The Danish star has dipped his toes in 3 major franchises (Star Wars, Marvel, and James Bond) and is adding a fourth to his resume this April with Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. Yet to exist nominated for an Oscar, Mads Mikkelsen's career spans over 2 decades between international and American cinema.

As he steps into the Fantastic Beasts franchise and the Harry Potteruniverse, Mikkelsen brings his spin to Grindelwald, a character previously established by Johnny Depp in the 2 earlier films. Mikkelsen is no stranger to playing a villain, but earlier he makes his arrival in the wizarding earth, audiences should take the opportunity to explore his previous characters and work that landed him on every major franchise'due south radar.

'Rogue I: A Star Wars Story' (2016)

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Playing a supporting role, Mikkelsen stars equally Galen Erso, father of the heroine Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones). A prequel movie, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story follows the mission of a group of misfits that band together to steal the Expiry Star plans and deliver them to the rebellion.

While Mikkelsen has minimal screen time in the film'due south 2 hours and 13-minute runtime, his emotional portrayal of a father protecting his family unit at all costs is admirable. Rogue Ane is a notable installment in Mikkelsen's sci-fi career and certainly wasn't his last.

'Chaos Walking' (2021)

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Starring opposite other franchise titans like Daisy Ridley and Tom The netherlands, Mikkelsen takes on a villainous role as Mayor Prentiss in the sci-fi film Chaos Walking. Based on the young-adult book serial by Patrick Ness, this moving picture is set in a dystopian future where women have disappeared from the planet and men are impacted by "the Dissonance," a condition that puts all their thoughts on visual display.

Audiences were impressed by the moving-picture show adaptation, critics were not. Having portrayed characters in both franchises that put Kingdom of the netherlands and Ridley on the map, Mikkelsen's performance is familiar as takes on an adversary character well-versed in the world.

'The Conservancy' (2014)

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Image via IFC Films

With middle-of-the-road reviews from critics and audiences, The Salvation is a film that ultimately received praise considering of Mikkelsen's performance. A Danish settler in 1870's America, Jon Jensen (Mikkelsen) avenges the decease of his wife by killing the man responsible, setting off a chain reaction in which he becomes hunted.

Stepping into the role of a western hero, Mikkelsen adds a notable genre installment to his career every bit he works alongside Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Eva Green. Mikkelsen fans can add this to their list of excellent grapheme work on a lesser-known project by the Danish thespian.

'The Chase' (2012)

The Hunt Mads Mikkelsen

Nominated for a Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, Thomas Vinterberg'southward The Chase casts Mikkelsen every bit a kindergarten instructor wrongly accused of indecent conduct toward a pupil. Mikkelsen'due south masterful functioning is love past critics and audiences who've leaped to picket the emotionally cut motion-picture show.

Mikkelsen provides a wide depth and range in his acting chops in this Danish drama. Persecuted for a crime he didn't commit, Mikkelsen'south portrayal of Lucas is a career highlight that makes The Hunt a pic that no cinema fan should miss.

'Doctor Foreign' (2016)

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Calculation his name to the long list of exceptional actors and actresses to play Marvel villains, Mikkelsen fabricated his debut in 2016 with Doctor Foreign, the same year he starred in Rogue Ane. Medical doc Stephen Strange (Bridegroom Cumberbatch) becomes a principal of the mystic arts and is forced to face up a dark threat as Kaecilius (Mikkelsen) starts wreaking havoc on the world.

Mikkelsen provides a worthy adversary for Marvel's hero as Strange is introduced into the cinematic universe. Working opposite large names like Cumberbatch and Tilda Swinton, Mikkelsen's performance is excellently crafted every bit his name reaches a wider viewing audience.

'Riders of Justice' (2020)

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A dark, simply comedic installment in his filmography, Riders of Justice is a Danish action film that rivals any Liam Neeson motion picture. When his wife is killed in a seemingly accidental train wreck, Markus (Mikkelsen) returns home from deployment to care for his teenage daughter. His mindset and mission change when a survivor of the train wreck arrives to convince him it was no blow, and they begin the search and destruction of those responsible.

No stranger to protagonists with heartache, Mikkelsen provides a backbone forcefulness for supporting characters who aren't versed in the art of revenge. Directed by Anders Thomas Jensen, Riders of Justice is a film that any Mikkelsen fan should have on their watchlist radar.

'Chill' (2018)

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A chilling edition to Mikkelsen's filmography, Chill follows a plane crash survivor equally he struggles to decide whether to stay put or trek into the treacherous chill unknown to find help. The ingenuity and resourcefulness of Overgard (Mikkelsen) keep audiences assertive he's capable of holding out until help arrives.

Critics and viewers were enthralled by the storytelling and potent functioning in this film. With a small cast and minimalist plot, Joe Penna'southward Arctic provides an splendid spotlight on Mikkelsen for movie-goers less familiar with his work.

'Casino Royale' (2006)

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Embodying a Bond villain is no easy chore, but Mikkelsen makes it wait like it's a walk in the park. In Daniel Craig'due south showtime installment as the MI6 amanuensis, Casino Royale finds James Bond at an sectional, high-stakes poker tournament every bit he plays against Le Chiffre (Mikkelsen), a individual banker who invests in terrorist organizations.

With a scarred middle that tears blood, Mikkelsen creates an intimidating adversary, skilled at not only playing poker but matching wits with 007. Mikkelsen's performance was crafted so beautifully it would resonate with audiences and loom over Craig's Bond franchise for the remaining films.

'Another Circular' (2020)

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Image via Samuel Goldwyn Films

Collaborating again, Mikkelsen and Vinterberg'southward Some other Round won non only the acclamation of critics and audiences just likewise took dwelling an Oscar for Best International Feature Film. In desperate need of a change, iv schoolteachers make a pact to drink daily as in experiment to see how their lives will change.

Mikkelsen would be nominated for a BAFTA All-time Role player award for his role equally Martin. This Danish dramedy is an inviting watch for established Mikkelsen viewers and those fresh to his cinematic craft.

'Hannibal' (2013-2015)

In arguably his virtually notable and iconic role, Mikkelsen steps into the kitchen and shoes of Hannibal Lecter in NBC's Hannibal. For three seasons, the bear witness followed the relationship of Lecter and FBI profiler Will Graham (Hugh Dancy) earlier Lecter was caught and put behind bars. Every scene is a masterful chess game betwixt Lecter and Graham, drawing in audiences and critics from multiple genres.

Stopping just short of hitting The Silence of the Lambs plotline, NBC canceled the prove, and information technology has however to find a new home Fans take fabricated their desperation known for Mikkelsen, the cast, and showrunner Bryan Fuller to return with the brilliant characters get-go created past writer Thomas Harris.

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