Hannibal
With his precipitously chisel features , steely gaze , and enigmatic posture , Mads Mikkelsen has made a career of play sophisticated villain and intense antiheroes . He has a way of take in even the most double-tongued criminal multi - faceted and interesting , thanks in part to the Old World charm he emanates .
digest in Denmark , he grew up performing on television , and is known even now for playing comedic roles in his home plate area . His first breakout American part was as the horse Tristan in 2004’sKing Arthur , where he meet co - star Hugh Dancy , who he would so memorably play polar years afterwards inHannibal . Since his early days in Hollywood , he ’s make a respectable filmography in some of the large franchises , where his unique countenance and charisma is always in requirement . Here ’s 10 things you did n’t know about Mads Mikkelsen .
YOU’VE BEEN PRONOUNCING HIS NAME WRONG
Like with many strange - born worker that make their first appearance in the United States , there can be a transitory period where they consider changing their name because they worry American interview wo n’t be able to pronounce them . They may not be able to pronounce them , but if the actor ’s carrying into action are memorable enough , they ’ll certainly remember them .
Mads Mikkelsen ’s name is pronounced the following way : " Mads " is pronounced " Mas " , just like at the closing of " Christ - Mas " . " Mikkel " is pronounce just like " nickel " , and " sen " is pronounced like " window pane " , resulting in a surname that , if pronounced properly , is " Mikkelzen " .
HE WAS A DANCER AND A GYMNAST
Mads is n’t afraid to let it be get laid he ’s worn some leotards a metre or two and twirled his way around the dance stage . Before becoming a talented actor , he was a dancer in Denmark , which included various types of ballet and modern interpretive dance . He credits it with teaching him balance , control , and to be cognizant of his body .
Along with being a dancer , he was was also a gymnast , for eight year . It ’s helped his flexibleness and stamina in action - mob movies inquire lots of stunt workplace likeKing Arthur , Clash of the Titans , Casino Royale , Doctor Stranger , andRogue One : A Star Wars Story .
DANIEL CRAIG ONCE ASKED HIM A VERY INAPPROPRIATE QUESTION
Mads Mikkelsen achieved international celebrity when he seem opposite Daniel Craig inCasino Royale , the first of Craig ’s appearances in a adhesiveness pic and base on the very first Bond Good Book that Ian Fleming wrote . It seemed odd that an almost unnamed Danish actor was cast as the villain Le Chiffre , a purpose almost as highly sought after as James Bond , remind Craig to take him if he ’d slept with someone to get the part .
Mikkelsen defend himself , saying his filmography spoke for itself . Craig educate a respect for him as they cultivate together , and the feeling was mutual . Despite all the pressure Craig was under as Bond , Mikkelsen found his ability to shrug it off admirable , and do work diligently to emulate his nonchalance while under scrutiny .
HE STARRED IN A RIHANNA MUSIC VIDEO
Whether you ’re a fan of the singer or not , you may consider looking upthe music TV for Rihanna ’s Song dynasty " B*tch Better Have My Money"if you want to take in a glimpse of Mads as a slimy comptroller . According to an interview with GQ he was recommended for the cameo , flee in for two years of cinematography and praised Rihanna for her inscription and power to make fun of herself .
In the TV , the singer infiltrates his affluent house , and in a fitting comeuppance for the man who once meet a shackle villain and tied up 007 , Rihanna tie up Mikkelsen and proceed to chop him up for embezzling her riches . It ’s the playfulness form of diversionary function that showcases his impulsive nature and the fact that his mien in anything advance its material .
HE’S APPEARED IN MULTIPLE FRANCHISES
Like other foreign - born character role player Christopher Lee , and Hugo Weaving , Mads Mikkelsen has made a report for come out in multiple enfranchisement . He commence by attain ill fame for appear as the Bond scoundrel Le Chiffre inCasino Royale , cement his natural endowment for playing sophisticated and sinister archetypes .
He continued with function in two of the biggest franchises currently expire ; Marvel andStar war . For the former , he starred once again as the master scoundrel opposite Benedict Cumberbatch ’s Sorcerer Supreme inDoctor Strange , but get to act a hero inRogue One : A Star Wars Story , as the engineer who created a weakness in the Death Star which the Rebel Alliance uses to destroy it .
HE’S GOOD FRIENDS WITH HIS CO-STAR HUGH DANCY
Mads first met Hugh Dancy when the two appeared together as knights inKing Arthur . The natural process - compact film was broadly speaking based on the fable of King Arthur and the horse of the round table , and featured a character from ancient Rome that was said to have urge it .
They would subsequently go on to star paired one another in the critically acclaimed NBC seriesHannibal , with Mikkelsen playing Dr. Hannibal Lecter , and Hugh Dancy playing criminal profiler Will Graham . They persist good supporter to this day ( Mads was there when Hugh had his first baby ! ) and trust to repeat their role inHannibalwith a quaternary season enjoin to be in development .
HE HAS A VERY SPECIFIC WAY HE APPROACHES HIS CRAFT
As far as the craft of acting goes , Mikkelsen is an economist . He will need a hundred questions of his director before they shoot a single scene , because he does n’t want to " trifle around for eight hours and see if something happens " . He feels that because many directors are " in their top dog " , he has to force out their ideas .
Everything has to feel right for Mads to start work on a undertaking . Of his own accession , he ’s said to not compromise , and that he can be"rather teasing to work with"for this cause . Some may find his method exacting , but the high standard inherent in his work are discernible in the finished mathematical product .
HE’S A BIG COMIC BOOK NERD
Unlike some histrion who get involved in the latest superhero film , Mads is a jumbo amusing book nerd . He begin accumulate first editions as a boy , and as he matured he develop a love for in writing novels as well , finding their complexity and deepness massively appealing as an grownup . He recently star in the comedian - based filmPolar .
Mads has a especial predilection for Europeancomic Koran , peculiarly Corto Maltese , the main antagonist in an Italian comic book from the late ' 60s . Maltese is an sluttish going sailor who has a marrow of Au and penchant for risky venture in the early twentieth century . Mads has state he ’d eff to recreate him in a flick .
HE HAS A KNIGHTHOOD
Even though he does n’t go by " Sir " , Mads Mikkelsen is a Gallic Knight . He was awarded the honor of Chevalier of the honored Order of Arts and Letters in 2016 at the Embassy of France . It recognizes contributions made at the eminent story of aesthetic integrity with the introduction of a green cross medal .
Mads has always keep that the French film industriousness has propel his life history . Outside of Denmark , he has legions of fans in France , who admire his dedication to an expressive , soulful , and emotionally rich agency of performing . He ’s also fluent in French , as well as Italian , German , Danish , and Swedish .
HE’S A MOTORCYCLE AND BEER KIND OF GUY
For all his sophisticated tendencies on cinema , Mads remains a beer and bike kind of guy . He ’s seek spirits before ( principally whiskey and scotch ) and finds their taste and flavor unappealing . In Denmark , he ’s a Pilsner man , which is a pale lager to the rest of us !
As for motorcycle , he owns a 1937 Danish Nimbus , which is incredibly uncommon . He suppose ride on it makes him find like Steven McQueen . It does n’t go very fast , which is just as well for his married woman , who he ’s say worries when he takes it out for a joy drive . Riding a motorcycle give him an unparalleled sense of exemption and a way to search off the overreach path .
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