Top 10 actors who played robots, androids, and cyborgs in films. Who is the best? (11 photos)

Would you like to live in a future where these cyborgs become as common as smartphones or laptops?





A.I. (2001) - Haley Joel Osment and Jude Law



A large-scale science fiction film by Steven Spielberg, starring Haley Joel Osment and Jude Law as robots. Young Haley, who played David, said, "It was both challenging and exciting for me. Every new day on set was a big adventure." It turned out quite well, especially considering Osment was only 12 years old during filming. Spielberg personally praised the young actor's performance. Jude Law, who played the robot Gigolo Joe in the film, was delighted after reading the original script and Brian Aldiss's short story on which the film was based. To prepare for the role, Jude took dance lessons, studied mime, and even learned how to move peacocks. Jude Law and Haley Joel Osment and their robot characters in Spielberg's memorable and, for many, heartwarming film, "Artificial Intelligence."

Ghost in the Shell (2017) - Scarlett Johansson





Scarlett Johansson plays a combat cyborg with a fully synthetic body. Major Mira Killian is a unique, perfect cyborg. In the film, she is a member of Section Nine, whose primary mission is to combat dangerous criminals. Scarlett called the role and her development of the character a fascinatingly grueling experience in a film project whose script she immediately fell in love with. Although the film failed to live up to studio expectations, grossing only modestly at the box office, and adding to its other troubles, sometimes scathing reviews from critics who were stingy with compliments. But Scarlett certainly had no reason to complain; she received a substantial salary for the role, over $10 million, and there's no doubt that Johansson created one of the most attractive cyborgs in cinema.

Bicentennial Man (1999) - Robin Williams



Director Chris Columbus's film, which gave the world the image of the robot Andrew, a role so carefully crafted on screen by Robin Williams. His robot is happy to serve everyone, and has a host of interesting built-in features, such as kindness, responsiveness, and respect. And although the film, in many ways unexpectedly, flopped miserably at the worldwide box office, this box office failure did not dampen the opinions of our viewers, who to this day rank Columbus's film as one of the most famous and touching films about a robot with a human soul. Recalling the filming, Williams said that thanks to the excellent, professional makeup work, he quickly adapted to the costume and literally became the character of Andrew, a character he sincerely sympathized with. Robin Williams has long been gone; the actor passed away in August 2014. But his films, and in particular this engaging and heartfelt role, will forever be remembered by film lovers.

Prometheus (2012) - Michael Fassbender



One of the most discussed and criticized projects of 2012 was Ridley Scott's "Prometheus," in which Michael Fassbender played the android David. His character is a deft manipulator with an excellent memory and a high level of intelligence. He described preparing for the role and the filming process itself as a thrilling adventure, with each new workday offering a fundamentally new acting experience. In creating his character, he based his portrayal on Rutger Hauer's character in "Blade Runner," a film that is one of Michael's favorites. Michael created his own, in many ways, extraordinary character. After the premiere of "Prometheus," Fassbender and his character became the subject of discussion among audiences and critics, and now his android will be used as a model for other actors in the future.

Guest from the Future (1984) - Evgeny Gerasimov



A domestic hit, the plot and characters of which every Soviet schoolchild knew by heart. This classic film has long since become a national treasure. At one time, everyone knew the names of its characters: Alisa Selezneva, Kolya Gerasimov, Krys, Fima Korolev, Veselchak U, Ivan Sergeyevich, and, of course, the biorobot Werther, played by Yevgeny Gerasimov. The actor said, "This role was a challenge for me; Werther's costume was tightly sewn, and putting it on was very difficult and time-consuming." It was challenging, in every sense of the word. After all, some filming sessions lasted 7-8 hours. The heroically resilient actor Yevgeny Gerasimov and his meticulous, soulful, and oh-so-relatable robot Werther, in the memorable film Guest from the Future, are a worthy addition to our list.

Aliens (1986) - Lance Henriksen



In 1986, James Cameron directed Aliens, a landmark film for the genre, starring the tireless workaholic actor Lance Henriksen as the android. Lance already has over two hundred films to his credit, but he calls the preparation for this role unique and always remembers it with particular trepidation. Henriksen said, "I thought long and hard about how I would embody such an extraordinary character, and then I decided to play myself at age 11. At that age, my perspective and worldview mirrored those of my character, Bishop. I was completely focused on my desire to help and make the world a better place. But unlike my younger self, Bishop actually managed to help." Lance Henriksen also appeared as Bishop in Alien 3. Indeed, Cameron has a special gift as a director, able to make audiences fall in love with an inanimate robot character. Lance Henriksen and his android Bishop are a shining example of an actor's hard work and impressive performance.

Blade Runner (1982) - Rutger Hauer



The android replicant Roy Batty, in Ridley Scott's cult sci-fi film "Blade Runner." Rutger Hauer played the role masterfully. Ridley Scott recalled: "When Rutger read the script, he asked a lot of questions about the character's emotional range. He asked, 'Does my character have a soul? Does he have guilt? Does he have a sense of humor?'" Ultimate anger was an important factor in creating the character. Rutger meticulously developed his character, and on set, he improvised and, in the director's opinion, was incomparable. It's hard to disagree with Ridley; Hauer's character truly possessed a magnetic force, and his followers, actors who play such compelling roles, looked up to him. Rutger Hauer passed away in July 2019. However, his film roles, particularly those of Roy Batty, are unforgettable and etched in cinematic history.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - Robert Patrick



A classic of the genre, featuring one of the most famous antagonists in cinema history – the robot Terminator T-1000, played by actor Robert Patrick. His mission is to eliminate future resistance leader John Connor. He takes the form of anyone he touches. Deadly, but highly sensitive to extreme temperatures. Patrick impressed Cameron during his audition, immediately declaring, "I want to do this and I can do it!" And he did, creating the on-screen image of a deadly, destructive robot crushing everything in its path. To this day, some critics and viewers call Patrick's character one of the best villains in the sci-fi action genre, as well as the best of all the characters who have confronted Arnold Schwarzenegger in film.

RoboCop (1987) - Peter Weller



Paul Verhoeven's sci-fi action film gave the film world one of the most recognizable images of RoboCop. Its creator, actor Peter Weller, later recalled: "I genuinely hated the suit I had to work in at first. I could barely move in it, I felt paralyzed. It took me a long time to adapt and somehow get used to this unbearable burden. And you know, over time, I got used to it and I really enjoyed it. I felt like a prisoner who can't wait to get back to his cell." For Peter, this was definitely the most original, challenging, and certainly unforgettable acting experience. The result of such acting efforts, coupled with a compelling plot and direction, was one of the finest films in a genre that, in the era of cassette tapes and VCRs, occupied a prominent place in home collections.

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - Arnold Schwarzenegger



James Cameron's iconic film gave the world one of the most impressive portrayals of the Terminator, performed by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Arnold Schwarzenegger truly embodied the character of the Terminator, as if the character had been created for him. The Terminator's apt remarks have long been widely quoted, and his character has attracted numerous imitators, parodies, and memes. Schwarzenegger himself spoke of his collaboration with Cameron: "As the story unfolds, the Terminator acquires human qualities. That's precisely the genius of director Cameron: he knows how to show the development of a soulless machine and make the audience believe him." Arnold's character is one of the most famous and enduring characters in the genre. The first two films hold a prominent place in cinematic history as some of the best sci-fi action films ever made. Arnold's iconic portrayal of the Terminator is the very role for which we love the diverse and captivating world of cinema.