Liam Neeson is one of the most popular action stars in the industry, who has been part of highly acclaimed films like Les Misérables, Taken, The A-Team, and more. The actor is prominently known for the role of Ra’s al Ghul in Batman Begins, featuring Christian Bale.
In the film, Neeson played the role of the supervillain who was the nemesis of Batman. Directed by Christopher Nolan, the film brought a new gravity and darkness to the characters.
Liam Neeson in Batman Begins
The film was a commercial success, and two sequels were also made, which featured Christian Bale in the lead role. However, Liam Neeson, who played the villain in the first part, does not care about the superhero genre.
Batman Begins fame Liam Neeson disapproves of the superhero films genre
In an interview with Rolling Stone, reported by ComicBookMovie, Neeson shared his thoughts on the superhero genre. The Taken star told fans about his issue with the genre,
“I’ll be honest: All these superhero movies? I’m not a fan. I’m really not…I admire them because it’s Hollywood with all their bells and whistles and technology, which is phenomenal, but they all seem to me to be just the same story. You can say, ‘OK, you did do Chris Nolan’s.’”
Ra’s Al Ghul
Neeson pointed out that his work in Batman Trilogy was different because of its unique tone and excellent cast. He shared,
“They had a noir feel to them. And Chris Bale and Gary Oldman? Come on! What a cast. And Michael [Caine] and Morgan [Freeman]?”
Liam Neeson portrayed Henri Ducard, aka Ra’s al Ghul, the leader of the League of Shadows, a society that sets out to punish the corrupt.
He also shared in another interview with Entertainment Tonight in 2020,
“I admire the actors and I know some of the actors who do it — and do it fantastically. It’s just not my genre, it isn’t.”
Neeson portrayed the character of Henri Ducard, or Ra’s al Ghul, the leader of the League of Shadows. It is a special society set up to punish the corrupt.
Liam Neeson’s role in Christian Bale’s Batman Begins
Neeson worked in Christopher Nolan‘s superhero film Batman Begins as Ra’s al Ghul. He was a villain who acted as a mentor to Christian Bale’s Bruce Wayne. The director had taken inspiration from the DC Comic character; hence Ra’s was more grounded in reality. He was portrayed as the leader of an underground organization. He was not traditionally immortal like Lazarus Pit, but rather, he gained immortality through his legacy, with the assistance of his daughter Talia (Marion Cotillard). Ra’s al Ghul is a complex villain, played exceptionally by Liam Neeson.
Batman Begins
The film grossed over $371.9 million worldwide and became the second highest-grossing Batman film of the time.
He also appeared briefly in The Dark Knight Rises, which was released in 2012.