As I delve into the lives and careers of these remarkable artists, I am struck by the sheer resilience and dedication they each possessed. From Sir John Hurt to Tim Pigott-Smith, each one has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema, theatre, and television.
In 2005, James McTeigue directed a movie penned by the Wachowskis, which was itself inspired by a renowned comic book series by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. The film, titled “V for Vendetta,” explores the consequences of a society that chooses fear and conservatism over courage and liberty. Drawing inspiration from Margaret Thatcher’s administration, both the comic and the movie depict a chilling future where the United Kingdom has transformed into a fascist regime, characterized by strict curfews and rigid adherence to a single ideology under a tyrannical government.
As a gamer, I found myself deeply immersed in the world of “V for Vendetta.” This movie revolves around two central figures: V, the enigmatic figure who dons a Guy Fawkes mask, often labeled as a terrorist, and Evey Hammond, an employee at the British Television Network. In a dramatic turn of events, V rescues Evey from the ruthless Fingermen, and then guides her in our shared quest for vengeance. The film was both financially and critically successful, but surprisingly, it’s a standalone production – so don’t hold your breath for a sequel.
The movie “V for Vendetta” showcases an abundance of skill, from its screenwriters and director, right through to its stellar cast. This production managed to attract some of the most talented actors of that time to join the cast, making it intriguing to see where their careers have led since the film’s release in 2006. Although there are numerous characters in the movie, the narrative primarily concentrates on just six main figures. Here’s a look at what they’ve been doing since the filming of “V for Vendetta” concluded.
Hugo Weaving joined the MCU and appeared in a plethora of projects
Before assuming the Guy Fawkes mask in “V for Vendetta,” Hugo Weaving had already made a significant mark in various productions. His most notable roles prior to donning the mask were as Agent Smith in the “Matrix” series and Elrond in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. Earlier still, he gained recognition through films such as “Proof,” “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert,” and both “Babe” movies where his distinctive voice was heard as Rex the Male Sheepdog.
Throughout his career, Weaving has taken on a wide range of roles, moving from one successful franchise to another. Following his time in “V for Vendetta”, he delved deeply into voice acting, lending his voice to Megatron in the “Transformers” series, Noah in “Happy Feet”, and various characters in “Legends of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole”.
One intriguing aspect of Ian McKellen’s acting career is that he doesn’t limit himself to portraying a specific kind of character, instead opting to explore numerous roles. He made a return to the world of Middle-earth for “The Hobbit” series and played Johann Schmidt, or Red Skull, in “Captain America: The First Avenger.” However, McKellen did not reprise his role in “Avengers: Infinity War.” Despite his busy schedule on the big screen, he hasn’t shied away from television. He featured in a dozen episodes of “Love Me” and joined “Slow Horses” for its fourth season. Interestingly, McKellen has also gone back to his beginnings and has been regularly appearing in stage productions.
Natalie Portman went on to win an Academy Award and became Thor
As a devoted admirer, I can’t help but reflect on Natalie Portman’s remarkable journey in cinema. At just 12 years old, she made her debut as Mathilda Lando in “Léon: The Professional.” After dipping her toes in television with brief appearances on “Sesame Street,” she remained committed to the silver screen.
After wrapping up her stint in a distant galaxy, Portman took on the role of Evey Hammond in “V for Vendetta.” Post-Evey, Portman grew back her signature dark brown hair and went on to star in numerous films, branching out into producing, directing, and writing. However, she didn’t shy away from major franchises and portrayed Jane Foster within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Acting has always been where Portman truly excels, earning her a multitude of prestigious awards.
Natalie Portman was first nominated for an Academy Award in the best supporting actress category for her role in “Closer,” though she didn’t win the award. In 2010, however, she won an Oscar for her stellar performance as Nina Sayers in “The Black Swan,” a victory that came just four years after her portrayal of Evey Hammond in “V for Vendetta.” Portman’s success continued with a BAFTA Award for “Black Swan” and a Golden Globe, followed by another Academy Award nomination for “Jackie” in 2016.
Stephen Rea kept a steady pace of acting gigs
Stephen Rea had accumulated a significant body of work before securing the role of Inspector Finch in “V for Vendetta.” Among his most prominent roles were those in “The Crying Game,” “Interview with the Vampire,” and “Michael Collins,” as well as several other films. Since he began his career, Rea has been a busy man, releasing numerous movies every year for decades. Additionally, Rea’s acting career started on television, where he made his debut in “Crossroads” in 1964.
Throughout his lengthy career, Rea’s television appearances shouldn’t overshadow his impressive and award-winning theater roles. Spanning most of his varied career, Rea has graced numerous prestigious productions on both stage and screen, with “V for Vendetta” marking just one of these milestones. Starting in the 1960s, Rea’s theater work continued into the 1980s before a brief hiatus; he then resumed his theater career in 2014.
In a remarkable career spanning decades, Stephen Rea was nominated for an Academy Award for his lead role in “The Crying Game,” and he won two BAFTA Awards among other notable recognitions. Following his performance in “V for Vendetta,” Rea’s highest-rated film became the 2008 release, “Kisses.” However, this is just one of many critically acclaimed works he has produced. Other notable films featuring Rea include “Nothing Personal,” “Ondine,” “Blackthorn,” and “Black ’47.” Despite reaching the age of 78 in 2024, Rea continues to prove his dedication to acting with no signs of retirement in sight.
Stephen Fry significantly ramped up his resume since 2006
Throughout his extensive career, Stephen Fry has left his mark in various aspects of the arts. He initially gained prominence as a playwright, achieving notable success in this field. In the early stages of his career, he also took up roles as a commercial actor and voiceover artist. His television debut happened in 1982, when he appeared on “Cambridge Footlights Revue,” sharing the spotlight with his collaborator and friend Hugh Laurie. Together with Laurie, Tony Slattery, and Emma Thompson, Fry co-authored “The Cellar Tapes.” Additionally, he made a regular appearance as a psychiatrist in the popular Fox series, “Bones.
Fry is also a prolific writer, having been first published in 1991 with “The Liar.” He continued cranking out fiction, non-fiction, three autobiographies, and numerous scripts throughout his life. In terms of film, Fry’s biggest role before 2006 was when he played Oscar Wilde in 1997’s “Wilde,” followed by his award-winning performance as Inspector Thompson in “Gosford Park.” In “V for Vendetta,” Fry plays Gordon Deitrich, a TV show host and friend of Evey Hammond who is killed for owning a Quran.
Since his work on “V for Vendetta,” Fry has primarily found himself behind the microphone, lending his voice to numerous characters or providing narration. He’s also delved into franchise roles, playing Master of Lake-town in two out of three “Hobbit” films. Fry is a versatile artist who wears multiple hats, including being a writer, playwright, comedian, actor, broadcaster, and TV presenter. Since 2006, he’s been consistently active on television, hosting various shows and documentaries, and there’s no indication that he’ll be slowing down anytime soon.
John Hurt appeared in numerous high-profile productions until his death in 2017
Sir John Hurt, a remarkably unique actor, had already made a name for himself among his peers decades earlier than when he portrayed the ruthless dictator Adam Sutler in “V for Vendetta.” His acting career began as far back as 1962, and before the release of “V” in 2006, he had already starred in numerous films. Among his most memorable roles are those in “Midnight Express,” “Alien,” “The Elephant Man,” and many others.
In “Spaceballs,” John Hurt revisited his iconic role from “Alien.” However, nowadays, many fans might be more familiar with his work prior to “V for Vendetta,” where he played Garrick Ollivander, the wand merchant, in the “Harry Potter” series. Across his distinguished career, Hurt has lent his voice to numerous animated characters, but his main focus has always been on live-action films. Despite only appearing for a limited time in “V for Vendetta,” Hurt delivered an exceptional performance that stands out.
Following his performance in Sutler, John Hurt delved into numerous distinguished projects, such as “Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull,” “Hellboy II: The Golden Army,” “Snowpiercer,” and even snagged a part as the War Doctor in “Doctor Who.” His unrelenting work ethic kept him busy until his passing at 77 in 2017, after battling a recurrence of pancreatic cancer. Throughout his illustrious career, Hurt received various awards and honors, including four BAFTAs, a Golden Globe, and two Oscar nominations.
Tim Pigott-Smith continued acting until his death in 2017
Tim Pigott-Smith embarked on his acting journey in the 1970s, making his debut on “Doctor Who” as Captain Harker for television. His ensuing career was rich and varied, spanning across various mediums like TV, movies, audiobooks, stage performances, radio broadcasts, and literature. Pigott-Smith graced the screens in productions such as “Clash of the Titans,” “The Remains of the Day,” and “Gangs of New York” among others. However, it was his portrayal of the antagonist, Peter Creedy, in “V for Vendetta” that truly showcased his talent. He delivered an exceptional performance as the film’s primary villain.
Following the release of “V for Vendetta,” actor Tim Pigott-Smith experienced a slight decrease in his workload, yet he remained active in the industry. His film appearances included “Quantum of Solace,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “RED 2,” and various others. Similarly, he scaled back his television roles, featuring in approximately a dozen projects, such as one episode of “Downton Abbey.” In terms of literature, Pigott-Smith is an author of several children’s books and poetry collections. Additionally, he continued to be involved with BBC Radio 4 behind the microphone.
For four decades, Pigott-Smith made a significant mark in the arts world, dabbling in different genres and formats. His hard work and dedication were rewarded with numerous high-profile accolades, one of which was being appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his outstanding achievements. Sadly, Pigott-Smith passed away in April 2017 due to a heart attack at the age of 70. At the time of his untimely demise, he was involved with a touring production of “Death of a Salesman,” which had been scheduled to commence just three days later.
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2024-12-04 18:30