Tuesday’s Jimmy Kimmel Live welcomed Danish actor and go-to villain who makes you feel funny, Mads Mikkelsen, from his temporary lair in London. There shooting that movie where he’s replacing an accused actual villain as another mystically inclined Big Bad, the affable Mikkelsen assured Kimmel he’s not entirely sure why he’s always getting cast as the person who tries to kill everyone while simultaneously giving audiences a strange feeling all over.
Sure, it could be the Danish accent, as Mikkelsen purringly explained that, after the Russians had their big run as the de facto baddies in American movies, it was time for a new, foreign-y villain. He suggested that whole viking thing might still be lingering, too, although that was before the current white people were in charge. Eh, maybe it’s just all Mads, as the former (and possibly future) cannibal, sorcerer, Bond villain, devious cardinal, and all-around scary-but-sexy guy talked up his more sympathetic role in the Golden Globe-nominated Danish dramedy Another Round. (He also, while explaining the soundness of the film’s premise that being a little bit sauced all the time is actually beneficial and not just how everyone gets through a pandemic, appeared remotely in three-quarter profile on his webcam. More guests should do that.)
Still, Kimmel had to ask Mikkelsen about perhaps his most iconic villain, brushing past the actors roster of serial killers, world-dominators, and the occasional possible chicken-man, to ask just how, right in the middle of Hannibal’s run, he became the arch-nemesis of none other than Rihanna. “I have no idea,” Mikkelsen said amusedly of his role as the titular “bitch” who does, in fact, have RiRi’s money in the “Bitch Better Have My Money” music video. Explaining that he doesn’t know much pop culture, Mikkelsen credits his kids’ enthusiasm with his decision to star as the mogul-like money-monster who unwisely chooses to withhold Rihanna’s due royalties, further explaining that it’s the only set that his then-young son has ever wanted to visit. (Mikkelsen did not take the boy, for various reasons apparent to anyone who’s seen the video.) Referring to the project as the “Rihanna thingy,” Mikkelsen notes that getting “brownie points” from his offspring was reason enough to ply his signature villainous decadence in the video, where his character learned that Doctor Strange is one thing, but you just don’t mess with RiRi.
27 Comments
Mais c’est quiiiii Ririiii ?
Now I want to see a Mads origin film in which Lars is taking boy-Mads to go drinking in Danish pubs.
Mads is a trained dancer, so if Rihanna decides to release new music, maybe she can cast him again in one of her videos…
Pretty sure Fat Boy Slim beat you to the idea of casting a kinda sexy, weird talking character actor with dance training in a music video thing
fun fact– he did EVERY SINGLE STUNT AND DANCE MOVE in that video for himself, no stunt men, except one. Because of his very bad knees he didn’t do the shot where he jumps off the coffee table.
I also hear he can actual fly in real life
Oh for sure. Credit where credit is due. That doesn’t mean it would be any less fun to watch, though!
Ehh, once you played an evil fake Chinese Ping Pong boss, you’ve played them all:
Some things are too beautiful to even imagine.
I still want to see a movie co-starring Mads Mikkelson and Michael Madsen.
“I still want to see a movie co-starring Mads Mikkelson and Michael Madsen.”Mad-lads: the uncensored story of Mad-libs.
With soundtrack by Mike & The Mechanics?
Finally, the perfect cast for the inevitable remake of MAD Magazine’s hit film, Up The Academy!
I still want to see a movie co-starring Mads Mikkelson and Michael MadsenEspecially if we get the two dudes fighting over Madchen Amick!
Set in Madison Avenue.
Soundtrack by Marilyn Manson
Obligatory post of Mikkelsen’s best interview about the music video:
this man needs to be protected at all costs.
This quote confused me since the article said “then young son” so I assumed a 6 year old or something.It turns out the youngest of his two kids (that Wikipedia is aware of) was 18 at the time, so I can totally get them reacting that way.
That’s funny – I was like, “18 and you’re Still reacting psychotically to like, parents’ lack of pop culture knowledge?”
“After all, I am the bitch” is a quote any actor could be proud of.
Someone tie Mads up, put him in the boot then swing him about by the feet. Hot new role.
Coolest name, Mads.
Actually, the real villain is Dennis Perkins. Amber Heard admitted in an audio recording that she was lying about Johnny Depp. There are recording of her admitting to being the physically abusive one and straight up saying to him “no one will believe you’re a victim, Johnny!”. Her alleged bruises were not observed by police officers that went to their home responding to a report of a domestic disturbance. She later posted pictures of a bruise that disappeared in 24 hrs. Johnny Depp’s exes have spoken out in his favor. I think there’s a pretty solid argument that he was not the abuser in the relationship and that Dennis Perkins is the real villain (see how easy is to defame somebody’s name?). How about you start being a real writer and stop posting irresponsible sensational lies?
Mads seems so sombre in a lot of his role, while his brother Lars often has a cheekier, more impish air. They’re like a living set of comedy/tragedy masks.
>Mikkelsen did not take the boy, for various reasons apparent to anyone who’s seen the video. Well, I guess I have a reason to watch the video now.