DC and Marvel movies are now the most in-demand among the audience. Observing this hype the filmmakers, producers, and actors all want to grab on to this craze as it proved to be the most successful and profitable venture. Several actors have expressed their desire to work in a superhero franchise. Though being rivals, some actors have even been part of both the DC and Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Many actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Gal Gadot became hugely popular after starring in their respective superhero movies. Iron Man, marked Downey Jr.’s comeback, after his infamous drug abuse phase. While Gadot is now considered an A-list actor, rather than just eye-candy, after doing Wonder Woman. Therefore, it is a definite fact that superheroes are the most trending genre that is currently ruling the film industry, and everybody wants to be a part of it, be it DC, Marvel, or both.
Here’s listing some actors who have been a part of both DC and Marvel movies.
Willem Dafoe
The respected actor Willem Dafoe popularly known for his roles in The Lighthouse, The French Dispatch, At Eternity’s Gate, The Florida Project, and many more have been a part of both the DC and the Marvel cinematic universe. Before he took on the character of Vulko as Aquaman’s mentor and the chief counselor to the throne of Atlantis, he was known for playing the baddie, Green Goblin in Sam Raimi’s Spiderman.
He recently made his return in Spider-Man: No Way Home, along with Alfred Molina and Jamie Foxx, who were also reprising their previous roles from the franchise. Dafoe will now be seen in DC’s upcoming ‘Aquaman And The Lost Kingdom’.
Jared Leto
The Academy Award-winning actor started his journey in the superhero movie genre with DC’s Suicide Squad. Playing the Joker after Heath Ledger’s memorable performance in The Dark Knight, he had big shoes to fill. Known to be a method actor, he for Joker, totally transformed himself to look the part. His green hair and pale skin combined with the demonic smile made Joker look even more sinister. But after the release of the film, it got severe backlash, as people started comparing him to the previous depictions of the character, and felt that it all seemed over the top.
Later after the release of the Snyder Cut, many of the people agreed that he had the potential to make a good Joker, but for some reason, it didn’t work out. Now he is all set to come back as an anti-hero with Marvel’s Morbius. After this, we will get to see him in the Venom movies and the upcoming Kraven the Hunter.
Michael Keaton
Michael Keaton, created a buzz among the media when he finally confirmed his return as Batman in the upcoming DC film The Flash, which will center around the flashpoint paradox. He will be reprising his role from Tim Burton’s Batman, which came out in 1989. Seeing Keaton as Batman again is huge.
As his Batman pioneered the character in a much darker style, making him brooding and intense unlike Adam West or George Clooney, which were campier in their portrayal. For Marvel, he starred in Tom Holland’s Spiderman as the supervillain Vulture, and will probably be also seen in the upcoming film Morbius.
Ryan Reynolds
By far the best transition from DC to Marvel movies has been by the famous Ryan Reynolds. After the debacle of Green Lantern, Reynolds surely came back to the superhero genre with a bang. Starring as the witty and hilarious mercenary Deadpool, he instantly became the superhero sweetheart.
Even being an R-rated movie it made a huge profit in the box office and also was appreciated by the audience. His constant remarks on superhero movie tropes, breaking the fourth wall, the heavy usage of dark humor, blatant use of movie references and even joking about his previous role as the Green Lantern is what made the movie unique and so different from the usual superhero movies. It came as a breath of fresh air to every movie buff. Now we cannot imagine anyone else other than him playing Deadpool with such precision and humor.
Idris Elba
With James Gunn entering the DC cinematic universe after directing Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, he came along with a few actors, one of them being the incredible Idris Elba. According to his fans all over the world, Elba needed a much more striking appearance in a superhero film than just being a side actor. He played Heimdall in the three Thor movies and also made a few appearances in the Avengers movies as well. But none of it was standing out on its own.
So James Gunn roped him in for his new film The Suicide Squad. Elba was cast as Bloodsport which made a huge impact in the DC universe. The audience cherished his performance as a mercenary with a technologically advanced suit, with which he can create e weapons. Gunn described Bloodsport as an unsentimental portrayal of a 1960s action hero. It also shows his transformation from being a self-absorbed person to a true leader.
Zachary Levi
The most inspiring transition is definitely of the Chuck star Zachary Levi. Transitioning from a blink-and-miss character in MCU to the lead hero in DC, Levi proved that when one door closes, another one opens. The funny and charming Zachary Levi is now the star of DC’s Shazam playing the titular superhero.
People familiar with Chuck (TV Series) genuinely know how talented Levi is, as an actor. Bringing similar vibrant and cheerful liveliness, Levi has proved that he has more potential as a central character than just a sidekick. Before Shazam, he played Fandral in two Thor movies, which was far from a proper supporting role.
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