Sean Bean
A popular joke among current film and culture buffs is Sean Bean’s recurring onscreen deaths. Throughout the English actor’s career, he has appeared in dozens of films, both theatrically released and on television. For about every three films he appears in though, the character he portrays dies in the story. It happened in Patriot Games, The Island, The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring and several more.
Despite his synonymy with fatalities, Bean has many similarities with Neeson: a rugged look, close ties to many beloved franchises (including Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings) and the ability to play stoic heroes and dastardly villains. In his native land, Bean is well known for playing Richard Sharpe, a sergeant in the Napoleonic Wars, in a series of TV dramas. When he was starring in that collection of titles, he also played one of James Bond’s most boastful adversaries in Goldeneye.
Easily able to slither into roles that are both regal (Game of Thrones) and riled up (Goldeneye), Bean has many traits of an anti-hero, as well as an action hero. Too often delegated to roles as antagonists or in supporting roles, Bean is both brooding and bold. He too rarely gets a meaty dramatic role on the big screen, though his brief turn in North Country in 2005 showed his dramatic range beyond the realm of kings.
There’s no doubt that Bean has what it takes to be a terrific action star, someone just needs to give him a shot.
