered to be amongst the best science fiction films ever created. Playing the role of Roy Batty, an android (or replicant) opposite Harrison Fords Rick Deckard, his heartfelt speech at the end of the film is one of cinemas most poignant scenes. The film wasnt as highly regarded upon its initial release as it is now, but Hauer managed to find a niche for himself in the horror genre following its release, starring in films such as The Hitcher and the original cinematic version of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The roles soon began to dry up in the mid nineties however, despite Hauer being nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in the HBO adaptation of Robert Harris Fatherland. Batman Begins threw the Dutchman a lifeline and saw him portray William Earle, an original character who served as an antagonist of sorts to Christian Bales Bruce Wayne. Having become the chairman of Wayne Enterprises in Bruces absence, he seeks to take the firm public and maximise profit at the expense of other projects, which is something that the Caped Crusader must deal with in tandem with Ras al Ghuls plot to destroy Gotham City. Despite securing roles in Sin City and a Poseidon Adventure remake, Hauer has returned to SyFy productions and obscure horror projects in the eight years since the films release, though Hobo With A Shotgun is an enjoyable film. 2013 will, however, see him return to the mainstream in HBOs True Blood, though it remains to be seen how significant his role will be.