Crossing Over: Actors Who Have Portrayed Characters in Both DC and Marvel Cinematic Universes
When it comes to the world of superhero films, many actors have the unique opportunity to portray characters from multiple comic universes, bridging the divide between the DC and Marvel cinematic worlds. While Ryan Reynolds is perhaps the most recognized for his roles in both universes, several other talented actors have also successfully crossed the lines between these blockbuster franchises.
Notable Examples of Crossover Actors
Some prominent actors who have appeared in both DC and Marvel movies include:
Ben Affleck
- Daredevil (Marvel)
- Batman (DC Extended Universe, DCEU)
J.K. Simmons
- J. Jonah Jameson (Marvel)
- Commissioner Gordon (DC Extended Universe, DCEU)
Below is a comprehensive list of actors who have performed dual roles in both DC and Marvel worlds.
More Actor Crossovers
Let's explore some other notable actors who have leaped between the realms of DC and Marvel:
Tommy Lee Jones- Colonel Chester Philips (Marvel’s Captain America: The First Avenger)
- Two Face/Harvey Dent (DC’s Batman Forever) Morena Baccarin
- Venessa (Marvel’s Deadpool)
- Leslie Thompkins (DCEU’s Gotham TV series) James Marsden
- Cyclops (Marvel’s X-Men franchise)
- Richard White (DCEU’s Superman Returns) Halle Berry
- Storm (Marvel’s X-Men franchise)
- Catwoman/Selina Kyle (DC’s Catwoman movie) Laurence Fishburne
- Silver Surfer (Marvel’s Man of Steel)
- Perry White (DCEU’s Man of Steel) Josh Brolin
- Thanos (Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers series)
- Jonah Hex (DCEU’s Batman movies) Michael Clarke Duncan
- Kingpin/Wilson Fisk (Marvel’s Ben Affleck’s Daredevil)
- Kilowog (DCEU’s Green Lantern series) Djimon Hounsou
- Korath (DCEU’s Guardians of the Galaxy)
- Midnight (Marvel’s Constantine) Tao Okamoto
- Mariko (Marvel’s The Wolverine 2)
- Katana (DCEU’s Arrow TV series) Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje
- Algrim (Marvel’s Thor - The Dark World)
- Killer Croc (DCEU’s Suicide Squad) Tim Robbins
- Phil Blumburtt (DCEU’s Howard the Duck)
- Robert Hammond (DCEU’s Green Lantern) Ayelet Zurer
- Lara Lor-Van (DCEU’s Man of Steel)
- Venessa (DCEU’s Daredevil TV series, plays the role of Lex Luthor’s assistant)
Future Crossovers
In the near future, there are even more actors who are set to bridge the gap between DC and Marvel:
John Krasinski - Jimmy Jacobs (Marvel’s Spider-Man: Homecoming) - Jim Gordon/Commissioner Gordon (DCEU’s Justice League) Hugh Jackman - X-Men: Wolverine (Marvel’s X-Men series) - Bruce Wayne/Batman (expected DCEU role)An Interesting Flawed Alternative
It's worth noting that at one point, actor Nicholas Cage was entangled in a curious scenario:
Nicholas Cage was close to securing the role of Superman for DC Films but eventually got the role of Johnny Blaze, aka Ghost Rider, for Marvel. Fans often debate whether he would have been a better Superman than the numerous actors who took on the role.
Conclusion
The crossover phenomenon in superhero films continues to captivate audiences, proving that the lines between DC and Marvel can often be blurred. Whether it's a cross-overs. or solo runs, the talent involved in these roles adds a new layer of excitement to the blockbuster universe. As the film industry evolves, we can expect more of these interesting dual performances in the near future.