10 Best Live-Action Supervillain Suits
8. Penguin – The Batman (2022)
Burgess Meredith’s Penguin was comic accurate and Danny DeVito’s was appropriately freaky, but Colin Farrell’s in The Batman is mind-blowing. The lack of a monocle or top hat is a deviation from the comics, but in the hands of capable filmmakers, risks like these work.
The makeup worn by Farrell is astounding, resulting in the actor being completely unrecognisable. Some cast members reportedly didn’t recognise him on set. The prosthetics give him a heavy, pockmarked face, with deep scars and rough, uneven skin that suggest years of criminal brawls. His nose is slightly flattened, which creates a slight to the bird-like appearance, subtly nodding to his ‘Penguin’ moniker without being cartoonish. The heavy prosthetics are truly transformative, yet it never feels as though Farrell is playing a caricature.
The Penguin’s outfit also leans heavily into the world of crime bosses. He is typically seen wearing dark, tailored suits with a slightly oversized fit, adding to his bulky and imposing frame. The suits are often paired with long coats, giving him a sense of authority without looking too refined. The use of leather shoes, gold rings, and chains, subtly hints at his ambition and desire for power in Gotham’s underworld. He’s a man on the rise, and his style shows it.
7. Loki – Avengers Assemble (2012)
One of the hardships of operating a shared cinematic universe is ensuring that each film (and therefore each franchise) has its own flavour. This is particularly prominent in the costume department. Ideally, a Wakandan king shouldn’t have the same tailor as Captain America. Luckily, the first villain to take on the Avengers had the perfect wardrobe.
Loki’s costume can be summed up as regal arrogance. Designed by Charlie Wen, the supervillain’s costume was made to be more overtly ceremonial than practical. This is in line with Loki being a scheming trickster as opposed to someone who will engage in battle. The green and gold gives him grandeur, and the design of the armour honours both Norse mythology and the MCU’s science-based magic.
The golden horned helmet is theatrical without being too much, and offers a nice translation from its comic counterpart. The horns make him look regal and intimidating. When Loki dons the helmet, it’s as if he is fully embracing his role as a villain, signalling to viewers that he’s not just a mischievous troublemaker but a worthy villain for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
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6. Mysterio – Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019)
Sometimes comic book designs are thought to be too bizarre for live-action, but Anna B. Sheppard, the costume designer on Spider-Man’s second MCU outing, proved that with the correct execution, they can effective. Somehow, Sheppard made Mysterio’s fishbowl work.
When Jake Gyllenhaal wears it, it gives Mysterio an otherworldly presence, reinforcing the idea of a powerful being. The way the helmet appears and disappears in clouds of smoke adds to the theatricality that is at the core of his character.
The best part of Mysterio’s costume is that it can easily double as a superhero’s, which is the lie that Quentin Beck sells in the film. The rich colour scheme of metallic green and gold, with a suit of armor and a long regal cape, evokes heroism. It’s always great when a character’s costume directly ties into their motivations – it’s this extra level of thought that pushes these designs to be the very best.
While it looks like the attire of a classic superhero, it is designed to mask the fact that Mysterio is a con artist using technology and special effects to create elaborate illusions. Having his true costume be a motion capture suit is a stroke of genius in this respect. It’s also a nice meta reference for film fans, as most of the time actors are wearing these motion capture suits while filming.
Amazing picks!