History AdaptationalVillainy / LiveActionFilms

** Harry Osborn is notably less sympathetic than he was in the comics, being [[spoiler: the BigBad of the film, and the Green Goblin that's responsible for Gwen Stacy's death, rather than his father. In the comics, Harry was genuinely upset by Gwen's death.]]

* ''Film/TheBatman2022'' [[AdaptationAmalgamation takes some inspiration from]] ''ComicBook/BatmanEarthOne'' and ''VideoGame/BatmanTheTelltaleSeries'' with ComicBook/TheRiddler being an AxCrazy MadBomber with somewhat loftier goals.
** As for [[spoiler: Thomas Wayne he turns out to have been an accessory to murder, though it appears that he was provoked to it and wasn't entirely knowing of the consequences]].

** Miraz from ''Film/PrinceCaspian'' gets a good deal of this. In [[Literature/PrinceCaspian the book]], he appears infrequently and while he has done evil things such as killing his brother to take the throne and meant to kill his nephew Caspian himself after his own son was born, aside from that he is more pathetic than sinister, being easily manipulated by his subordinates who eventually betray him and at the beginning was just a strict uncle to his nephew Caspian rather than being outright abusive. In the film (due to AdaptationExpansion) Miraz's cruelty and tyranny is [[UpToEleven dialed up]] to the extent where he's basically the Narnia equivalent to Tywin Lannister for how much of a sociopathic bastard he is. The act of killing his brother, horrifies even his wife when she learns about it and he actively [[KickTheDog derides and mocks]] Caspian for his [[VirtueIsWeakness compassion]] even while the latter has a sword up against his throat. Additionally, unlike the book where Miraz at very least engaged in a fair duel with Peter, Miraz in the film instructs TheDragon Sopespian to cheat by killing Peter with a crossbow [[DirtyCoward should the fight sway in his favor]]. All in all, Miraz provides a greater case of HumansAreTheRealMonsters in the film than the book version does.

* ''Film/CloudAtlas'': Mephi, who in the book was a University professor who joined the Union [[spoiler:not knowing it was part of Unanimity.]] In the film, he is a major antagonist and head of the Neo Seoul police.

** ''Film/BatmanBegins'': Henri Ducard (Liam Neeson) proves himself a ruthless villain. In the comics, he's not really much more than a cynical French detective (whereas the movie leaves his nationality ambiguous). While the comic book Ducard is certainly an unsavory figure (in addition to being a MisanthropeSupreme, he's a sociopath who has no problem with shooting enemies InTheBack), he's far from being a supervillain and will even help Batman and Robin [[AloofAlly if he believes it is in his interest to do so]]. The film turns this character into a mass-murdering lunatic...although the plot eventually renders this forgivable by revealing that [[spoiler:"Henri Ducard" is nothing more than an alias for Ra's al Ghul, another comic book character who is portrayed more or less accurately]], and possibly with more sanity than he deserves, since the relatively-realistic setting cuts out Lazarus Pits.

*** [[spoiler: In the comics, ComicBook/RasAlGhul's daughter ComicBook/TaliaAlGhul is a gray-shaded character constantly going between AntiHero and AntiVillain, and has sincere feelings for Batman. In the film, Talia is a flat-out villain with none of the moral conflicts she has in the comics, instead being just as much of a KnightTemplar as her father. And her feelings for Batman are revealed to have been all an act: she never loved him, she loved Bane.]]
*** ComicBook/{{Bane}} himself, possibly, depending on whether you think the version that occasionally verges on NobleDemon but doesn't care about anyone but himself is more or less evil than the nihilistic destroyer with the bomb who [[spoiler: serves the League of Shadows]]

*** ComicBook/AmandaWaller herself, in the comics she's a flawed and militant figure but she still does genuinely care about saving innocent lives and forming shady organisations like the ComicBook/SuicideSquad can be seen as an extreme case of GoodIsNotNice on her part. In the film any affable traits Waller has are removed, her GeneralRipper traits are dialled UpToEleven and she's willingly to personally gun down all her employees in cold blood so they don’t see classified information. Waller only gets worse in ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' as she’s willingly to make sure Bloodsport’s teenager daughter will go to prison and die, just so he’ll be more willingly to go on the mission. [[spoiler: She’s also okay with letting thousands of innocent lives in Corto Maltese be killed by Starro and she attempts activate the squad’s [[ExplosiveLeesh explosives chips]] when they decide to disobey orders and [[BigDamnHeroes save the day]], only to be knocked unconscious by her staff who are sick of her awfulness.]]
** In ''Film/BirdsOfPrey2020'' [[ComicBook/BlackCanary Dinah Laurel Lance]] willingly works for AxCrazy {{sadist}} Black Mask at his club, something she would never do in the comics. She does a HeelFaceTurn to the side of good though.

*** [[spoiler: Peacemaker is still a vigilante like his comic counterpart, but this version of the character turns out to be TheMole for Comicbook/AmandaWaller, and kills Rick Flag while acting on orders from Waller to destroy all evidence of America's involvement in Project Starfish]].

* ''Film/DeathOnTheNile2022'': [[spoiler: Simon and Jacqueline the OutlawCouple killers would get hit with a good deal of this compared to the [[Literature/DeathOnTheNile book]] and [[Film/DeathOnTheNile1978 1978]] and [[Series/{{Poirot}} 2004]] adaptations. While they did murder RichBitch Linnet for her inheritance and in turn were forced to kill those who witnessed their crimes, they were still [[TragicVillain incredibly sympathetic]] being poor and in love and only wanting to have better lives for themselves and by the end they explictly [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone regreted]] their actions with Simon eventually confessing to killing Linnet. Poirot himself takes pity on them and allows Jackie to use the second pistol to kill Simon and herself so they can be TogetherInDeath and avoid being sentenced for their crimes. In the 2022 film, since Linnet gets AdaptationalNiceGirl and AdaptationalSympathy, Jackie and Simon naturally get the inverse being more callous and psychotic, they even pull out guns when Poirot outs them as the murderers. It's strongly implied they were planning to kill Linnet before she even met Simon and fell for him, unlike the book where it was after the fact. Jackie in particular has her lowkey CuteAndPsycho traits dialled up as rather than just stabbing the maid Louise after she demanded money for her silence, Jacqueline slits her throat and actually ''[[DesecratingTheDead shoves]] her body in Karnak's paddlewheels''. Jackie's sweet moments (such as a friendship with Poirot) are downplayed or given to other characters entirely.]]

** Mai gets this along with AdaptationalBadass. In the [[Manga/DragonBall source material]] she’s a fairly HarmlessVillain, just like her pathetic boss Emperor Pilaf and she’s terrified of actually evil characters like King Piccolo. In ''Anime/DragonBallSuper'' Mai actually heels turns to good and becomes Trunks’s LoveInterest. In the film Mai is a ruthless DarkChick loyal to Piccolo who’s willing to shoot a cowering mother and child, she doesn’t show any good qualities like her manga and anime version.

** In ''Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019'', the PteroSoarer kaiju Rodan is depicted as an outright antagonist, siding with King Ghidorah and becoming TheDragon to him after being defeated by him. Notably, Rodan in previous films has often been depicted as Godzilla's ally, or the very least a neutral figure playing off as a TokenEvilTeammate. [[spoiler: At the end, though, Rodan joins Godzilla's side after Ghidorah is defeated]]. Speaking of which, King Ghidorah himself is much more vile than he was in the original Toho version, being a direct SatanicArchetype who goes out of his way to try and kill a small girl who crossed him.

** ''Film/HarryPotterAndTheGobletOfFire'' excised a lot of [[spoiler:Barty Crouch Jr.]]'s more sympathetic traits, particularely his love for his mother and the scorn and neglect he received from his father, which partially explained why he looked up to Voldemort as a mentor figure. In the film he just seems to join the Death Eaters entirely ForTheEvulz.

** Cinderella's Prince. At least in [[Theatre/IntoTheWoods the musical]] he had nine plus months to get bored with married life; here he [[spoiler: turns around and cheats on Cinderella with the Baker's Wife practically the day after their wedding!]]

** Eggsy's [[ComicBook/TheSecretService comics]] counterpart's upper-class, Oxbridge-educated fellow recruits do make some comments regarding his background, but they're mostly friendly and even fight alongside him in the finale. They're mostly all absolute dicks in the movie, though. [[spoiler:One of them even turns up in Valentine's bunker party in the end and betrays Eggsy to Valentine]].
** Sir Giles, Arthur's equivalent character in the comics, [[spoiler:does not join forces with the villain and attempt to poison the protagonist.]] This role is fulfilled by Rupert Greaves, Merlin's comic equivalent instead.

* ''Film/LastOfTheMohicans'': In the film version, Duncan Heyward, although [[spoiler: he has a HeroicSacrifice]], is significantly more of a jerk than the character in the [[Literature/TheLastOfTheMohicans book]], who [[spoiler: not only survives the book, but his descendants remain loyal to Hawkeye.]]

*** Thranduil/The Elvenking, while more a {{Jerkass}} than a villain, has his unpleasant and [[FantasticRacism racist]] side played up to the hilt in the movies, with less emphasis on his redeeming quaities. In the book, he is the most reluctant between himself, Thorin, and Bard to start a war over Smaug's treasure, shifts his priorities from claiming the dragon's hoard towards providing relief to the survivors of Smaug's attack on Laketown, and is considerably warmer to Bilbo. He also seems to be on good terms with his son Legolas by the time of ''The Lord of the Rings'' (he's the one who sent Legolas to the Council of Elrond), while his actions ultimately estrange them in the films.

*** Smaug the Golden, while still a wicked and greedy dragon, is still far less vile than the other evil forces in Middle-earth like the Orcs and Sauron. In the movie, Smaug's evil traits are [[UpToEleven dialed up]] and it's clear he butchered the Dwarven race out of sadistic pleasure, not just for their treasure hoard. Additionally Smaug's attack on Lake Town in the book was because he mistakenly thought Bilbo and the Dwarves were working for them (thanks to Bilbo calling himself "Barrel Rider"), meaning it was MisplacedRetribution more than anything else. In the movie Smaug sees firsthand that it's actually Thorin and the Dwarven company trying to kill him, but ForTheEvulz Smaug goes and attacks the unaware Lake Town anyway, just to [[KickTheDog spite]] them and Bilbo in particular. The [[ReCut Extended Edition]] of ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies'' puts the cherry on top, [[spoiler:revealing Smaug was an ally of Sauron all along]].

* ''Film/MissionImpossible'': [[spoiler: Jim Phelps]] in the first movie. In the [[Series/MissionImpossible original series]], he was a major protagonist. [[spoiler:It seems almost like a deconstruction of what the movie ''thinks'' is the 'idea' of Jim Phelps. He's a Cold War agent who ran his own show, but when the conflict is over he finds himself in a low-paying job without a say in policy and a lousy marriage to a woman he doesn't love, so he throws his morals out the window by selling out his country to work for money. Ethan Hunt works as a reconstructed successor to the antiquated "old spy" Jim Phelps, reaffirming his loyalty to his country after they turn on him and ushering in a new era of espionage.]]

* ''Film/TheNorthman'': Unlike the legend of Amleth, [[spoiler:Gudrun encouraged Fjölnir's murder of Aurvandill]]. In addition, there's [[spoiler:Gudrun's claims about Aurvandill's own villainy, which Amleth was oblivious to and which is presented as true]], but this does in a way mirror the legend, as [[spoiler:Feng made false claims about Horvendill's mistreatment of Gerutha to justify his usurpation.]]

* ''Literature/TheServantsOfTwilight'': In the MadeForTVMovie adaptation of Creator/DeanKoontz's book, the PrivateDetective protagonist's friend/mentor Henry is revealed to be a member of the cult [[WouldHurtAChild trying to kill his client/]]LoveInterest[[WouldHurtAChild 's son]], whom the cultists believe to be TheAntichrist. The possibility of Henry being TheMole was discussed in the novel but was a RedHerring. Additionally, the end of the movie [[spoiler:reveals the boy ''is'' TheAntichrist, while the novel was ambiguous leaning towards "probably not, no point in worrying"; whether or not this negates the "villainy" of the first example is up to the viewer]].

** Moriarty, much like the [[Series/{{Sherlock}} 2010 TV show]] and other adaptations has his evilness dialled up to Hannibal Lecter-levels. While he was a criminal mastermind in the books, Arthur Conan Doyle painted Moriarty as a [[AffablyEvil geuinely polite]] villain who was a BenevolentBoss to his underlings. In the 2011 film, Moriarty is a FauxAffablyEvil sociopath who willingly targets Watson and Mary on their honeymoon even after Sherlock ''explicitly'' requested he keep them out of [[IAmYourOpponent their conflict]] - [[KickTheDog purely for spite's sake]]. Also while he does have VillainRespect for Holmes like the book, that doesn't stop him giving Sherlock ColdBloodedTorture while singing along to "Die Forelle" on a phonograph. He doesn't even have his literary countpart's care for his underlings [[spoiler: [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness poisoning Irene Adler for failing him]] in his first scene]]. Moriarty's plans likewise are more diabloic than the book where his schemes didn't extend beyond London, here he is trying to destabilize Europe's governments and instigate a world war.

* ''Film/StarTrekFirstContact'' would famously do this with the Borg. While highly destructive, frightening and one of the greatest threats in the Trek universe, the Borg aren’t necessarily completely evil and do have capacity for good. Episodes like “[[Recap/StarTrekTheNextGenerationS5E23IBorg I Borg]]” from ''Series/StarTrekTheNextGeneration'' and a lot of ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' stress that the Borg are not that different from all the rest of the races in the universe and can actually reform and help other cultures in decidedly non-antagonist roles. ''First Contact'' however empathises their villainous traits portraying the Borg as little more than AlwaysChaoticEvil robo space zombies, in addition to giving them a evil HiveQueen. Sadly due to the success of ''First Contact'', this more malevolent take on the Borg would become the norm and is folded into later instalments such ''Series/StarTrekPicard''.

* Turkish {{Mockbuster}} film ''Film/ThreeBigMen'', has ComicBook/CaptainAmerica and Wrestling/ElSanto [[CrossOver fighting together]] in order to stop the evil criminal mastermind ComicBook/SpiderMan. He is portrayed as a visibly overweight sadistic leader of a gang who delights in killing his enemies via boat propellers, switchblades, and bloodthirsty guinea pigs.

** Veruca Salt, like in the book, was an insufferable brat, but despite having a rich dad, she is willing give the Everlasting Gobstopper to [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Slugworth]] for ''more'' money. [[spoiler: This is what sets Charlie apart from her. Despite losing out on the chocolate he was promised by sneaking fizzy-lifting drinks, Charlie doesn't have it in his heart to cheat Wonka and gives back his Gobstopper]].

** Slugworth is only given a brief mention in the book as one of Wonka's candy making rivals. Here, he's portrayed as a CorruptCorporateExecutive who bribes the golden ticket finders with money and a better life in exchange for stealing an Everlasting Gobstopper from Wonka. [[spoiler: Ultimately subverted when "Slugworth" reveals himself to be an employee of Wonka who subjects the kids to the SecretTestOfCharacter]].

* In ''Film/TheWolfman1941'', Sir John Talbot, while he has a strained relationship with his son Lawrence, is [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone genuinely horrified and upset]] when he learns that the werewolf he killed in both self-defense and to protect Gwen was his son, and in sequels it's stated that the grief killed him. In [[Film/TheWolfMan2010 the 2010 remake]], Sir John [[spoiler: is a werewolf himself, was the wolf who infected his son, and in his backstory killed his wife while transformed. He then sent young Lawrence to [[BedlamHouse an asylum]] to force the memories out of him. Over the course of the film, he kills his other son Ben, murders his manservant whose weapons he sabotaged, and outright tries to murder Lawrence more than once with no hesitation or remorse.]]

** ''Film/XMenTheLastStand'': Comicbook/{{Psylocke}}, Quill, Spike, and ComicBook/MultipleMan are all associated with some branch of the ''Franchise/XMen'' franchise in the comics, but here, they all appear as members of ComicBook/{{Magneto}}'s Brotherhood of Mutants.[[note]][[OlderThanTheyThink Although in the]] [[ComicBook/UltimateXMen Ultimate Universe]], [[OlderThanTheyThink Multiple Man was a member of the Brotherhood of Mutants]].[[/note]]

** ''Film/XMenApocalypse'' sees ComicBook/{{Storm}}, [[ComicBook/WarrenWorthingtonIII Archangel]], Comicbook/{{Psylocke}} being among Comicbook/{{Apocalypse}}'s Horsemen of their own free will. And even ''before'' meeting Apocalypse, Archangel is depicted as a very vicious and cruel young man. Pyslocke is just as cruel and AxCrazy judging by the climax, showing none of the compassion or nobility of her comic counterpart. Storm still retains her better qualities, but she also stands by as Apocalypse kills thousands of innocent people in front of her, something comic Storm would never do.
** The D’bari gets in this ''Film/XMenDarkPhoenix'' in the comics they’re an innocent alien race that are decimated when ComicBook/JeanGrey destroys their solar system as [[SuperPoweredEvilSide Dark Phoenix]] during the ''ComicBook/TheDarkPhoenixSaga''. In the film the D’bari are tyrannical [[VoluntaryShapeshifter shapeshifting]] [[AliensAreBastards alien assholes]] who try to temp Jean into destroying the Earth and serve as the antagonists in the latter half of the film. This is likely as a result of the filmmakers [[CompositeCharacter compositing]] the D’bari with the Skrulls, whom Fox didn’t have the rights to.
*** Vuk, the D'bari leader, did actually do some evil in the comics, but instead through desperation, as his debut appearance saw him turn the Avengers to stone because ComicBook/SubMariner promised to help fix his ship if he did that, undoing their [[TakenForGranite petrification]] when ComicBook/CaptainAmerica convinced him the Avengers could help repair his ship instead, and becoming the LastOfHisKind when Dark Phoenix decimated his species later on, giving him understandable reasons to go after her. In the film, the [[GenderFlip gender-flipped]] Vuk manipulates Jean into becoming destructive, filling the role the Hellfire Club had in the original story.

* ''Film/{{Maleficent}}'': King Stefan in ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'' was a loving BumblingDad who was [[PapaWolf fiercely protective]] of Aurora. He is a ''much'' nastier character in ''Maleficent'', in which he is the BigBad of the movie. He betrays Maleficent and cuts off her wings to become king, provoking her into cursing Aurora, and becomes increasingly tyrannical, paranoid, and unstable throughout the film, showing little love to his wife and daughter. Also in the sequel, ''Film/MaleficentMistressOfEvil'' Gerda is the female version of Lord Duke that is evil and corrupt. As Queen Ingrith’s evil stewardess, she carries her evil deeds in playing a pipe organ that unleashes a red iron dust that kills almost all the magical creatures of the Moors and Flittle, except Knotgrass and Thistlewit.

* ''Film/{{Matilda}}'':
The school's cook. In the book, she disapproves of [[SadistTeacher Miss Trunchbull]]'s abuse, but is unable to do anything about it due to her old age. In the film, the cook appears to be in cahoots with Miss Trunchbull and happily supports her child mistreatment. Also, Matilda's brother Michael; while he's the favorite child of the Wormwoods in the book, he doesn't taunt Matilda himself to the extent [[BigBrotherBully the film version does]] and in fact rarely interacts with her at all.

* ''Film/{{Matilda}}'': The school's cook. In the book, she disapproves of [[SadistTeacher Miss Trunchbull]]'s abuse, but is unable to do anything about it due to her old age. In the film, the cook appears to be in cahoots with Miss Trunchbull and happily supports her child mistreatment. Also, Matilda's brother; while he's the favorite child of the Wormwoods in the book, he doesn't taunt Matilda himself to the extent [[BigBrotherBully the film version does]] and in fact rarely interacts with her at all.

* ''Film/TheBatman2022'' [[AdaptationAmalgamation takes some inspiration from]] ''ComicBook/BatmanEarthOne'' and ''VideoGame/BatmanTheTelltaleSeries'' with ComicBook/TheRiddler being an AxCrazy MadBomber and [[spoiler:Thomas Wayne being an accessory to murder]].

* ''Film/TheAddamsFamily'': In [[Series/TheAddamsFamily the original TV show]], The Addamses are a textbook example of DarkIsNotEvil, defined by their caring and generous nature, and they were repeatedly shown to be kind, welcoming, cheerful, and unfailingly polite to any strangers who happened upon their home even though most people kept their distance. In the movies they are closer to villains, having a bit of a misanthropic streak, being shown to be rather contemptuous of outsiders, and heavily hinted that [[BlueAndOrangeMorality they consider murder, torture, and cannibalism to be perfectly normal]].

** Downplayed but Irene Adler in the [[Film/SherlockHolmes first film]] and sequel (much like the 2010 show) is the direct subordinate (pretty much DarkMistress) of Moriarty. In the book "A Scandal in Bohemia", Irene's worst crime was withholding a incriminating picture of herself with the King of Bohemia but of which she has no intention of using, only keeping it as protection against him and overall she's more of a HeroAntagonist. In the films she commits (albeit half-heartedly) multiple crimes and acts of terrorism on Moriarty's orders. It's still downplayed though as Irene's DatingCatwoman relationship and alliance with Holmes helps redeem her, [[spoiler: although it does also get her killed by Moriarty in the second film.]]

* ''Film/{{Matilda}}'': The school's cook. In the book, she disapproves of [[SadistTeacher Miss Trunchbull]]'s abuse, but is unable to do anything about it due to her old age. In the film, the cook appears to be in cahoots with Miss Trunchbull and happily supports her child mistreatment.

* ''Film/DeathOnTheNile2022'': [[spoiler: Simon and Jacqueline the OutlawCouple killers would get hit with a good deal of this compared to the [[Literature/DeathOnTheNile book]] and [[Film/DeathOnTheNile1978 1978]] and [[Series/{{Poirot}} 2004]] adaptations. While they did murder RichBitch Linnet for her inheritance and in turn were forced to kill those who witnessed their crimes, they were still [[TragicVillain incredibly sympathetic]] being poor and in love and only wanting to have better lives for themselves and by the end they explictly [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone regreted]] their actions with Simon eventually confessing to killing Linnet. Poirot himself takes pity on them and allows Jackie to use the second pistol to kill Simon and herself so they can be TogetherInDeath and avoid being sentenced for thier crimes. In the 2022 film, since Linnet gets AdaptationalNiceGirl and AdaptationalSympathy, Jackie and Simon naturally get the inverse being more callous and psychotic, they even pull out guns when Poirot outs them as the murderers. It's strongly implied they were planning to kill Linnet before she even met Simon and fell for him, unlike the book where it was after the fact. Jackie in particular has her lowkey CuteAndPsycho traits dialled up as rather than just stabbing the maid Louise after she demanded money for her silence, Jacqueline slits her throat and actually ''[[DesecratingTheDead shoves]] her body in Karnak's paddlewheels''. Jackie's sweet moments (such as a friendship with Poirot) are downplayed or given to other characters entirely.]]

* ''Film/DeathOnTheNile2022'': [[spoiler: Simon and Jacqueline the OutlawCouple killers would get hit with a good deal of this compared to the [[Literature/DeathOnTheNile book]] and [[Film/DeathOnTheNile1978 1978]] and [[Series/{{Poirot}} 2004]] adaptations. While they they did murder RichBitch Linnet for her inheritance and in turn were forced to kill those who witnessed their crimes, they were still [[TragicVillain incredibly sympathetic]] being poor and in love and only wanting to have better lives for themselves and by the end they explictly [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone regreted]] their actions with Simon eventually confessing to killing Linnet. Poirot himself takes pity on them and allows Jackie to use the second pistol to kill Simon and herself so they can be TogetherInDeath and avoid being sentenced for thier crimes. In the 2022 film, since Linnet gets AdaptationalNiceGirl and AdaptationalSympathy, Jackie and Simon naturally get the inverse being more callous and psychotic, they even pull out guns when Poirot outs them as the murderers. It's strongly implied they were planning to kill Linnet before she even met Simon and fell for him, unlike the book where it was after the fact. Jackie in particular has her lowkey CuteAndPsycho traits dialled up as rather than just stabbing the maid Louise after she demanded money for her silence, Jacqueline slits her throat and actually ''[[DesecratingTheDead shoves]] her body in Karnak's paddlewheels''. Jackie's sweet moments (such as a friendship with Poirot) are downplayed or given to other characters entirely.]]

* ''Film/DeathOnTheNile2022'': [[spoiler: Simon and Jacqueline the OutlawCouple killers would get hit with a good deal of this compared to the [[Literature/DeathOnTheNile book]] and [[Film/DeathOnTheNile1978 1978]] and [[Series/{{Poirot}} 2004]] adaptations. While they they did murder RichBitch Linnet for her inheritance and in turn were forced to kill those who witnessed their crimes, they were still [[TragicVillain incredibly sympathetic]] being poor and in love and only wanting to have better lives for themselves and by the end they explictly [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone regreted]] their actions with Simon eventually confessing to killing Linnet. Poirot himself takes pity on them and allows Jackie to use the second pistol to kill Simon and herself so they can be TogetherInDeath and avoid being sentenced for thier crimes. In the 2022 film, since Linnet gets AdaptationalNiceGirl and AdaptationalSympathy, Jackie and Simon naturally get the inverse being more callous and psychotic, they even pull out guns when Poirot outs them as the murderers. It's strongly implied they were planning to kill Linnet before she even met Simon and feel for him, unlike the book where it was after the fact. Jackie in particular has her lowkey CuteAndPsycho traits dialled up as rather than just stabbing the maid Louise after she demanded money for her silence, Jacqueline slits her throat and actually ''[[DesecratingTheDead shoves]] her body in Karnak's paddlewheels''. Jackie's sweet moments (such as a friendship with Poirot) are downplayed or given to other characters entirely.]]

* ''Film/TransformersDarkOfTheMoon'': Sentinel Prime, in his earliest appearances in the ''[[ComicBook/TheTransformers Transformers]]'' comics, was Optimus Prime's predecessor as Autobot leader, and is usually depicted as a good guy. Here however, he is the BigBad and has no qualms about killing and enslaving humans to restore Cybertron. Granted, this isn't the [[WesternAnimation/TransformersAnimated first time]] Sentinel's actions were morally reprehensible, but this is the first time that he's depicted as an outright ''villain''. Though, there were plans that, in season 4 of ''Transformers Animated'', [[WhatCouldHaveBeen Sentinel would have taken a possibly much more antagonistic role.]]

*** ComicBook/AmandaWaller herself, in the comics she's a flawed and militant figure but she still does genuinely care about saving innocent lives and forming shady organisations like the ''ComicBook/SuicideSquad'' can be seen as an extreme case of GoodIsNotNice on her part. In the film any affable traits Waller has are removed, her GeneralRipper traits are dialled UpToEleven and she's willingly to personally gun down all her employees in cold blood so they don’t see classified information. Waller only gets worse in ''Film/TheSuicideSquad'' as she’s willingly to make sure Bloodsport’s teenager daughter will go to prison and die, just so he’ll be more willingly to go on the mission. [[spoiler: She’s also okay with letting thousands of innocent lives in Corto Maltese be killed by Starro and she attempts activate the squad’s [[ExplosiveLeesh explosives chips]] when they decide to disobey orders and [[BigDamnHeroes save the day]], only to be knocked unconscious by her staff who are sick of her awfulness.]]

* ''Film/{{Maleficent}}'': King Stefan in ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'' was a loving BumblingDad who was [[PapaWolf fiercely protective]] of Aurora. He is a ''much'' nastier character in ''Maleficent'', in which he is the BigBad of the movie. He betrays Maleficent and cuts off her wings to become king, provoking her into cursing Aurora, and becomes increasingly tyrannical, paranoid, and unstable throughout the film, showing little love to his wife and daughter. Also in the sequel, ''WesternAnimation/Maleficent:MistressofEvil'' Gerda is the female version of Lord Duke that is eveil and corrupt.

* ''Film/{{Maleficent}}'': King Stefan in ''WesternAnimation/SleepingBeauty'' was a loving BumblingDad who was [[PapaWolf fiercely protective]] of Aurora. He is a ''much'' nastier character in ''Maleficent'', in which he is the BigBad of the movie. He betrays Maleficent and cuts off her wings to become king, provoking her into cursing Aurora, and becomes increasingly tyrannical, paranoid, and unstable throughout the film, showing little love to his wife and daughter.

*** Smaug the Golden, while still a wicked and greedy dragon, is still far less vile than the other evil forces in Middle-earth like the Orcs and Sauron. In the movie, Smaug's evil traits are [[UpToEleven dialed up]] and it's clear he butchered the Dwarven race out of sadistic pleasure, not just for their treasure hoard. Additionally Smaug's attack on Lake Town in book was because he mistakenly thought Bilbo and the Dwarves were working for them (thanks to Bilbo calling himself "Barrel Rider"), meaning it was MisplacedRetribution more than anything else. In the movie Smaug sees firsthand that it's actually Thorin and the Dwarven company trying to kill him, but ForTheEvulz Smaug goes and attacks the unaware Lake Town anyway, just to [[KickTheDog spite]] them and Bilbo in particular. The [[ReCut Extended Edition]] of ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies'' puts the cherry on top, [[spoiler:revealing Smaug was an ally of Sauron all along]].

*** In the books, Saruman does not seek a sincere alliance with Sauron, merely to give the impression of one until he can take the One Ring for himself and then use it against Mordor. The films turn Saruman into a sincere ally of Sauron who has completely gone over to the latter's side.
*** Ugluk, Saruman's uruk-hai leader, while evil in the book as well, is shown to have a code of honor, believes himself to be heroic, and is very offended at the thought of eating orc flesh. In the movie adaptation, Ugluk's EvenEvilHasStandards moments are cut, as opposed to disdaining cannibalism, in the film Ugluk gleefully kills and eats one of his men.

*** ''Film/TheHobbitAnUnexpectedJourney'' The Great Goblin, only in comparison of his reasons for being a villain in both versions. The sole reason is his willingness to help kill Thorin for Azog even before the dwarves are caught in Goblintown, whereas in the book, he and the goblins believe the dwarves are spies and have come to attempt to destroy them. [[NiceJobBreakingItHero It doesn't help that Gandalf kills him in attempt to save the dwarves.]] Not to mention the goblins pursued Thorin's company to avenge their ruler, [[spoiler: and even worse, later in the book after the slaying of Smaug, the goblins believed the dwarves, elves, and men to be more of a threat with Smaug's treasure, regardless of the three armies not exactly willing to share the treasure.]] In the first film, Gandalf's killing of the Great Goblin is justified as Azog and his own orcs are pursuing the dwarves since the beginning, and instead of the Goblintown goblins following Thorin's company, Azog's orcs continue to follow. Additionally the Great Goblin valued goblin lives in the book, while in the movie version kills his own men ForTheEvulz.
*** Smaug the Dragon, while still a wicked and greedy Dragon is still far less vile than the other evil forces in Middle-earth like the Orcs and Sauron. In the movie, Smaug’s evil traits are [[UpToEleven dialled up]] and it’s clear he butchered the Dwarven race out of sadistic pleasure not just for their golden treasure horde. Additionally Smaug’s attack on Lake Town in book was because he mistakenly thought Bilbo and the Dwarves were working for them (thanks to Bilbo calling himself “Barrel Rider”) meaning it was MisplacedRetribution more than anything else. In the movie Smaug sees first hand that it’s actually Thorin and the Dwarven company trying to kill him, but ForTheEvulz Smaug goes and attacks the unaware Lake Town anyway, just to [[KickTheDog spite]] them and Bilbo in particular. The [[ReCut Extended Edition]] of ''Film/TheHobbitTheBattleOfTheFiveArmies'' puts the cherry on top [[spoiler: revealing Smaug was an ally of Sauron all along]].
*** In a similar case to Faramir above, Beorn, while not a villain by any means, is harsher and more menacing towards the dwarves than he was in the book, and is introduced attacking them in bear form. In the book, he's a generally more comical character and [[JerkWithAHeartOfGold ultimately reasonable]] after [[ScheherezadeGambit a bit of convincing]] from Gandalf. He's still AntiHero-ish and potentially dangerous - although mainly to goblins and Wargs.