Not everyone achieves fame through superhero movies. Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) turned unknown actors into stars, superhero movies were often seen as less glamorous. Actors like Thomas Jane, Brandon Routh, Michael Jai White, Ioan Gruffudd, Ray Stevenson, and Matt Salinger were chosen to portray superheroes. While some of them were already recognizable, many were on the cusp of stardom. As a result, the pre-MCU and DCEU superhero movies are filled with fascinating instances where famous actors took on roles that we may have forgotten about. Let’s explore some of the most unexpected examples.
1. Geoffrey Rush In ‘Green Lantern’
Tomar-Re, the CG alien teacher of Hal Jordan in the not-so-successful 2011 film Green Lantern, was brought to life by none other than Oscar-winning Shakespearean actor Geoffrey Rush. While he was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor that year for his role in The King’s Speech, he found himself in one of the most lackluster superhero movies ever made.
Surprisingly, Rush took on the role with a positive attitude. In an interview with Screen Rant, he mentioned how he had previously voiced an owl in Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole and a pelican in Finding Nemo. So, he wanted to raise the stakes by embodying the bird/fish/lizard-like character of Tomar-Re. However, after the film received both critical and commercial disappointment, it’s safe to assume that he may have toned down his initial excitement for the part.
2. Emily Deschanel In ‘Spider-Man 2’
Before landing her iconic role as Bones on Bones, Emily Deschanel had a small part as a receptionist in Spider-Man 2. In this scene, she appears when Peter exits a closet to deliver pizzas to an attorneys’ office. This Marvel movie stands out from Deschanel’s previous serious period piece appearances in Cold Mountain and The Alamo. It’s evident from her outfit and headset that the film is set in the 2004 era. As the receptionist, Deschanel’s role is simply to deadpan at Peter Parker’s lack of skill.
3. Will Arnett In ‘Jonah Hex’
Will Arnett, a highly accomplished actor with numerous credits under his belt, has unsurprisingly dabbled in the world of comic book adaptations throughout his illustrious career. Renowned for his comedic portrayal of the Dark Knight in three Lego films, Arnett also made an appearance as Lieutenant Grass in the 2010 DC Comics film, Jonah Hex.
Although Jonah Hex leans more towards being a comic book movie rather than a traditional superhero flick, it still manages to make its mark. In this Josh Brolin-led disaster, Arnett takes on a role that is far from his usual comedic repertoire. He portrays a Union soldier who enlists the help of the eponymous bounty hunter. Despite his attempt to embody seriousness, it’s difficult not to chuckle at Arnett’s performance – or even Jonah Hex as a whole. The movie can only be described as a certified joke.
4. Jason Isaacs In ‘Elektra’
Jason Isaacs, a well-known actor, had already established his fame through various notable films such as Dragonheart, Armageddon, The Patriot, Black Hawk Down, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Peter Pan. Surprisingly, he also made an appearance in the forgotten superhero film, Elektra, where he played a minor role and was uncredited.
It’s intriguing to ponder why Isaacs chose to take on this role. Although we haven’t discovered a definite answer, we stumbled upon an Instagram post where Isaacs referred to Elektra as “nobody’s finest hour.” However, he did admit to having “some fun minutes on the way.”
Despite his extensive resume filled with impressive projects, it seems that Isaacs had a brief but enjoyable experience working on Elektra. The reasons behind his decision to be part of the film remain a mystery.
5. Rebel Wilson In ‘Ghost Rider’
Did you know that the biggest rebel in Ghost Rider is actually Rebel Wilson? Yeah, Johnny Blaze may be a demon motorcyclist, but he gets overshadowed by Wilson’s character, a goth girl who gets saved by Ghost Rider. And let me tell you, her description of the encounter in a TV news interview is absolutely hilarious.
When Ghost Rider was first released in 2007, modern audiences had no idea who Rebel Wilson was. This cameo was one of her earliest appearances in a feature film, only her second one to be exact. It’s pretty cool to see how far she’s come since then.
6. Wayne Knight In ‘Punisher: War Zone’
In the movie Punisher: War Zone, there’s a dark Knight, but it’s definitely not Batman. Wayne Knight, who gained fame in the 1990s with his hilariously goofy roles in Seinfeld, Jurassic Park, and Space Jam, takes on the role of a weapons supplier in this ultra-violent R-rated Marvel film.
War Zone, which is a standalone sequel to the largely forgotten 2004 movie The Punisher, may not have received many praises, but it certainly provided Knight with an opportunity to shatter his stereotypical image. It’s time to meet the new man.
7. Jon Cryer In ‘Superman IV: The Quest for Peace’
Ever heard of Lenny Luthor? We didn’t think so. But we imagine you’ve heard of Jon Cryer, who played Lenny Luthor – unsurprisingly Lex Luthor’s nephew – in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
Back then, Jon was in his early 20s and must have been thrilled with the opportunity. Unfortunately, the movie didn’t do well at the box office, and poor Lenny Luthor was quickly forgotten. But don’t worry, Cryer got a chance at redemption later on.
In a stroke of luck, he was cast as good old Uncle Lex in Supergirl, a role that extended to the rest of the Arrowverse. Talk about turning things around!
8. Norman Reedus In ‘Blade II’
Eight years before becoming a heartthrob on The Walking Dead, Norman Reedus played a character named Scud in Blade II. Surprisingly, Scud is not a character from the Marvel comics, even though the movie itself is based on Marvel material. This means that Scud, the laid-back weaponsmith who starts off as Blade’s ally but later becomes his enemy, was brought to life solely for the film. Pretty cool, huh? It’s safe to say that Norman Reedus’s portrayal of Scud was quite the departure from his later fame on The Walking Dead. Take that, Hideo Kojima!
9. Kerry Washington In ‘Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer’
When you think of recurring Marvel actors, Kerry Washington is probably not the first person that comes to mind. In fact, she might not even come to mind at all. However, it’s worth noting that she did have a role in the Marvel universe. She played Alicia Masters, the love interest of Ben Grimm, in the 2005 film Fantastic Four and its 2007 sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.
It wasn’t until five years later that Washington gained mainstream fame with her roles in Scandal, where she portrayed the political fixer Olivia Pope, and Django Unchained, where she played Broomhilda, Django’s wife. These roles catapulted her into the spotlight and made her a household name in the 2010s.
It’s easy to forget that Washington had a successful career prior to her breakout roles. However, her involvement in the Fantastic Four films serves as a reminder that she has been a mainstay in the industry for longer than you might think.
10. Jack Gleeson In ‘Batman Begins’
Jack Gleeson, as a young kid, had his first taste of the film industry by appearing alongside the talented Christian Bale in the 2002 movie Reign of Fire. It’s quite remarkable that his next significant acting role also involved sharing the screen with Bale, but this time in a much more prestigious film.
In Batman Begins, Gleeson portrays a slightly older child who is rescued by Batman, played by Bale, from the clutches of Ra’s al Ghul’s henchmen. It’s worth noting that anyone who had seen Game of Thrones before watching Batman Begins would have been taken aback to witness a slightly younger and much kinder version of Joffrey Baratheon as a notable member of the cast.
11. Drew Barrymore In ‘Batman Forever’
Drew Barrymore, known for her success as a child star in the ’80s and her transition to adult roles in the ’90s, made an appearance in the 1995 film Batman Forever. Despite being overshadowed by the film’s eccentric cast, Barrymore took on the role of Sugar, Two-Face’s sweet assistant, alongside Debi Mazar’s Spice.
In her portrayal, Barrymore is dressed to impress, emphasizing the theme of “good vs. evil” that Two-Face embodies. While she does have a few memorable lines, her presence mainly serves as a symbol of the gradual shift from Tim Burton’s gothic style to Joel Schumacher’s more campy approach to the Batman series.
