Geeks logo

Five Paul Bettany Performances You Need To See Before 'Wandavision'

Check out the actor's other memorable roles.

By Kristy AndersonPublished 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago 3 min read
Like
Paul Bettany as Dustfinger in 'Inkheart'.

Paul Bettany probably has one of the most interesting MCU history of any of his fellow Marvel actors. After spending four films as the voice of Tony Stark's ever present A.I, J.A.R.V.I.S, Bettany initially thought he was about to be fired before he was offered the chance to play The Vision in Avengers: Age Of Ultron.

Now, Bettany, as Vision, is about to take centre stage, alongside Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch, in the upcoming Disney + series WandaVision.

Before the series hits the streaming service on January 15, let's look back at some of Paul Bettany's other memorable roles.

1. Geoffrey Chaucer (A Knight's Tale, 2001)

In the 2001 comedy A Knight's Tale, Paul Bettany plays a fictionalised version of Geoffrey Chaucer, author of the classic novel The Canterbury Tales. After losing everything gambling, a completely nude Chaucer is discovered on the road by the film's hero, William Thatcher, and his friends. In return for their help, Chaucer forges a Patent of Nobility for Thatcher, and creates a new history for him as a Knight, 'Sir Ulrich Von Lichtenstein', so he can compete in official jousting Tournaments. Chaucer eventually decides to travel with the group, introducing 'Sir Ulrich' before his matches.

Though a supporting character, Bettany, as Chaucer, steals the show in most of the scenes he is in, proving a commanding presence on-screen and providing many of the movie's most memorable moments in his introductions of 'Ulrich'/William.

2. Silas (The Da Vinci Code, 2006)

In 2006, The Da Vinci Code, the first of three films based on Dan Brown's popular 'Robert Langdon' novels was released, becoming one of the year's biggest pop culture phenomenons. Paul Bettany played Silas, an Albino Monk belonging to the order Opus Dei, who sets off the film's plot with the murder of Jacques Sauniere. Silas carried out the murder on the order of a mysterious figure known as The Teacher, in the hope that he will obtain a keystone leading to the location of the Holy Grail.

The character of Silas makes viewers uneasy, but he is supposed to, proving the strength of Bettany's acting.

3. Dustfinger (Inkheart, 2006)

In the 2006 fantasy film Inkheart, based on the novel of the same name, Bettany plays Dustfinger, a fire-twirler. Dustfinger is actually a character in a novel, who had been accidentally transported out of his book nine years before the film begins, by a 'silvertongue', Mo Folchart. Desperate to return to his wife and children in the world of the book, Dustfinger pursues Mo, sometimes working with him, sometimes against him, in his quest to get home.

While Inkheart, for the most part, proved a disappointment for fans of Cornelia Funke's 'Inkworld' trilogy, many agree that Bettany was perfectly cast as Dustfinger.

4. Michael (Legion, 2010)

In 2010's Legion, Paul Bettany plays Michael, an Angel who has fallen from grace after choosing to keep helping the human race after God has lost faith and ordered that humanity be destroyed. Arriving at a Diner in the middle of the Mojave Desert, Michael must protect the unborn son of the Diner's waitress, Charlie, as the child is destined to be the saviour of humanity.

While the film failed to impress critics, it was popular enough to spark a TV series sequel, Dominion, in 2014.

5. Ted Kaczynski (Manhunt: Unabomber, 2017)

In 2017, Bettany returned to TV with a leading role in the miniseries Manhunt: Unabomber, which chronicled the FBI's 17 year search for a criminal dubbed the Unabomber. Bettany played the Bomber himself, Ted Kaczynski. The series also depicted Kaczynski's post-capture interviews with Jim Fitzgerald, the forensic linguist whose work finally lead to the bomber's arrest.

The series was a hit with both critics and True Crime fans, earning a 93% approval on Rotten Tomatoes. The real Jim Fitzgerald says the show portrayed the events leading to Kaczynski's arrest with 80% accuracy.

We'll get to see Bettany in action again when WandaVision hits Disney + on January 15, 2021.

list
Like

About the Creator

Kristy Anderson

Passionate About all things Entertainment!

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.