Eight reasons why Karl Urban is bad-ass

September 22, 2013 by Henry Herz 2 Comments

I just watched the movie Dredd, and I have to say that Karl Urban is bad-ass. Beyond being a wonderful actor for action roles, he has managed to outdo his Lord of the Rings co-star Orlando Bloom in terms of appearing in a range of fantasy, sci-fi, and other big movie franchises. Let’s take a look, shall we? Here are eight reasons why Karl Urban is bad-ass:

Lord Vaako in Riddick (2013) and Chronicles of Riddick (2004). He’s got a necro-mullet, black armor, and a triple-headed halbard. Plus Thandie Newton and Alexa Davalos.

Dr. McCoy in Star Trek Into Darkness (2013) and Star Trek (2009). OK, so he’s not the fighter that Kirk and Spock are. But he’s still got that wry wit. Plus Zoe Saldana

Judge Dredd in Dredd (2012). His unrelenting Sly Stallone imitation, a voice-activated gun that fires bullets, high explosives, incendiary, and armor piercing rounds. Plus Olivia Thirlby.

Black Hat in Priest (2011). No, that’s not a typo. He’s a vampire – a rare evil role for an actor who typically plays good guys. And, no surprise, he wears a beat-up black hat.

John Grimm in Doom (2005). Plus the BFG 9000. The most powerful weapon in the Doom video game, it fires giant balls of green plasma. It can clear entire rooms of foes, and is often an instant kill if a target takes a direct hit from the projectile.

Kirill in The Bourne Supremacy (2004). CIA officers are paying $3 million for the “Neski files,” documents about the theft of $20 million seven years earlier. Kirill originally frames Jason Bourne by planting his fingerprints and proceeds to kill the agent and the source, stealing the files and money.

Eomer in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) and The Two Towers (2002). He becomes King of Rohan upon Theoden dying in battle. “I would cut off your head, dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground.”

Julius Caesar in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1996-1998) and Xena: Warrior Princess (1996-2001). I suspect it is to his everlasting embarrassment that he also played a blond, winged Cupid. Oh the horror!

This post can also be viewed at the San Diego Children’s Book Examiner.