Actors Who Appeared In Both Marvel And DC Movies

Marvel and DC have been on the opposite sides of the superhero movie genre since time immemorial. The rivalry between these companies has transcended multiple forms of media, from comics to films. However, over the years, through multiple reboots of varied superhero films from both the studios, there has been one kind of overlap between Marvel and DC movies, and that is, the actors. One of the most important aspects of any movie is the actors who portray certain characters. Let us take a look at some of the actors who appeared in both Marvel and DC Movies.

Ryan Reynolds

The first person to come to mind when talking about actors who have starred in both Marvel and DC films is Ryan Reynolds. The Free Guy star played the titular role in the DC film, ‘Green Lantern’ (2011) years before he took on the role of the infamous anti-hero, Deadpool in Fox’s ‘Deadpool’ (2016).

Before, Reynolds became everyone’s favourite ‘Merc With A Mouth’, he had to deal with the failure of ‘Green Lantern’ (2011) at the box office. ‘Green Lantern’ (2011) was a huge flop, and Reynolds has not been shy of making fun of this failed project quite a few times, sometimes even taking shots at it as his fourth-wall-breaking character, Deadpool.

Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin has played the role of Thanos in multiple films under the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His first appearance as the intergalactic villain was in the film, ‘Avengers’ (2012). He also made an appearance in James Gunn’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ (2014).  It would be a few more years after this when Thanos would take his stand as the central villain of the ‘Infinity Saga’ in the films, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018) and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (2019).

Though before he became the formidable villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Josh Brolin’s first role was as the bounty hunter, and anti-hero Jonah Hex in the film ‘Jonah Hex’ (2010), which was based on the comics published by DC. The film was a flop at the box office.

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett starred in DC’s ‘Green Lantern’ (2011) alongside Ryan Reynolds as Dr. Amanda Waller. Dr. Waller is the director of the A.R.G.U.S. and was also responsible for the inception of Task Force X, better known as the Suicide Squad. Though when ‘Suicide Squad’ started production, Bassett did not reprise the role of Dr. Amanda Waller. The movie cast Viola Davis, instead.

Angela Bassett, in the meantime, took on the role of T’Challa’s (Black Panther) mother and the Queen Mother of the fictional nation, Wakanda, in the MCU film, ‘Black Panther’ (2018) directed by Ryan Coogler.

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck has been well-known for his portrayal of the billionaire vigilante, Batman in the DC film, ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’ which also starred Henry Cavil as Superman. Ben Affleck reprised his role in the theatrical as well as the Snyder Cut of ‘Justice League’, the former of which was released back in 2017, while the latter came out just last year in 2021.

However, before he became the protector of Gotham, Affleck played the role of another vigilante, who protected Hell’s Kitchen in the film ‘Daredevil’ (2003). Affleck was cast as the blind lawyer, Matt Murdock, who has the tendency to take law into his own hands as the Daredevil.

Christian Bale

Christian Bale starred also starred as the billionaire vigilante from Gotham City, Bruce Wayne, in the most successful reboot of the Batman films. Directed by and written by the legendary Christopher Nolan, the film accumulated a massive fan following and praise from critics. Along with Bale, the film cast was full of many talented actors like Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman and many more.

Now, after a considerable time, Christian Bare is all set to make his Marvel debut in the upcoming Thor film, ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’, in the role of Gorr. ‘Thor: Love and Thunder’ will be released on 8 July 2022.

Halle Berry

Halle Berry has been a part of the X-Men franchise for multiple movies, such as X-Men, X2: X-Men United and even X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men: Days of Future Past. Berry played the role of the mutant, Ororo Munroe, better known as her alias, Storm. Berry’s character, Storm, possesses the ability to control the weather and create storms, thus the name.

Halle Berry also took on the role of Patience Phillips for the film ‘Catwoman’ (2004), which focused solely on the titular character. The film, however, did not do great at the box office.

Michael Keaton

Michael Keaton’s portrayal of the brooding vigilante of Gotham is one of the most iconic of them all. Keaton began his DC journey in Tim Burton’s ‘Batman’ (1989). The film creates a nostalgic memory for many. It starred Jack Nicholson as the Joker.

Almost a decade later, Michael Keaton made his Marvel debut in the film, ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ directed by Jon Watts. Keaton played a much different role in this superhero film as Adrian Toomes, also known as the Vulture, who is the main villain. Keaton’s Vulture goes on to fight Tom Holland’s Spider-Man at the film’s climax.

Randall Park

Randall Park managed to win the audiences’ hearts as the dorky FBI agent Jimmy Woo in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’ (2018). Jimmy Woo oversees Scott Lang’s house arrest and also develops a friendship with him. Park reprised this role for the television series, ‘WandaVision’ (2021)

Between these, Randall Park also made an appearance in the DC film, ‘Aquaman’ (2018) as Dr. Stephen Shin, a marine biologist who develops an obsession with both Aquaman and Atlantis.

Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy played the role of the malicious villain, Bane in Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. Bane is an excellent strategist and has defeated Bruce Wayne’s Batman in combat.

As for Marvel, Tom Hardy was cast as the reckless journalist, Eddie Brock in the film, ‘Venom’ (2018). Due to accidental exposure to an alien parasite, Brock becomes the host for Venom and they form a symbiotic bond.

Willem Dafoe

Willem Dafoe’s performance as Norman Osborn in the original Sam Raimi’s trilogy of ‘Spider-Man’ is quite unforgettable. Even today, it is one of the best portrayals of the Green Goblin. Dafoe recently reprised the role of the iconic Spider-Man villain once again for the film, ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’.

Dafoe has also taken on the role of Vulko in the DC films ‘Aquaman’ (2018) and ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ (2021). Vulko is a trusted advisor to the throne of Atlantis.

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