Since the MCU and World of DC were created, they have been in competition with one another and actors are under strict rules to not star in any content with their competitors. Once they sign with Marvel or DC, they are contracted to that Universe only.
Before there was ever an MCU or World of DC though, DC and Marvel were creating content based off all our favorite comic book characters. Many big-time actors were chosen to star in these movies, sometimes the same actors for different roles. Sometimes they would go from villain to superhero, or vice versa, and sometimes they would go from a supporting role to a lead. There were no boundaries for them, they just went where the paychecks were.
Here are 20 actors who played roles in both DC and Marvel films.
20 Tommy Lee Jones (Colonel Chester Phillips In Captain America: The First Avenger & Two-Face In Batman Forever)
Tommy Lee Jones is an actor who does better at roles where he gets to yell and boss people around.
According to screencrush.com, Tommy played one of Batman’s arch nemesis, Two-Face in Batman Forever. His portrayal of the villain was a bit over-the-top and ridiculous. Years later, he was chosen for the role as Colonel Chester Phillips in Captain America: The First Avenger, a role that made for him.
19 Michelle Pfeiffer (Catwoman In Batman Returns & Janet Van Dyne In Ant-Man And The Wasp)
Michelle Pfeiffer has starred in two comic book films.
According to screencrush.com, her first role came in the Tim Burton film Batman Returns as the thief Catwoman. Her second appearance was as Janet Van Dyne in the movie Ant-Man and the Wasp, a role that some say was better than her Catwoman role.
18 Taika Waititi (Korg In Thor: Ragnarok & Tom In Green Lantern)
A few years back, Taika Waititi starred as Hal Jordan’s friend Tom in the Green Lantern flop.
According to screencrush.com, Taika was the director in charge of the Thor: Ragnarok movie. He also starred as the big pile of rocks known as Korg, who was a huge comical relief in a film that was already full of hilarious moments.
17 Zachary Levi (Fandral In Thor: The Dark World & Thor: Ragnarok & Shazam In Shazam)
Many don’t know this, but Zachary Levi was actually in Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok as the good looking Fandral. After his role ended, he decided to take up a new role, on the DC side.
According to cbr.com, Levi has is now the lead in Shazam! Big step up and it looks like he had a lot more fun with this role.
16 Michael Fassbender (Magneto In X-Men & Burke In Jonah Hex)
Michael Fassbender is a talented actor who got sattled with a sinking ship when he was casted for the role of Burke in Jonah Hex.
According to screencrush.com, he was able to make up for it though as the younger version of Magneto in the new X-Men film series, a role that he has truly brought to life.
15 Hugo Weaving (Red Skull In Captain America & V In V For Vendetta)
There is no denying that Hugo Weaving played his role of Red Skull incredibly. It was actually sad when he didn’t reprise the role in Avengers: Infinity War.
According to cbr.com though, his role as V in V for Vendetta was magical. Having his face covered for most of the movie and having to rely solely on physicality instead of facial expressions, it’s not an easy task.
14 Michael Keaton (Batman In Batman & Adrian Toomes In Spiderman: Homecoming)
For years, Michael Keaton was known for two roles, Beetlejuice and Batman.
According to screencrush.com, although there was quite a lot of hate at first when he was cast as Batman, it all changed when he proved to the world that he was made for the role. However, his role as Adrian Toomes in Spider-Man: Homecoming was a thing of beauty and some even say better than Batman.
13 Idris Elba (Heimdall In Thor & Roque In The Losers)
Idris Elba has starred in five different MCU films, but the roles were so meniscal, that it was kind of a waste of his talent.
According to cbr.com, Idris part as Roque in The Losers, was a bigger opportunity than his role as Heimdall. He got more time to shine and it was obvious that he loved playing the villain.
12 Halle Berry (Catwoman In Catwoman & Storm In X-Men)
So far, DC has not had that much luck with Catwoman films.
According to screencrush.com, Halle Berry was just plain awful as Catwoman. There was just something about her that didn’t fit the role. However, she was amazing as Storm in the original X-Men films, well once she ditched the accent that she had in the first film.
11 Natalie Portman (Jane Foster In Thor & Evey In V For Vendetta)
Many will agree that the role of Jane Foster in the Thor films was a horrible one, and an A-lister like Natalie Portman deserved a lot better.
According to cbr.com, Natalie’s role as Evey in V for Vendetta was a lot better than her role as Jane Foster. She truly stepped out of her comfort zone and dug deep for this role.
