A talented actor known for playing a wide variety of characters, the New Zealand-born star has become a cornerstone of modern genre films. If there’s a sci-fi, fantasy, or comic-based film heading into production, you’ll find him being discussed for one of the lead roles. His genuine love for all things geeky, and his accessibility to fans, have made him a beloved part of our generation’s nerd culture. Let’s take a look at some of his best roles, and few you may not have seen.
Eomer – Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (2002)
The Third Marshal of the Riddermark, and future King of Rohan, Eomer, son of Eomund, has a naturally commanding personality and a regal bearing. However, he never comes off as imperious, showing kindness and fairness to all under his protection. He risks his life and freedom to protect his sister, Eowyn, assists Aragorn in his search for the missing hobbits, and musters the Riders of Rohan to the aid of Gandalf the White, changing the outcome of the battle of Helm’s Deep.
Those are some massive shoes to fill, especially for an actor who had never worked outside of his native New Zealand. Taking on the role of the chivalrous hero in one of the biggest film franchises of all time must have been intimidating, but you’d never know it seeing him on the screen. Eomer’s courage, honor, and leadership are perfectly portrayed in Urban’s first major film role.
Rob, The Dairy Farmer – The Price of Milk (2000)
This is a film I can only describe as beautifully bizarre. Part down-to-earth love story, part outlandish fantasy, part slapstick comedy, it’s a quirky gem of a film from New Zealand. Rob loves two things in life – his cows, and his girlfriend, Lucinda. She, however, is insecure in Rob’s affections, and on the (very bad) advice of her best friend, sets out to test his devotion. In the beyond-unlikely events that follow, the couple break up, Rob loses his 117 cows, and the erstwhile lovers’ agoraphobic dog refuses to come out of his box.
The entire plot is seen through the unique eyes of Kiwi humor, Maori tradition, and the beautiful countryside of New Zealand itself, which is almost its own character in the film.
This movie could have easily been *very* bad, but Urban’s charm and affability make you forget how preposterous the premise is. You simply want Rob to get his cows, his girl, and his sanity back. The role shows off his natural talent for both romance and comedy, making you hope he’ll one day get a chance to tackle these genres again.
Leonard “Bones” McCoy – Star Trek (2009)
There are few film properties more iconic than Star Trek. The three leads are the holy trinity of science fiction – cocky, hot-headed captain James T. Kirk; logical, level-headed first officer Mr. Spock; and grumpy, 100%-done-with-your-shit Dr. McCoy. The character is impatient, irascible, sarcastic, condescending, and wants no one to know just how much he cares about his beloved crew.
He’ll move heaven and earth (not to mention the rest of the galaxy) to help his friends, all while treating them like they’re about as wanted as a case of Andorian shingles.
Taking Bones from the lonely, paranoid alcoholic who is literally running away from the entire planet, to the loyal friend and strong, capable Starfleet officer who would lay his life down for his crew, is no small task. His constant sarcasm and frequent one-liners could easily come off as clichéd, but Urban makes him surprisingly relatable. You just can’t wait to see Dr. Grumpypants slip up and actually smile about something. Here’s hoping we get even more Bones in next year’s Beyond.
Ghost – Pathfinder (2007)
Circa 1000 A.D., a Viking ship washes up on the North American shore. Every passenger is dead, except for a young boy. He is taken in and raised by the local Native tribe. Named Ghost for his white skin, he nevertheless finds a place among his adoptive people, and becomes a beloved member of the tribe. Many years later, the Norse marauders return, bent on conquest. The majority of Ghost’s tribe is slain, and he sets out for bloody vengeance. And bloody it is. This film has some of the most brutal battle scenes you’ll ever see. The violence provides a stark contrast to the breathtaking cinematography. It’s a visual feast of a movie, with beautiful scenery, extraordinary costumes, and graphic, well-choreographed visuals of a one-man war machine.
While the role didn’t require him to learn many lines – I was surprised by the film’s small amount of dialogue – Ghost’s motives and emotions are plain for all to see on Urban’s very expressive face. Once again, his talent takes what could have been a less than stellar plot, and elevates it to a highly entertaining piece of cinema. If you love action, ancient battles, or history with a twist, this is a film I highly recommend.
Judge Dredd – DREDD (2012)
You didn’t think I would leave this one out, did you? For a devoted, ever-growing fanbase, this is Urban’s quintessential role. In the not-so-distant future, America is a post-nuclear wasteland, and violent crime is so overwhelmingly frequent that law enforcement simply can’t keep up. A new breed of cop is born – one with the authority to be judge, jury, and executioner on the spot. Mega-City One’s Hall of Justice is home to many revered Judges, but none are more respected – or more feared – than Judge Joe Dredd.
On this particular day, Dredd is assigned to give a rookie assessment to one Cassandra Anderson, a mind-reading mutant who is less than sure of herself, but determined to make a difference to the city. Dredd is to simply take her along on his normal day’s work, and see how she holds up. She doesn’t look ready. Called to the massive slum block known as Peach Trees for a double homicide, the two Judges quickly find themselves in over their heads. A bounty is put on them by the block’s resident drug lord, Madeline Madrigal, aka Ma-Ma. She’s insane, without compunction, and beyond ruthless. The block is locked down, and the Judges aren’t meant to walk out alive.
What follows is the tightest, well-shot, balls-to-the-wall action ever put to film. The body count is in the hundreds. Never once does Dredd’s ever-present scowl waver. It’s all in a day’s work for the man who is the living embodiment of the Law. And through it all, his rookie, Anderson, maintains an air of fairness, dignity, and courage. She finally looks ready.
With a built-in fan base from the 2000 AD comic, who were less than pleased with the character’s previous film incarnation, the stakes were high to get it right this time around. Urban did not disappoint. From the trademark grimace, to the way he held his Lawgiver, to not removing his battered helmet, to the iconic “I am the Law” speech, he nailed the character in every possible way. Fans and critics alike have lauded his performance as one that will go down as one of the all-time great cinematic action icons. Petitions continue to circulate lobbying for a sequel, and whether this will happen is still the question Urban is most often asked by fans, more than three years later.
What do you think of these five films? Do you have other Karl Urban favorites? Let us know in the comments below!