Match The Actor To The Superhero Universe They Appeared In
- by Christian Bone
- – on
- in Movies and TV
Superhero movies have changed a lot over the decades, from the optimism of the Christopher Reeve Superman movies in the 1970s to the grittiness of the Christian Bale Batman films in the 2000s to the ambitious ongoing storytelling of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One thing has remained consistent, though: comic book films do big business at the box office.
As such, the genre is able to attract some of the best actors around. Just look at how Marlon Brando played Superman’s father Jor-El in Superman: The Movie. The upsides of being part of the genre are obvious: superhero movies pay well and they increase the fame of the actor to a huge degree. It’s no surprise, then, that many like to keep coming back for more. You’d be shocked by just how many actors have not only worked within one of the two big superhero universes - Marvel and DC - more than once, but have also appeared in both of them.
But do you know your superhero movie casts well enough to match the actor or actress to the superhero franchise that they appeared in? And here’s the extra twist: do you know which ones have appeared in both universes?
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds is practically a king of comic book movies as the Canadian actor has starred in so many entries in the genre across his career. He first dipped his toes into the superhero world in a supernatural sequel back in 2003 and has since followed it up with a handful more. One mega-hit franchise-starter, in particular, you will have heard of. But whose movies has he appeared in? Has he worked for both Marvel and DC, or just one of them?
Peter Dinklage
You may have already seen Peter Dinklage in a superhero movie as the lead villain of the piece, but word has it that he’s about to return to the genre. Though it hasn’t been officially confirmed, rumour has it that Dinklage is also appearing in an upcoming superhero movie that’s highly anticipated. We will tell you that this reported appearance would be in a different film series from the first, but does that mean that he’s crossing over from one superhero universe to the other?
Michael Keaton
At the beginning of his career, Michael Keaton was known for playing manic comedic roles, but he has shifted into a knack for more dramatic performances as time has gone on. In recent years, for example, he starred in the acclaimed Birdman, a vaguely autobiographical tale about a washed-up actor most known for playing a superhero. But what are Keaton’s own ties to the comic book movie genre? Has the star worked for Marvel, DC or maybe both of the juggernaut studios?
Halle Berry
Halle Berry has had her fair share of ups and downs in her career. Infamously, she won the Oscar for Best Actress thanks to her performance in Monster Ball one year but, in the very next year, won a Razzie Award for her leading turn in one reviled superhero movie that butchered a beloved character. Do you remember what this movie is and which franchise it was a part of? And has Berry made any other superhero movies as part of a different universe?
Kurt Russell
Snake Plissken himself, Kurt Russell has been in more than one superhero project this century. For one, he starred in Disney’s underrated superhero/high school comedy movie Sky High. As for the big two comics franchises, he’s also appeared in at least one of those too, as a powerful character with close ties to the film’s protagonist. Do you know the career of the Escape from New York actor well enough to remember whether we’re talking about a Marvel or a DC appearance?
Karen Gillan
Scottish actress Karen Gillan made her name thanks to her role as the Doctor’s companion Amy Pond on Doctor Who from 2010-2013. Since then, her career has gone from strength to strength. Recently, for example, she starred in the belated sequel Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Gillan has also managed to nail a major role in at least one of the two major superhero movie universes. If you don’t recognise her face, though, there may be a reason for that.
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck has been a major movie star for years now, so it’s no surprise that he’s found himself in the superhero blockbuster world on occasion. You most probably know that the Argo star is currently playing a very famous superhero in an ongoing franchise (though rumours state he might be vacating the role soon). But which comic book universe does his hero hail from? And has he played any other superhero movie roles in the past? If so, what universe were they in?
Jai Courtney
Jai Courtney has a bit of mixed reputation, as he has often found himself in some not very good movies. For instance, the Divergent series and Terminator: Genysis. Unfortunately, his turn in a superhero film didn’t really change that as it happened to be one that wasn’t that well received, though Courtney himself was actually one of the more memorable characters in the ensemble cast. But was this a Marvel or a DC movie and has he made any other comic book film appearances?
Taika Waititi
New Zealander Taika Waititi has garnered acclaim and a loyal fanbase thanks to his brilliant directing efforts and his own acting talent. You might have seen him in the hilarious vampire mockumentary What We Do In The Shadows or caught his comedy-drama Hunt for the Wilderpeople. Though the indie filmmaker isn’t the first person you would associate with superhero blockbusters, he does have history with the world of comic book movies. Has he been in a Marvel movie, a DC one or maybe even both?
Laurence Fishburne
Laurence Fishburne is known the world over as Morpheus from The Matrix movies, but he’s had an illustrious, varied career away from the sci-fi franchise as well. He’s also a self-confessed comic book nerd and hasn’t shied away from roles in the superhero world. We’ll be on the level here and tell you that Fishburne has appeared in more than one comic book movie role, both in live-action and via voiceover performance. But has he worked for Marvel, DC or both?
Josh Brolin
Here’s a fun fact: Josh Brolin was one of director Zack Snyder’s first choices to play the titular Dark Knight in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While that job obviously fell through, Brolin did manage to star in at least one more superhero film role. But can you tell us if Brolin has worked for DC at another time, or whether he has featured in a Marvel movie, or potentially several, instead? Or has he even appeared in both?
James Marsden
James Marsden is one of the actors that you probably know the face of but might not necessaries be able to name. He appears in supporting roles in a wide range of projects, from Disney’s Enchanted to hit HBO TV show Westworld. But let’s focus on his superhero movie work for now. Where have you seen Marsden’s face in the comic book world? Was it in a Marvel movie (or maybe even multiple movies) or was it in a DC effort?
Nicole Kidman
Here are the facts: as of 2018, Nicole Kidman will have appeared in two superhero movies. Your mission is to deduce whether these two movies traverse both Marvel or DC or whether they were both based on the same universe of comics. Your clues are these: in her first superhero appearance Kidman played the hero’s love interest and in her upcoming second role she will be playing the parent of a different hero. Don’t kid about: has Nicole Kidman worked for Marvel, DC or both?
Tommy Lee Jones
Tommy Lee Jones has been met with both critical - he won a Supporting Actor Oscar for The Fugitive - and commercial success - starring opposite Will Smith in the Men in Black movies. You might not know, then, that the actor has at least one superhero movie role hidden in amongst his filmography. No, he didn’t play a superhero himself, but he played a pretty famous character all the same. But is this Jones’ only comic book film role?
Zachary Levi
Zachary Levi is something of a geek icon thanks to his breakout role as the title character in cult TV series Chuck. So it’s only natural that he’s racked a fair few superhero-related roles. At the time of writing, he’s appeared in two movies in the genre in a supporting part. However, he has just been announced to be playing his very own superhero in an upcoming comic book film. But does this news mean that he’s now worked for both franchises or not?
Keanu Reeves
The second actor from The Matrix on our list is the Chosen One himself Keanu Reeves, most known for playing Neo in the Wachowskis' sci-fi phenomenon. Not that this is the be-all and end-all of his career, though, as Reeves has been entertaining audiences from 1989's Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure all the way to the contemporary John Wick franchise. But did you know Reeves also has history with the comic book film genre? Has he appeared in a Marvel or a DC film? The red pill or the blue pill, if you like.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Aaron Taylor-Johnson first appeared in the superhero world in 2010’s irreverent hit Kick-Ass (as well as its much less good sequel released in 2013). This was based on a series from Icon Comics, but since then Taylor-Johnson has featured in at least one production from either Marvel or DC as well. And that’s not even mentioning the fact that he was in the running to play Cyclops in the X-Men franchise. But is the actor a Marvel or a DC guy?
Robin Wright
Robin Wright has had an illustrious career since she got her big break in The Princess Bride back in 1987. While she’s currently wowing Netflix viewers in House of Cards, she has also made her superhero movie debut in the past few years. She has actually already notched up two appearances in the genre and could well have more to come. But did she stick with the same comic book franchise for those two movie roles? If so, which one?
Jeff Goldblum
Jeff Goldblum was arguably one of the biggest stars in Hollywood back in the 1990s, thanks to beloved and acclaimed roles in the likes of Jurassic Park, Independence Day, and The Fly. Though he disappeared from the limelight for a while in the 2000s, it looks like Goldblum is undergoing something of a career renaissance right now. As part of this, he's started appearing in superhero movies. But are we talking Marvel or DC movies? Or maybe even both? You decide.
Jennifer Garner
Jennifer Garner made her name in J. J. Abrams’ spy TV series Alias, so it’s no surprise that she transferred her action heroine chops into the comic book movie world back in the early 2000s. Garner actually appeared in two superhero movies around this period, one in a supporting capacity and one as a lead (in a rare female-led comic book film). But were they both part of the same franchise or did Garner cross the divide between Marvel and DC?
Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey’s most famous performances hail from comedies like Ace Ventura and Dumb and Dumber, but he’s also far from a stranger to the superhero world. One of the movies that made his name was The Mask, based on the Dark Horse Comics series. He also appeared in Kick-Ass 2, inspired by the Icon Comics books. When it comes to Marvel and DC, though, Carrey has starred in at least one of the universes as one of the most famous supervillains around.
Tilda Swinton
Acclaimed actress Tilda Swinton has an androgynous quality to her looks that allows her to play a wide range of characters, often ethereal, otherworldly types. This is something that has made her a natural choice to appear in the sci-fi/fantasy world of superhero fiction. In particular, Swinton has starred in two comic book films to date. What we want to know is whether these were both for either Marvel or DC or if Swinton has been a part of both competing franchises.
Amber Heard
Amber Heard has featured in a few cult movies over time - e.g. Zombieland - and she’s also part of a comic book franchise. Here’s a clue, we’ve seen a little bit of her in her superhero role so far, but she will get a full debut in that part when a new movie comes out at some point this year. But what character are we talking about? Have you heard that Heard is a Marvel actress, a DC star or maybe even both?
Natalie Dormer
Most known for playing Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones, Natalie Dormer is just the sort of actress with a devoted fanbase who would be a great pick to play a superheroine in either a Marvel or DC movie. Though she hasn’t had a leading role in a comic book film as yet, Dormer has graced the genre in at least one minor supporting role. But are you enough of a fan of the actress to recall if she is a Marvel or DC star? Or both?
Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner was a big star in the early 1990s, thanks to leading parts in everything from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves to Dances With Wolves. Fast forward to the 2010s, however, and he’s not so big a star anymore. However, his presence still lifts up the cast of a superhero movie and the actor has appeared in two comic book films to date in supporting roles. But were these roles part of the same franchise? If so, was this franchise Marvel or DC?
Nicolas Cage
Nicolas Cage is a huge superhero geek. His stage surname is borrowed from Marvel hero Luke Cage and his son is called Kal-El, after Superman’s Kryptonian birth name. It’s no surprise, then, that Cage has appeared in comic book movies. Once upon a time, he almost played the Man of Steel himself in the ultimately abandoned Superman Lives. After that fell through, he played another - less well-known - hero in a couple of fairly disappointing movies. Were these for Marvel or DC?
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s most identifiable role has to be his turn as the evil Negan on TV’s The Walking Dead. Before he was hanging around with zombies, though, Morgan was starring in superhero movies. Specifically, Morgan has actually starred in three comic book films to date. Two of them are pretty well known films, while the other is a bit more niche. That’s all you’re getting out of us, though. Is Morgan a Marvel or a DC actor, or both?
Sam Rockwell
Sam Rockwell is one of those underrated actors who does a lot of great work and is respected in the industry, but doesn’t often get the credit he deserves from audiences. In particular, sci-fi fans have much to thank him for as he’s brilliant in the likes of Galaxy Quest, The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and Moon. But where would superhero lovers know Rockwell from as well? Is he a Marvel man or a DC dude? Or maybe he’s even both?
Hugo Weaving
The third star of The Matrix movies on our quiz is Hugo Weaving. The Austrailian thespian is probably best known to audiences thanks to his role as Elron, the elf leader in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and the more recent The Hobbit prequel films. Superhero lovers will also have seen him around, however, though his voice might be more familiar than his face. That’s the only clue you’re getting. Is that enough to remind you whether Weaving appeared in a Marvel movie a DC movie or both?
Samuel L. Jackson
Who doesn’t love Samuel L. Jackson? From his many movies with Quentin Tarantino to his role as Mace Windu in Star Wars, he’s amassed a fanbase of lovers from all corners of cinema. Superhero fans, in particular, will love him. Even without touching on Marvel and DC, he’s appeared as Mr Glass in M. Night Shyamalan’s brilliant Unbreakable and he’s the one and only Frozone in Pixar’s The Incredibles. But has he appeared in Marvel or DC movies as well?
Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender is probably one of the finest actors of his generation, but unfortunately he’s not immune to making bad career choices now and then. In 2017, for instance, he starred in The Snowman, which was so bad it quickly spawned many a meme. One of these misfires is a role in a comic book movie that has gone down as one of the worst ever made. But is this his only superhero role? Has Fassbender played both sides of the Marvel/DC divide?
John Travolta
John Travolta has been a star for decades, going right back to Grease and including the likes of Pulp Fiction and Face/Off along the way. Not every movie has has made has been a hit, though. For instance, Travolta is no stranger to the superhero world, but his efforts probably aren’t known to a wider audience, outside of devoted comic book movie viewers. Are you one of these devoted viewers? Can you remember if Travolta is an alum of a DC movie or a Marvel one?
Joe Manganiello
You might have seen (a lot) of Joe Manganiello in the Magic Mike films, but he’s most known to geeky audiences for his dip in the superhero world. Here’s a clue: he’s played at least one villain in a comic book movie. His part wasn’t the biggest, but it was a very significant one. Or maybe it was two? Tell us, has Joe Manganiello appeared in a Marvel movie or a DC movie? Or has he managed to notch up both franchises?
Tim Robbins
Tim Robbins is probably best known for his starring role in the Oscar-winning The Shawshank Redemption opposite Morgan Freeman. What you might not know, however, is that the actor is no stranger to the world of superheroes either. No, Robbins has never donned any capes and tights himself, but we will tell you that he’s appeared in a supporting role in at least one modern superhero movie. But did he appear in the Marvel universe, the DC universe or possibly even both?
Matt Damon
Jason Bourne himself, Matt Damon has had an incredibly successful career in Hollywood over the past couple of decades, so his is not a name that is usually linked to the superhero world. Nevertheless, the Hollywood star has appeared in at least one comic book movie. We will tell you that he hasn’t had a starring role in such a film, but he has definitely appeared in that genre. But is it just the once? Or was it at least twice?