5 phenomenal actors we’d love to see play Darth Bane

Rumors came out recently that Disney is looking to make a series or film about  Darth Bane. Here are five actors who could portray the evil force user.

If the rumblings are true, Disney is planning either a series, a film, or both on legendary Sith, Darth Bane. Bane was the man who started the Sith Rule of Two and is seen as basically the founder of the dark religion that spawned both Dart Sidious and Vader.

To encapsulate the power and evil nature of this human, only a handful of actors could be up to the task and have the right look and demeanor about them. Here are five actors who have the look and the acting chops to pull off playing this darkest of warriors.

1. Hugo Weaving

Hugo Weaving is primarily known for two roles. The first is his portrayal of Agent Smith in The Matrix films and the second is as Lord Elrond in The Lord of the Rings. He is an actor who has a deep, booming voice and commands a certain amount of reverence and respect every time he’s on the big screen.

Weaving would be an ideal choice to play Bane. He has those piercing eyes and could actually be scary and intimidating as a man who has been corrupted by the Dark Side of Force. Weaving has been considered in the past for roles in Star Wars, and the role of Darth Bane could be a perfect fit.

At this point, it’s unclear how the story of Bane will unfold. If it details his fall to the Dark Side or eludes to it in flashbacks, Weaving is an actor who has shown to be able to show a more compassionate side. In his role as Elrond, he was a stern leader of the Elves but also showed a soft side for his daughter and her tough decision to stay back with her true love. He could do a masterful job showing a similar side of Bane prior to his dark turn if that becomes part of the plot.

2. Tony Todd

Tony Todd is probably the lesser-known name on this list but anyone who has seen Candyman knows how terrifying this man can be. Todd plays the Candyman with a horrifyingly still nature. He can scare the pants off of someone with a single look and is extremely intimidating.

He has experience portraying pure evil and that is exactly what Darth Bane is. He could easily pull off the malice and anger that seethes through this dark presence. He may not have the chops to portray a softer side of the founder of the modern-day Sith, if the script calls for such, but would be such an embodiment of power and pure terror that it wouldn’t matter. Todd isn’t a well-known name but could be an example of perfect casting if he’s indeed hired to bring Darth Bane to life.

3. Michael Fassbender

We aren’t sure exactly how the story of Darth Bane and what lead him to establish the Rule of Two will go, but if it involves an actor to be both terrifying and manipulating, then Michael Fassbender could be an inspired choice.

Fassbender is a handsome looking fella who, beneath the charming features, exudes confidence, and a sense of mysteriousness. He can be intimidating with his intense stare and stone-cold looks and that would be a perfect fit for a Dark Lord of the Sith.

He also has the acting skill to show a wide range of emotions for Bane if the story encapsulates his rise and fall. He also has a sense of intelligence about him and if Bane needs to be a manipulator in this tale the way Palpatine was in the prequels, Fassbender could easily pull it off.

4. Laurence Fishburne

When thinking about Darth Bane and how he might sound, the booming voice of Laurence Fishburne comes to mind. Not only does he have the perfect voice for this darkest of warriors, but he also has the right look. Fishburne, like many other actors on this list, has strong, beady eyes that seem able to stare into one’s very soul.

Fishburne played the ultra-serious Morpheus in The Matrix and that could be a good base for the character of Bane. Not only can he be serious but also authoritative and intimidating. If Fishburne added a little malice and a touch of evil to that character, it’d be just about perfect. He’d be an ideal embodiment of Bane and could be a solid fit as the one to bring him to life.

5. Bryan Cranston

This may be a more inspired choice to play Darth Bane, but Bryan Cranston is an actor with a huge range, and playing an evil character like Bane is certainly in his capabilities. Cranston’s got his big break in a comedic role as the father in Malcolm in the Middle but really broke out as his role as Walter White in Breaking Bad.

It was in this role where we saw how truly great an actor that Cranston is. He went from a desperate, cancer-stricken teacher looking for a way to support his family and pay his hospital bills to become a drug kingpin with a major lack of moral values.

Seeing Cranston make this transformation was very similar to seeing a Jedi like Anakin Skywalker fall to the Dark Side. Not only did we see Cranston fall, but we got to see him live in this role and come to cherish the power that came with it. He basically already has played a Sith, and having him become Bane would be a very good decision by the producers of this show, assuming it does come to fruition.

What other actors would be good choices to play Darth Bane? Let us know in the comments!