Hollywood's Ultimate Villain: The One Actor Quentin Tarantino Regrets Never Working With
Few directors have reshaped modern cinema like Quentin Tarantino, whose love for gritty, low-budget B-movies has fueled his legendary career. But even this master of cinematic revival has one unfulfilled dream: working with a legendary Western actor whose chilling presence defined an entire era of villains. And here's the twist—it's not who you might expect.
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Tarantino’s filmography reads like a love letter to overlooked talent. He famously breathed new life into the careers of John Travolta ("Pulp Fiction"), Pam Grier ("Jackie Brown"), and David Carradine ("Kill Bill"). Even Franco Nero, the original Django, got a nostalgic cameo in Django Unchained (learn more about the controversial Western that inspired it). But there’s one iconic figure Tarantino missed—and it haunts him to this day.
In a revealing 2014 interview on The Director’s Chair (watch the full conversation here), Robert Rodriguez asked Tarantino a pointed question: "Who, in your opinion, is the ultimate badass actor of all time?" Tarantino’s answer? Lee Van Cleef—the razor-faced legend of Western cinema. "I’ve been on a real Lee Van Cleef kick lately," Tarantino admitted, lamenting that Van Cleef passed away in 1989, just before Tarantino’s own directing career began.
The Rise of a Screen Villain: How Lee Van Cleef Became Hollywood’s Go-To Bad Guy
Van Cleef’s career started humbly. His first role? A nameless gang member in the 1952 classic High Noon. But it was his partnership with Italian director Sergio Leone—the godfather of Spaghetti Westerns (explore the genre’s origins)—that cemented his legacy. In For a Few Dollars More (stream it here), Van Cleef stunned audiences by playing a hero—bounty hunter Douglas Mortimer, driven by vengeance. But it was his turn as Angel Eyes ("The Bad") in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (watch the 4K version) that defined villainy for generations. Cold, calculating, and charismatic, Angel Eyes became the blueprint for every Western antagonist that followed.
Controversial Take: Was Van Cleef Too Good at Being Bad?
Here’s where it gets interesting. Van Cleef’s face was his fortune—and his curse. With piercing eyes, a hawk-like profile, and a smirk that could freeze blood, he was born to play villains. As Johnny Carson joked during a 1984 interview (watch the clip), "You’ve probably played more villains than anyone in Hollywood." But Van Cleef embraced it: "Villains have depth," he argued. "If you can mix sympathy with their cruelty, that’s the real challenge."
And yet—could his typecasting have limited his career? Modern actors often resist being pigeonholed, but Van Cleef leaned into his niche. Was this a missed opportunity, or a masterclass in owning a persona? (Sound off in the comments!)
Lee Van Cleef’s Unexpected Legacy: From Westerns to… Star Wars?
Van Cleef’s influence stretches far beyond the 1960s. Cad Bane, the blue-skinned bounty hunter from Star Wars: The Clone Wars (read more), is a direct homage to Angel Eyes. Even Rango’s Rattlesnake Jake mirrors Van Cleef’s serpentine menace. But the real surprise? Horror maestro John Carpenter—another Van Cleef superfan—cast him as a grizzled police commissioner in Escape from New York (explore Carpenter’s Western influences). Paired with Kurt Russell’s Clint Eastwood impression, it was a meta-tribute to Van Cleef’s Spaghetti Western roots.
The Unmade Masterpiece: What Could Tarantino Have Done with Van Cleef?
Picture this: A Tarantino-directed Western starring Lee Van Cleef at his peak (circa 1969–70). Maybe a blood-soaked revenge tale, or a twisted mentor-protégé dynamic. The mind reels. "I wish I could’ve worked with him," Tarantino sighed. Instead, we’re left with a tantalizing what-if—and a reminder that even legends have regrets.
So we ask you: Which modern actor could fill Van Cleef’s boots? Is there anyone today who radiates that same chilling charisma? Drop your picks below—and debate whether Hollywood still makes villains this iconic.
