Two-time Oscar nominee Djimon Hounsou has appeared in some of the biggest blockbuster movies of all time, but the Beninese-American actor admits he still experiences discrimination in the film industry.
Though he is the most-nominated African actor in the history of the Academy Awards, he recently revealed the economic gap between his salary and what other actors of his stature earn.
“I still have to prove why I need to get paid. They always come at me with a complete lowball: ‘We only have this much for the role, but we love you so much and we really think you can bring so much.'”
In celebration of Hounsou’s amazing body of work, we’ve complied a list of his ten best movies!
10. Constantine
Hounsou stars as the voodoo witch doctor Papa Midnight in Constantine. He helps exorcist John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) use second sight to find missing detective Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz). They discover that Dodson is possessed by Mammon, and needs Constantine’s powers to break free.
9. Shazam
Hounsou appears in the DCEU as Shazam, the mighty wizard who endows Billy Batson (Asher Angel) and his family with their superhero powers. He appears in both movies in the film franchise opposite Zachary Levi.
Check out Shazam! on Netflix, and Shazam! Fury of the Gods is playing in theaters.
8. Gladiator
In Ridley Scott’s critically acclaimed historical drama Gladiator, Hounson stars as the Numidian fighter Juba, who battles alongside former Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe).
Gladiator also stars Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, and Richard Harris. Many view the film as a cinematic masterpiece.
Watch Gladiator on Netflix.
7. The Island
Hounsou plays Albert Laurent in Michael Bay’s sci-fi thriller The Island opposite Ewan MacGregor and Scarlett Johansson. It tells a chilling tale of manipulation and biological exploitation. The film also stars Steve Buscemi and Michael Clarke Duncan.
The Island is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
6. How To Train Your Dragon 2
In Dreamworks’ How to Train Your Dragon 2, Hounsou is the voice Drago Bludvist, a coldhearted mercenary who hunts dragons to recruit into his dragon army. The film also features the voices of Gerard Butler, Cate Blanchett, and America Ferrera.
Check out How to Train Your Dragon 2 on Netflix.
5. Furious 7
Hounsou stars as Nigerian terrorist Mose Jakande in Furious 7. His character is a security contractor who operates a private military company and is the ally of the nefarious and vindictive Deckard Shaw (Jason Stratham). Furious 7 also stars Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, and Kurt Russell.
Furious 7 is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
4. Captain Marvel
In Captain Marvel, Hounsou makes his foray into the MCU as he co-stars with Brie Larson to tell the story of Carol Danvers. He plays the Kree-Skrull warrior Korath who is the deputy commander of Starforce. His character also appears in Guardians of the Galaxy.
Watch Furious 7 on Disney Plus.
3. Blood Diamond
Blood Diamond tells the story of a father’s fight to rescue his son from life as a child soldier during Sierra Leone’s civil war. He plays Solomon Vandy (Hounsou), a Sierra Leonean fisherman enslaved by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and forced to mine diamonds to fund their rebellion. He discovers a rare pink diamond, and eventually crosses paths with Danny Archer (Leonardo DiCaprio), a ruthless Rhodesian smuggler. Their stories intertwine as Archer wants to acquire the diamond, and Vandy wants to find and liberate his son. Hounsou received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 79th Academy Awards.
Blood Diamond is streaming on Netflix.
2. The King’s Man
Hounsou stars as Shola, also known as Merlin, in the third action-packed installment of the Kingsman film franchise. Shola is the butler and confidante of the Duke of Oxford (Ralph Fiennes) and a member of his spy network. Disguised as a domestic servant, he successfully infiltrates the circles of some of the world’s most influential figures. The film also stars Rhys Ifans and Charles Dance.
1. Amistad
Steven Spielberg’s Amistad tells the true story of Mende warrior Sengbe Pieh (Hounsou), who is captured and enslaved. He became internationally renowned as Joseph Cinqué after leading the revolt aboard the slave ship La Amistad and waging a landmark legal battle for his right to be free in the U.S. Supreme Court in 1841. The stellar cast includes Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman, Matthew McConaughey, and Stellan Skarsgård. Hounsou won an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor In A Motion Picture.
Summary
There are many honorable mentions in Houson’s resume, including Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life, Black Adam, Aquaman, Push, and A Quiet Place Part II. Hounson also voiced King T’Challa in the Black Panther television show from Marvel Knights. Considering the total box office for his films is several billion dollars, it’s no wonder he feels slighted when he is asked to justify his salary to producers.