A Look At Andy Serkis’ Best Roles
Image Source: Vanity Fair
Best known for his motion-capture performances, Andy Serkis has wowed audiences for decades with roles in film, television, and video games. He has also worked as a director on films such as The Jungle Book and Marvel Studios’ Venom: Let There Be Carnage. Most recently, he has been grabbing audiences’ attention as Kino Loy in Star Wars: Andor.
As we prepare for the season finale this week, let’s look at some of Andy Serkis’ best roles. These are in no particular order and contain no spoilers about the films.
Gollum (The Lord Of The Rings & The Hobbit Films)
Image Source: Looper
Serkis is most famously known for his truly spectacular portrayal of Gollum/Smeagol. The character is not an easy one as he is essentially two characters in one. We have Gollum, who is violent and intelligent, opposite Smeagol, who is kind and naive, and only appears briefly when he is interacting with Frodo and Bilbo.
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Cesar (The Planet Of The Apes Trilogy)
Image Source: Daily Beast
While this is not the first ape that Serkis has played, it is the one he is most notably known for. Serkis first played the titular ape in Peter Jackson’s 2005 King Kong. Serkis’ character, Cesar, was introduced in 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes, but we would truly see the character shine in the 2014 sequel where we would truly see this character shine. Serkis gives the genius ape a dynamic personality and facial expressions that perfectly convey his emotions, internal conflict, and pain.
Mr. Alley (The Prestige)
Image Source: Movie Fone
It is really a shame that this is one of Serkis’ most underrated performances. He plays the assistant to David Bowie’s Nikola Tesla. Rather than grabbing the attention of the audience, he gives a subtle performance that perfectly contrasts Bowie’s larger-than-life persona. Although Serkis is given very little screen time, he shines every single second.
Richard Kneeland (13 Going On 30)
Image Source: IMDb
A 2004 Rom-Com is not the kind of place that you would expect to see Serkis. He plays Jenna Rink’s (Jennifer Garner) boss at Poise magazine. He is a larger-than-life character that steals every scene he is in, like when he joins in Jenna’s “Thriller” dance.
The Ghost Of Christmas Past (FX’s A Christmas Carol)
Image Source: Entertainment Weekly
Originally aired on FX and was then added to Hulu’s library, this iteration of the classic Charles Dickens story is closer to the original source material and one of the darkest retellings I have ever seen. Serkis portrays the Ghost of Christmas Past, and he is nothing less than terrifying. His performance is chill-inducing and makes the typically comical character something pulled straight from our deepest nightmares.
Alfred (The Batman)
Image Source: MovieWeb
In the 2022 Batman film, Serkis plays Alfred Pennyworth, a role that is well-known to fans and not one that is easily changed. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Serkis gives fans a new interpretation of the character. While he still acts as a father figure, confidant, and butler to Bruce Wayne, Serkis’ Alfred is darker and more rigid than fans are used to. Serkis said this is because he felt that Alfred’s past would still be with him and would impact his interactions with others, especially Bruce.
Kino Loy (Star Wars: Andor)
Image Source: ScreenRant
One of Serkis’ most impressive roles to date, Kino Loy is an inmate that Cassian Andor meets halfway through the first season. The character originally seems insignificant to Cassian’s storyline at first, but we soon learn that he actually plays a huge role in his story. Serkis’ dynamic portrayal of Loy is one of the most moving and gut-wrenching performances in all of Star Wars.
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Source(s): Hollywood Reporter
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