Today, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) boasts the largest group of actors ever assembled to work on various movies over the course of several years. In fact, the group also includes these MCU actors have also previously worked on other movies together so there’s a lot of camaraderie among them.
Aside from this, it also worth noting that the MCU boasts several Oscar winners in its talent pool. Some of these award-winning actors who have already appeared in the MCU include some exciting names.
Marisa Tomei
Tomei won an Oscar early on in her career for her performance in the 90s film My Cousin Vinny. Since then, she also received two other Oscar nominations for The Wrestler and In the Bedroom.
Upon ing the MCU, Tomei brought a fresh perspective to the beloved character Aunt May. While making Spider-Man: Homecoming, Tomei revealed that she gave some inputs for the role. “We considered making her a pro bono lawyer, but didn’t want her to wear suits,” the actress told her best movies to date.
Lupita Nyong’o
After winning an Oscar for her performance in the film 12 Years a Slave, Nyong’o made her debut in the MCU in the 2018 Oscar-nominated movie Black Panther. Here, she stars as Nakia, a spy who is also a love interest to the late Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther.
If you must know, this actress signed on to the movie without reading a script. While speaking with Pop Sugar, Nyong’o explained that she’s always wanted to work with director Ryan Coogler. In addition, she also remarked, “This resonated with me on a number of levels, so it was really a no-brainer.”
Forest Whitaker
Like Nyong’o, Whitaker also ed the MCU after being cast in Black Panther. He starred as Zuri who also served Black Panther’s late father. As it turns out, the Oscar winner was unaware of the plot twist involving Zuri in the beginning.
While speaking with the actor’s most groundbreaking movie performances.
Tilda Swinton
Swinton won her Oscar in 2008 for her performance in the film Michael Clayton, which is recognized as one of her best movies. Years later, she was cast in Doctor Strange as The Ancient One. Since then, Swinton has also reprised her character in the box office record-breaking movie Avengers: Endgame.
During production on the film, Swinton revealed that she was among those who had to return for reshoots. While speaking with Indie Wire, the actress revealed that “a couple of lines had been changed, a couple of plot points had been changed” since she shot her scene one summer.
Michael Douglas
This two-time Oscar winner made his MCU debut in the 2015 movie Ant-Man. Since then, Douglas has also appeared in the follow-up film Ant-Man and the Wasp opposite veteran actress Michelle Pfeiffer. Meanwhile, Douglas also starred in Avengers: Endgame where he had to play a younger version of Hank Pym during the superheroes time travel ‘heist’ sequence.
To make this happen, Endgame VFX supervisor Dan Daleeuw revealed that they needed a younger actor to copy Douglas’ performance as close as possible. Then, he told Deadline that they “take Michael’s face, kind of distort it…”
Natalie Portman
In the MCU, Portman played Jane Foster, who had been Thor’s love interest at one point. Since then, fans have noted that the role was among those that simply wasted Portman’s talent.
That said, they may be delighted to know that Portman is set to return to the MCU and this time around, she will be dealing with a more significant storyline. In the movie Thor: Love and Thunder, Portman will play a character also known as Thor. According to Movie Web, Portman explained in an interview, “She does have powers. It's not exactly the same as Thor".
Cate Blanchett
Blanchett’s arrival to the MCU came with a great deal of significance since she portrayed the universe’s first-ever female villain, Hela. While some may have thought that the significance of her casting would put some pressure on Blanchett, the Oscar winner felt otherwise.
While speaking with her best movies.
Anthony Hopkins
He may have just played a one-time role in the Transformers franchise. In the MCU though, Hopkins portrayed, Thor’s father, Odin, across the three Thor movies. In Thor: Ragnarok, Odin’s ing marked a major turning point in Thor’s story arc. It also allowed for the resurgence of Hela.
As it turns out, however, we would have been treated to more Hopkins’ scenes in the third Thor film had scenes not been changed. “What we wanted originally was for Thor and Loki to find Odin in New York, living on the streets, Fisher King style,” director Taika Waititi told Empire.
Gwyneth Paltrow
Being good friends with Downey and Jon Favreau, Paltrow was among the first actors to the MCU where was cast as Pepper Potts. Over the years, the Oscar winner has made several appearances throughout the MCU, including in Iron Man, Avengers, and Spider-Man movies.
That said, Paltrow also confirmed that Avengers: Endgame would be her last MCU movie. “I mean, I’m a bit old to be in a suit and all that at this point,” she explained while talking to Variety. That said, Paltrow also said that she willing to return briefly if necessary.
Brie Larson
Larson made her debut in the MCU’s 2019 movie Captain Marvel as the titular character. For this Oscar winner, taking on the role made sense largely because Marvel never shied away from the idea of making a feminist movie.
“I had a meeting with Marvel and what we discussed was they wanted to make a big feminist movie,” the Oscar winner recalled while speaking with Mashable. For the actress, that represents “everything that I’ve wanted.” Today, Larson is expected to reprise her role in future MCU movies.
