The Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Monsterverse are two of the rare shared-universe franchises that have proven to be consistently successful. Each is expanding into new territory in the coming years, with Marvel delving into the multiverse and the Monsterverse delivering the highly-anticipated Godzilla vs. Kong 2 in 2024.
While each of these franchises is built for starkly contrasting fanbases, they are not without their similarities. In fact, there are several major actors who have appeared in both cinematic universes, perhaps offering a hint to their respective success.
Elizabeth Olsen
Elizabeth Olsen is best known for her portrayal of Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a. the Scarlet Witch, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. First appearing in a post-credit scene for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, she has been a major character ever since, even becoming one of the most celebrated characters in the fourth phase of the franchise, the events of which saw her becoming one of the MCU's most powerful villains.
The very same year that she made her debut as Wanda Maximoff, Olsen also appeared in Gareth Edwards's 2014 Godzilla reboot, which served as the first film in what is now dubbed the Monsterverse. In the film, she portrays Elle Brody, a nurse whose family is caught up in Godzilla's destruction.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Aaron Taylor-Johnson had a short but memorable stint in the MCU, where he portrayed the speedster known as Quicksilver, otherwise known as Pietro Maximoff. Alongside his sister Wanda, Pietro ed the Avengers in Age of Ultron but was killed shortly thereafter during the Battle of Sokovia, with Johnson making no further appearances in the franchise.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson portrays the lead role of 2014's Godzilla film, Ford Brody, a Navy officer who attempts to save his family and the city from Godzilla's rampage. Oddly enough, Johnson shares the screen with his MCU co-star, Elizabeth Olsen, who portrays his wife in the Monsterverse film.
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson is a powerhouse of many different franchises, not the least of which being the MCU. As Colonel Nicholas J. Fury, Jackson has appeared in eleven Marvel films so far and is confirmed to appear in the Secret Invasion Disney+ series, as well as Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels in 2023.
Jackson appeared in the 2017 film Kong: Skull Island as Lieutenant Colonel Preston Packard, whose division finds themselves stranded on Skull Island with the eponymous giant gorilla. Packard takes a special hatred against Kong, vowing to destroy the monster before escaping, though this conquest ends in his death.
Brie Larson
Brie Larson ed the MCU in 2019 as Carol Danvers, the superhero known as Captain Marvel. In recent years, Danvers has been set up to lead the Avengers moving forward, with her next confirmed appearance coming next year in the sequel to her standalone film.
Two years prior to appearing as Carol Danvers for the first time, Larson starred as a leading character in Kong: Skull Island. Portraying photographer Mason Weaver, Larson is one of the few to survive Kong's rampage during the film, even appearing in a post-credit scene hinting at the fight between the gorilla and Godzilla. Despite her survival, Weaver has yet to appear in any future Monsterverse projects.
Tom Hiddleston
Tom Hiddleston catapulted into the public consciousness in 2011 for his portrayal of one of the MCU's best villains, Loki, the god of mischief. Hiddleston's character quickly became a fan favorite, appearing often throughout the franchise, including in his own self-titled Disney+ series, which will receive a second season early next year.
Hiddleston appears as the protagonist in Kong: Skull Island, James Conrad. Conrad is commissioned to an expedition to Skull Island, eventually becoming the team's primary hope of survival after being stranded there. He manages to survive the events of the film but does not appear in any following films in the franchise.
Corey Hawkins
Known for his work in Straight Outta Compton and The Walking Dead, Corey Hawkins is certainly a talent that major studios want to be involved in their franchises. However, the actor appeared in the MCU before many viewers were familiar with him, making a brief cameo as a Navy tech operator in Iron Man 3.
Corey Hawkins has a much more defined role in the Monsterverse, portraying Houston Brooks, a geologist that s the expedition to Skull Island. Brooks escapes Kong's wrath during the film and even appears in Godzilla: King of the Monsters, though he is now portrayed by Joe Morton following the franchise's time jump.
Terry Notary
Many audience may not be familiar with Terry Notary's face, but they are likely quite familiar with his work nonetheless. The actor, who specializes in motion capture performance, appeared in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, providing the movement for Thanos's henchman, Cull Obsidian.
Terry Notary's performance is paramount to the fabric of the Monsterverse, as he is the actor primarily responsible for capturing the movements of King Kong in Skull Island, alongside co-star Toby Kebbel. Despite their work on the film, Kong's movements would not be generated using motion capture in any of the character's following appearances.
John C. Reilly
John C. Reilly has a minor role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying Nova Corps member Rhomann Dey in Guardians of the Galaxy, who corresponds with the space-faring team during Ronan the Acc's invasion of Xandar. While Dey has not been seen since, he is likely dead following Thanos's unseen attack on Xandar prior to the events of Infinity War.
John C. Reilly also appears in Kong: Skull Island as Hank Marlow, who crashes on the titular island in the film's prologue, forced to survive decades as various monsters try to kill him and his sole companion. He s the expedition when they arrive on the island, helping several of the characters survive the perils of the island.
Vera Farmiga
Vera Farmiga recently made her debut in the MCU, appearing in the Disney+ series Hawkeye. In the miniseries, Farmiga portrays Eleanor Bishop, the mother of Kate Bishop, the MCU's new Hawkeye. Eleanor is eventually revealed to be in league with the mobster known as Kingpin and is arrested at the end of the series.
Farmiga appears in the 2019 sequel to the first Monsterverse movie, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, portraying Dr. Emma Russell, the mother of Millie Bobby Brown's character. Russell is revealed to be in league with an environmentalist terrorist group that seeks to use Godzilla to wipe out humanity.
Anthony Ramos
Though Anthony Ramos has not yet made his first appearance in the MCU, fans are eagerly awaiting the debut of his villainous character Parker Robbins, a.k.a. the Hood. Ramos will star in the 2023 Disney+ series Ironheart, which will follow the exploits of Riri Williams, who herself will make her first appearance in next month's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Anthony Ramos has a much smaller role in the Monsterverse than he will in the Ironheart series. The actor appears in Godzilla: King of the Monsters as Anthony Martinez, a staff sergeant who has a very brief role of little consequence in the overall film.
