14 Heroic Actors You Liked More When They Played Villains

by Gary Susman

After 20 years of playing planet-saving heroes, it's no wonder Suicide Squad" and playing a villain. Here are a few more of your favorite good guys that you loved to hate when they played baddies.

Will Smith In 'Suicide Squad' (2016)

As part of the team of DC Comics villains recruited to fight an even greater menace, Smith is the marquee name in "Suicide Squad" as frequent Batman antagonist Deadshot.

Tom Cruise In 'Collateral' (2004)

In his heroic roles, Collateral," he's smooth, laid back, and confident -- oozing lethal menace with ease.

Liam Neeson In 'Batman Begins' (2005)

After nearly 20 years of playing two-fisted heroes and mentors, Christopher Nolan.

Denzel Washington In 'Training Day' (2000)

American Gangster" (2007) is a close second. His international heavy in "Safe House" is a distant third.

Henry Fonda In 'Once Upon a Time In the West' (1969)

Fonda had spent 30 years playing staunch do-gooders, so it was a genuine shock to see him play an ice-cold gunman in Sergio Leone's classic western. This is the blueprint for all heroic-stars-playing-against-type performances ever since.

Kevin Costner In 'Mr. Brooks' (2007)

Who better than the usually stolid Dane Cook as a protégé.

Matt Damon In 'The Departed' (2006)

The Departed," where he's a cop who's really an undercover mobster. He's all the more dangerous because he has no qualms about whacking his fellow gangsters as well as cops.

Leonardo DiCaprio In 'Django Unchained'

Django Unchained."

Harrison Ford In 'What Lies Beneath' (2000)

In "Ford seems to be playing his usual part, a family man defending his home from malevolent outside forces. So it's especially terrifying when he turns out to be the very killer that threatens his own household.