User:Ameliaguesman/sandbox

Introduction Science fiction, according to Oxford, is fiction based on imagined future scientific or technological advances and major social or environmental changes, frequently portraying space or time travel and life on other planets. In these stories the antagonist, or the villain, plays an important role. Although settings and genres change over time, the need for a villain is crucial, especially in science fiction. Over years the development of technology has increased the interest in science fiction films, making characters as real as possible. History The first science fiction film appeared in 1902 called, Le Voyage dans la luna which used trick photography in the making. Over the next few years other movies like Frankenstein (1910) and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920) were created focused around science fiction and horror themes. As technology advanced, so did the creativity of movies and books. 2. Themes/Imagery Science fiction in general is usually surrounded by key elements like science and technology and usually contain magic, supernatural, and fantasy components. “Film theorist Vivian Sobchack argues that science fiction films differ from fantasy films in that while science fiction film seeks to achieve our belief in the images we are viewing, fantasy film instead attempts to suspend our disbelief.” 3. Science Fiction Villains 3.1- 1920’s-1930’s C. A. Rotwang (Metropolis, 1927) - He is driven, passionate and brilliant man, who lives in the great future city of Metropolis. He was friends with Joh Fredersen, a promising young business student, and the two of them met Hel at school. The friendship was strained when both pursued Hel, a woman he loved. Fredersen ultimately won her affection. She died giving birth to their first son, Freder, which drove Rotwang to swear revenge. Rotwang's greatest invention was a mechanical reincarnation of Hel as an android, in hopes it would destroy their revolution. Rotwang made a final desperate effort to kidnap Maria, Feder’s lover, and kill her, but he ultimately fell from the top of a cathedral after a struggle with Freder. Lex Luthor (Superman, 1933) - He built himself a financial empire through hard work and dedication—but mainly through the strategic use of intimidation, bribery and murder. Sacrificing other people became simply a means to an end on the path to success, but Luthor always made sure none of his deplorable acts could be traced back to him. Instead, his climb to power and rise in status made him someone to look up to. He was driven by jealousy masked with hate over what he perceives to be his stolen place as humanity's true savior, Luthor constantly attempts to destroy and humiliate Superman at every possible opportunity. Ming the Merciless (Flash Gordon, 1934) - Ming is known to be callous and wicked. He is the Emperor of Mongo and arch-enemy of Flash Gordon. He is the blasphemous and tyrannical dictator of the planet, bent on the conquest of Earth. When Flash Gordon and his companions, scientist Hans Zarkov and Dale Arden traveled to Mongo to prevent its collision with Earth, they were captured by Emperor Ming's forces. Soon, Emperor Ming's megalomaniac views brought him in conflict with the earthlings. Outsmarting Flash Gordon and setting traps up for him, devising vile schemes, and various other intentions. The Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz,1939) - One of the few female villains that are popular. She is cruel, manipulative, and cold – all the features that one would expect from one who is wicked. She remains in power by using her army of flying monkeys that do her bidding. She uses the fear of her cruelty in order to stay in power – and prior to Dorothy arriving in Oz, the terrors of the Wicked Witch had simply been a part of life for the citizens of Oz. She attempts to steal Dorothy's ruby slippers and locks her away while she kills her friends. The Wicked Witch dies when Dorothy's tries to extinguish fire on the Scarecrow and ends up throwing it on the witch, who melts. 3.2 1940’s-1970’s Khan (Star Trek, 1966) - First appeared in the episode, “Space Seed” in the original series. Originally played by Ricardo Montalban, Kahn’s evil ambition helped further the Eugenics War. He escaped with followers on the S.S. Botany Bay, a DY-100 vessel modified as a sleeper ship. Two centuries later, Khan tried to seize the U.S.S. Enterprise but failed and was sentenced to tame the World of Ceti Alpha V. Kahn was extremely powerful and intelligent. In 2285, Khan hijacked the top-secret Genesis Device in a plan to exact vengeance against James T. Kirk. Khan failed to defeat his old foe, and died when he detonated the matter-reorganizing, terraforming device. The Joker (Batman, 1966) - The Joker is the most evil, deranged, and flat out psychotic killer of all comic book and movie villains and Batman’s biggest rival. In his home of Gotham, The Joker is known to be unpredictable and dangerous villain. The Joker revels in creating chaos and destroying lives, believing that life’s a big joke and psychotically demonstrating that in a moment, it can all change. Jabba the Hutt (Star Wars,1977) - One of the galaxy’s most powerful gangsters, with far-reaching influence in both politics and the criminal underworld. There were no second chances with Jabba, something Han Solo would find out -- though the slug-like alien would ultimately fall victim to his own hubris and vengeful ways. Bobba Fett (Star Wars,1977) - With his customized Mandalorian armor, deadly weaponry, and silent demeanor, Boba Fett was one of the most feared bounty hunters in the galaxy. A genetic clone of his “father,” bounty hunter Jango Fett, Boba learned combat and martial skills from a young age. Over the course of his career, which included contracts for the Empire and the criminal underworld, he became a legend. Darth Vader (Star Wars,1977) - Previously known as Anakin Skywalker. One of the most notable characters from the Star Wars series. Once a heroic Jedi Knight, Darth Vader was seduced by the dark side and became a Sith Lord. “Villain amongst villains”. Vader showed true evil in the first film when a coworker questioned his beliefs and ended up snapping his neck. Darth Vader died in the Return of the Jedi when they battled. Darth Vader became one with the force but it ended up costing his life. Emperor Palpatine (Star Wars,1977) - Scheming, powerful, and evil to the core, Darth Sidious restored the Sith and destroyed the Jedi Order. Living a double life, Sidious was in fact Palpatine, a Naboo senator and phantom menace. He slowly manipulated the political system of the Galactic Republic until he was named supreme chancellor -- and eventually emperor -- ruling the galaxy through fear and tyranny. 3.3 1980’s-2000’s Roy Batty (Blade Runner, 1982) - He is intelligent, fast, and skilled at combat, yet still learning how to deal with developing emotions. He blew a few of his fellow replicants on what is inevitably a fruitless search for more life. As hope slowly fades away and his friends are eliminated one by one, it is his experience that brings up the question of "What is human?". In the end of his four-year life, he gains empathy for humans and dies calmly. Master Control Program (MCP) (Tron, 1982) - The MCP was a rogue computer program, created by Walter Gibbs and vastly improved by Ed Dillinger, that ruled over the world inside ENCOM's mainframe computer system. During the rule of the MCP, many programs were enslaved and pitted against the program's henchmen, led by Commander Sark. Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Rune, 1984) - He is the ruler of House Harkonnen, and the remainder of his House were the chief rivals of the House of Atreides, led by Duke Leto Atreides I. His repulsive appearance reflects the ugly person inside. The Baron lives in a world of debauchery and death. He works with the Emperor against House Atreides to gain control of Dune. The Baron represents all that is evil in a villain. Terminator (The Terminator,1984) - Specifically the T-800 Series Model 101 is a cybernetic organism sent back in time from a post-apocalyptic future in an effort to carry out its mission of either protection or assassination. He is sent to kill Sarah Connor, the future mother of John Connor, the leader of the future human Resistance. It was the first of the Infiltrators sent back on assassination missions by Skynet. It is arguably the single most significant Terminator unit as it inadvertently "fathered" Skynet in its journey through time, similar to how Kyle Reese fathered John Connor in his. The Penguin (Batman Returns,1992 ) - Oswald Cobblepot, known as The Penguin, is a villain in the Batman universe. He gets his name from his physical appearance that consists of a squat body and a pointy nose resembling a beak. His trademark tuxedo also helps his image as an Antarctic bird. As a child, he always carried an umbrella to be prepared just in case it rained. The Penguin is known for his devious ways, and mastery of his fowl friends. His is also extremely intelligent and cultured. He still lives on as an enemy to Batman in the Batman universe.

Catwoman (Batman Returns, 1992) - Serina Kyle is an enemy as well as an aid to Batman. Before she was Catwoman, Serina was a meek secretary to Max Shreck. After he threw her out of a window and she survived, she became Catwoman. An attractive, smart, and devious love interest of Batman, Catwoman is well known in the Batman universe. She still lives on as a changing character.

The Riddler (Batman: The Animated Series, 1992) - Edward Nygma is a villain in the Batman Universe. His superpowers are limited to his brain itself. He is insanely intelligent, leading him to be obsessed with riddles. More often than not, his riddles involve life and death situations. His upbringing as an abused child led him to madness. He lives on in the Batman universe as a recurring character, with Batman needing to solve his riddles. Darth Maul (Star Wars, 1999) - The disfigured Sith lord with the infamous double-edged lightsaber, Darth Maul was one of the most vicious and skilled fighters for the Dark Side. Darth Maul is first encountered by Obi-Wan Kenobi on the planet Naboo during the droid invasion. Maul is a cunning, tactful, and loyal Sith lord that defeated Jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn in combat. He was defeated by Kenobi, with his body falling into a molten pit after being sliced in half. At a young age, he became an apprentice to Darth Sidious, where he was trained for combat. Agent Smith (The Matrix, 1999) - Agent Smith is the leader of the "Agents", a program designed by the Matrix to cleanse the system of undesirable material and/or resistance. Smith's role in the film is to track down the leader of said resistance, Morpheus, and retrieve vital information the controlling machines need to destroy the rebel fighters, more specifically the location of their home city, Zion. Smith has grown to hate the Matrix and is known to be persistent and immortal. Neo, the hero, confronts Smith and ends up deleting his program within. In The Matrix Reloaded, Smith returns and becomes a virus. Smith finally dies to one last battle with Neo, who deletes him and his virus. Magneto (X-Men, 2000) - Max Eisenhardt is a mutant villain in the X-Men universe. His life started as a boy born to a Jewish family in the late 1920’s. He experienced the Holocaust from the perspective of a victim. He rose to the rank of “Sonderkommando”, which was essentially Jewish prisoners which assisted the Nazi guards. His experience in the Holocaust would inevitably shape his outlook on life with a belief that mutants are the next evolutionary step for humanity. He is an incredibly intelligent, cynical, and powerful villain. Magneto has yet to perish in the X-Men universe. 3.4 2001- Present Saruman (Lord of the Rings, 2001 ) - Saruman was a Istar (wizard), who lived in Middle-earth during the Third Age. Originally, he was the chief of the wizards and of the White Council that opposed Sauron. His extensive studies of dark magic, however, eventually led him to desire the One Ring for himself. Thinking he could ally himself with Sauron and then betray him, Saruman allied Isengard with Mordor in the War of the Ring, in which he was defeated. Sauron (Lord of the Rings, 2001) - Sauron was a fallen Maia, the creator of the One Ring, and the most trusted lieutenant of his master Melkor (Morgoth, the first Dark Lord). After Melkor's defeat in the First Age, Sauron became the second Dark Lord and strove to conquer Arda by creating the Rings of Power. In the Second Age, he was defeated in the War of the Last Alliance by the last line of defense. Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter, 2001) - Also known as Tom Riddle, seems to be one of the most popular villains in pop culture. Lord Voldemort is a very powerful and dark wizard who is the Dark Lord of the Death-Eaters. He plans to take over the wizarding world and to spread his supremacist views. Lord Voldemort finds out he must defeat Harry Potter before he can succeed. Lord Voldemort dies after each of his eight horcruxes have been destroyed, the last being his snake Nagini. Megatron (Transformers, 2007) - The arch-nemesis of Optimus Prime, who equals him in intellect and physicality. In most Transformers media, he is a gladiator who becomes convinced that his homeworld, Cyberton, is being led to ruin by its current rulers. Consequently, he takes control of Cyberton's warrior caste (the Decepticons) and revolts. After gaining power, he becomes the very thing he once fought against. His primary weapon has traditionally been a fusion cannon mounted to his right arm. Smaug (The Hobbit, 2012) - Smaug is a powerful, fearsome dragon who invaded the Dwarf kingdom of Erebor 150 years prior to the events described in the novel. A group of 13 Dwarves mounted a quest to take the kingdom back, aided by the wizard Gandalf and the Hobbit Bilbo Baggins. Smaug is described as "a most specially greedy, strong and wicked wyrm”. 3. References https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_fiction 4. External Links