Comic book movies are filled with larger-than-life figures duking it out in epic fashion. But between the blows, there is always an opportunity for characters to ruminate on their superhuman deeds, whether it’s a rousing, heroic speech or a “this was my plan all along” villain monologue.
If your auditions need a little saving, we’ve got you covered. Here are 10 monologues from comic book movies and TV shows to make your self-tapes soar. (If you’re looking for monologues exclusively from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, head here!)
“Spider-Man 2” (2004): Aunt May on why we need heroes
Uncle Ben’s “with great power comes great responsibility” advice may have inspired Peter Parker to become Spider-Man, but when he quits the heroics in Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man 2,” it’s Aunt May who gets him back to web-slinging. It’s one of the best superhero speeches despite not being grandiose—it’s just pure empathy and compassion. This monologue is great for anyone auditioning for kind-hearted characters who want to let someone else know everything will be all right.
He knows a hero when he sees one. Too few characters out there, flying around like that, saving old girls like me. And Lord knows, kids like Henry need a hero. Courageous, self-sacrificing people setting examples for all of us. Everybody loves a hero. People line up for them, cheer them, scream their names. And years later, they'll tell how they stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of the one who taught them how to hold on a second longer. I believe there’s a hero in all of us, that keeps us honest, gives us strength, makes us noble, and finally allows us to die with pride—even though sometimes we have to be steady and give up the thing we want the most. Even our dreams.
“Justice League Unlimited” (2004–2006): Green Arrow on rallying the Justice League
What can you say when the most powerful being wants to throw in the towel? The “Justice League Unlimited” episode titled “Divided We Fall” sees Superman wanting to disband the Justice League. And it’s Green Arrow—someone without real superpowers—who convinces him to stay in the fight. Green Arrow’s rallying cry emphasizes that even though heroes can make mistakes, that doesn’t mean they should quit. For auditioners, this monologue should have the vibe of a coach rallying the team at halftime in a sports movie. It’s your chance to get on a soapbox and demonstrate your passion.
You remember what we did yesterday? We saved the world—again. You don’t think that has any value? Well, think again, pal. The Justice League goes on, with or without you. Look, nobody can question your service or commitment to making things better. If you’re quitting because you think you’ve already done your fair share, we’ll throw you a parade. But if you’re quitting because it’s easier than continuing the fight, then you’re not the heroes we all thought you were. The world needs the Justice League—and the Justice League needs you, Superman.
“The Dark Knight” (2008): Joker on his scars
In Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight,” Heath Ledger’s Joker spends a good amount of time monologuing about his twisted worldview. Nowhere is his philosophy more readily apparent than his first (of several) explanation for his facial scars. Is the story true? That’s not really the point. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase your menace. If it’s a self-tape, feel free to get up close and personal.
You wanna know how I got these scars? My father was a drinker and a fiend. And one night, he goes off crazier than usual. Mommy gets the kitchen knife to defend herself. He doesn’t like that. Not. One. Bit. So, me watching, he takes the knife to her, laughing while he does it. He turns to me and says, “Why so serious?” Comes at me with the knife. “Why so serious?” He sticks the blade in my mouth. “Let’s put a smile on that face.” And…why so serious?
“Watchmen” (2009): Rorschach on his uncompromising views
Some comic book movie monologues inspire. Others terrify. And then there are those that let you know you’re on your own. Rorschach’s opening proclamation from Zack Snyder’s “Watchmen” adaptation is chilling in its straightforwardness. Famously delivered in intimidating monotone, you should nevertheless instill a life’s worth of anger and trauma into these words. Build and build, and then play around with all the ways you can add depth to that final, definitive “no.”
Rorschach’s journal. October 12, 1985. Dog carcass in alley this morning, tire tread on burst stomach. This city is afraid of me. I have seen its true face. The streets are extended gutters and the gutters are full of blood and when the drains finally scab over, all the vermin will drown. The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, “Save us!” And I’ll whisper, no.
“X-Men: Days of Future Past” (2014): Professor X on needing to hope
Sometimes heroes need a pep talk. In Bryan Singer’s “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” Charles Xavier does just that—to a young version of himself. It may read hokey on the page, but lean in with 100% sincerity. It may help to imagine how far you’ve come, and then deliver this monologue to your younger self.
Just because someone stumbles, loses their way, it doesn’t mean they’re lost forever. Sometimes we all need a little help. It’s not their pain you’re afraid of. It’s yours, Charles. And as frightening as it can be, that pain will make you stronger. If you allow yourself to feel it, embrace it, it will make you more powerful than you ever imagined. It’s the greatest gift we have: to bear their pain without breaking. And it comes from the most human part of us: hope. Charles, we need you to hope again.
“Daredevil” (2015–2018): Kingpin on accepting his true nature
A great villain is the hero of his own story. Kingpin’s monologue in the Season 1 finale of Netflix’s “Daredevil” sees him reckon with that idea, telling the biblical story of the Good Samaritan before admitting that the righteous character is not the one he empathizes with. Vincent D’Onofrio is scariest in this role when he’s at his calmest. Don’t be afraid to go subtle here, and let the villainy simmer under the surface.
I was thinking about a story from the Bible. I’m not a religious man, but I’ve read bits and pieces over the years. Curiosity more than faith. But this one story... There was a man, he was traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho when he was set upon by men of ill intent. They stripped the traveler of his clothes, they beat him, and they left him bleeding in the dirt. And a priest happened by, saw the traveler, but he moved to the other side of the road and continued on. And a Levite, a religious functionary, he came to the place, saw the dying traveler, but he, too, moved to the other side of the road. Passed him by. But then came a man from Samaria, a Samaritan, a good man. He saw the traveler bleeding in the road and he stopped to aid him without thinking of the circumstance or the difficulty it might bring him.
The Samaritan tended to the traveler’s wounds, applying oil and wine, and he carried him to an inn, gave him all the money he had for the owner to take care of the traveler, as the Samaritan, he continued on his journey. He did this simply because the traveler was his neighbor. He loved his city and all the people in it. I always thought I was the Samaritan in that story. It’s funny, isn’t it? How even the best of men can be deceived by their true nature. It means that I am not the Samaritan. That I’m not the priest, or the Levite. That I am the ill intent who set upon the traveler on a road that he should not have been on.
“The Killing Joke” (2016): Joker on having one bad day
Given his rich history and popularity, you could probably make an entire list of Joker monologues. But this one from Sam Liu’s animated adaption of Alan Moore’s “The Killing Joke” truly gets at the twisted heart of the character. Joker believes he’s won, and he just needs to convince Batman that his worldview—that the world is one sick joke—is correct. Because the whole point is unpredictability, there are endless ways to play this, from delivery and emphasis to when you want to be subtle and when you want to fully let loose.
Let me ask you something: What does it matter if you send me back to the asylum if it doesn’t matter to me. I’ve proven my point. Gordon’s been driven mad. I’ve demonstrated there’s no difference between me and everyone else. All it takes is one bad day. That’s how far the world is from where I am—just one bad day. You had a bad day once, am I right? I know I am. I can tell. You had a bad day, and everything changed. Dressing up like a flying rat doesn’t hide it. It screams it! You had a bad day, and it drove you as crazy as everybody else, only you won’t admit it. You had to keep pretending that life makes sense, that there’s some point to all this struggling. You make me want to puke. I mean, what is it with you? What made you what you are? Girlfriend killed by the mob, maybe? Brother carved up by some mugger? Something like that, I know. Because something like that happened to me.
Sometimes I remember it one way. Sometimes another. If I’m going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice. My point is, I went crazy. And I’m smart enough to admit it. Why can’t you? By clinging to reality, you’re denying the reality of the situation. I mean, do you ever think about how many times we’ve come close to World War 3 over a flock of geese on a computer screen? Silly goose, it’s all a joke! Everything anybody ever valued or struggled for, it’s monstrous! Why can’t you see the funny side? Why aren’t you laughing?
“Invincible” (2021–present): Conquest on his only mission
There’s something truly unnerving about seeing a psychopath bear his soul. Conquest has beaten Invincible to within an inch of his life, and takes that moment to reveal how lonely he is. This isn’t your typical bombastic villain monologue. The pain here is real, and the listener should genuinely feel for you—but also never forget they’re terrified of you too.
I am so lonely. All the other Viltrumites are scared of me. No one talks to me. No one wants to be my friend. They think I am unstable. They send me from planet to planet committing atrocities in their name. And as I get better at it, they fear me more and more. I am a victim of my own success. “Conquest.” I don’t even get a real name. Only a purpose. I am capable of so much more and no one sees it. Some days I feel so alone I could cry, but I don’t. I never do. Because what would be the point? Not a single person in the entire universe would care. Take it to your grave.
“The Batman” (2022): The Riddler on how he and Batman aren’t so different
Villains are often reflections of the heroes they battle. This monologue from the Riddler in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” showcases that idea wonderfully. Bruce Wayne is driven by the fact that he was orphaned as a child, but so is the Riddler—just under wildly different circumstances. Use any real frustration you may have here, especially a desire just to be heard.
You know, I was there that day. The day the great Thomas Wayne announced he was running for mayor, made all those promises. Well, a week later he was dead, and everybody just forgot about us. All they could talk about was poor Bruce Wayne. Bruce Wayne, the orphan. Orphan. Living in some tower over the park isn’t being an orphan. Looking down on everyone, with all that money. Don’t you tell me. Do you know what being an orphan is? It’s 30 kids to a room. 12 years old and already a drophead, numbing the pain. You wake up screaming with rats chewing your fingers. And every winter, one of the babies dies because it’s so cold. But, oh, no. Let’s talk about the billionaire with the lying, dead daddy, because at least the money makes it go down easy.
“X-Men ’97” (2024–present): Magneto on keeping his promise—for now
Magneto’s impassioned plea from the “X-Men ’97” episode “Mutant Liberation Begins” is an impactful way to show off your range. The moment lives in the gray area between right and wrong, with Magneto warning humanity to let mutants live in peace or face his wrath. It’s essentially an appeal to protect marginalized communities with a violent, unspoken context beneath it. Play both sides of that complex situation at once and your performance will soar.
Bigot, ingrate, sycophant, worm. So small, I could smite you with a step. There was a time I would smite you all for what was done to Storm. But today, I have saved you from your own, for an old friend has challenged me to remember this view of Earth. How vast it is versus how small we make it. Charles Xavier entrusted me with his dream, and it does not ask you to love or embrace my kind as your own, but merely to accept that this is a shared world with a common future, and that my kind, like yours, have the right to live in it. I am trying to be better. Do not make me let you down.