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Superhero movies are dominating the world of cinema. It’s a concept that goes well with kids as well as grown-ups. FromMarvelto DC, superhero movies, whether sequels or not, are offering something new and exciting, giving a chance to both underrated characters and actors. When these movies or series are greenlit, it’s a huge process of finding the right talent to play the role, as it might go on to become a franchise. One of the best places to find underlying talent is in the world of TV.
TV almost always gives a better storytelling experience. Why? For one obvious reason, shows aren’t time-bound like movies. They have the liberty to explore every character and side of the storyline, thus giving the actors time to showcase their craft. We admire many actors who now don the suits of comic superheroes as they bring the comic characters to life in the best way possible. But did you know some of yourfavorite superhero movie actorsstarted with the small screen? Check the list out to learn more about them!
1Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynoldsis one of the most beloved heroes—well, antiheroes—of Marvel. He stands out not just because of his character but also due to hispersonality outside work. He is, without any doubt, one of the funniest actors, especially when he is paired with hisbest friend, Hugh Jackman. Before he became the bullet-raining, sword-swinging man with no filter for what he says, he was quite popular in the world of television. Reynolds was just a fresh-faced teen trying to make it big in the industry.
His career began in 1991 with the Canadian teen dramaFifteen.He played the role of Billy Simpson, a very polar opposite person from the foul-mouthed assassin that we know today. That was not all—he found more success in the world of series as he took up a role in a sitcom,Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place.It was in this show that he was able to show off his comedic timing and his fast-mouthed acting. The surprising thing is that even though he is known for his role as the deadly assassin, he even took a different superhero role forDC.
Before playing Deadpool, Reynolds established himself as someone who could play superhero roles in the DC universe, such as Green Lantern. Yup, our man has done it all, from series to making it big in both superhero giants’ universes.
2Michael Keaton
What? No way the Oscar-nominated actor, who has played a superhero role, started his career in the world of series—is that what you are thinking? Well, prepare to be surprised. Not only did he play the role of a superhero, but he also played a villain in another superhero universe. Keaton is one of those rare actors who have made their mark in both the DC and Marvel universes.
While many recognize him for his Oscar-nominated performance inBirdman,Michael Keatonwill always be remembered as one of the most iconic Batmans in the history of DC. The irony of doing a role about an actor struggling to move past his superhero fame after playingBatmanwill always be funny. He was one of those actors who really shifted people’s attention to the DC superhero when he acted in Tim Burton’sBatman(1989) andBatman Returns(1992).
But did you know that before he became one of the most successful actors, the Emmy-winning actor starred in a television show, appearing inMister Rogers’ Neighborhoodin 1975? This made him one of the rare actors to move from simple andhumble roles in televisionto playing superhero roles. But that is not what makes him an interesting personality—he is also part of an even rarer group that has acted for both DC and Marvel.
After donning the cape to play Gotham’s vigilante, he put on his wings to play Birdman. But this was not the last time he put something on his back to fly. Keaton returned to play the Vulture inSpider-Man: Homecoming(2017). He put on mechanical wings to haunt the city of New York. From bat suit to mechanical wings—seriously, what is up with Keaton and his love for flying roles?
3Michael B. Jordan
You know it’s going to be a good film when you seeMichael B. Jordan‘s name in the credits, especially if it’snext to Ryan Coogler. The director-actor duo first teamed up forFruitvale Station(2013) and is now breaking the bank with Sinners, putting both of them on Hollywood’s radar.
Down the line, Jordan has come to become one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actors. He delivered an intense performance in the Ryan Coogler movieBlack Panther.No, he did not play a superhero. However, he was one of the best villains in one of the best Marvel movies, and it deserves recognition. But did you know that he was doing side roles in television before he gained widespread attention?
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The Creed actor’s early career had him taking several TV roles, starting with short cameos before landing a breakout part in HBO’s The Wire (2002). His role as a young drug dealer was short-lived, but with his acting prowess, he left an impact in Hollywood. Apart from that, he moved on toAll My Children,where he spent three years sharpening his acting skills in the world of soap operas.
4Chadwick Boseman
Yup, the main lead from the same movie Michael B. Jordan got his recognition from was also responsible for giving us another legend (Coogler really knows how to make a good movie). But there is another interesting fact aboutChadwick Bosemanthat none of you would have seen coming.
Our belovedBlack Panther, Chadwick Boseman, also got his start on television before becoming a global icon. What’s interesting is that both Boseman and Jordan, who would later face each other inBlack Panther,shared an unexpected connection long before the MCU.
In 2003, Boseman was cast as Reggie Montgomery in the soap operaAll My Children,the same one in which Jordan acted. However, his time in the show was cut short after he voiced concerns about the stereotypical portrayal of his character. After his exit, the role was taken over by none other than Michael B. Jordan.
It was poetic how their paths intertwined years later, only this time on a much larger scale. InBlack Panther,Jordan’s Killmonger fights Boseman’sT’Challa for the throne of Wakanda, just like how he took over the role of Boseman inAll My Children.Life does imitate art, doesn’t it? In this case, it was the other way around, but the message still stands.
5Benedict Cumberbatch
Our Sorcerer Supreme,Benedict Cumberbatch, who is not afraid of anything other than the word ‘Penguin,’ had one of the most amazing careers among superheroes. He effortlessly acted in a blockbuster universe with an award-winning performance. Before he became the Sorcerer who could travel through multiple dimensions and established himself as a superhero, he was already a household name thanks to his performance in a British show.
Cumberbatch acted as Arthur Conan Doyle’s fictional character in a modern setup, ashe played Sherlock Holmesin the BBC’sSherlock.His performance was out of this world. His fast-paced wit, dialogue delivery, and magnetic screen presence made him one of the best Holmes out there. Apart fromSherlock,his journey to stardom started way back. An actor who gained immense experience from the theatre, his first major TV breakthrough came in 2002 withSilent Witness,in the sixth season of the running show, playing the character Warren Reid.
His performance turned heads in the industry and continued to gain attention through projects likeHawking(where he played a young Stephen Hawking),Amazing Grace,andThe Last Enemy.By the time it was time to play Dr. Strange, he was a well-established actor, and his role in the movie only helped in raising the bar for the film.
6Idris Elba
Idris Elbaalready gives the vibes of a god living within us, and when he took the role of Heimdall, the all-seeing gatekeeper of Asgard in the Thor films, there was nothing more satisfying and fitting. However, before becoming the gatekeeper, he was busy distributing drugs in the streets as the ambitious drug kingpinStringer Bell in the HBO series The Wire.
It is easily one of his most iconic roles in TV history, including his role in the medical dramaBramwell. Over the years, he showcased his skills in different genres. The best part is that even after securing a part in a cinematic giant like Marvel, he did not turn his back on the world of television. He remains the man who madeLutherwhat it is, a role that has earned him critical acclaim and multiple awards as the detective John Luther.
However, he is not just known for his intense roles; he has also been part of one of the most hilarious sitcoms known to mankind. Elba played the role of Charles Miner in The Office. It’s hard not to appreciate a man for showing his love for television and delivering roles that are both intense and hilarious, showcasing his versatility.
7J.K. Simmons
The best portrayal of J. Jonah Jameson—the no-nonsense, stubborn, and always on a mission to tarnish the name of Spider-Man—belongs toJ.K. Simmons. His role was the perfect fit for the actor; he was effortlessly able to convey his hate for Spider-Man while chomping on a cigar all the time. His acting was so good that Marvel had to bring him back forSpider-Man: Far From HomeandSpider-Man: No Way Home. But before he was barking orders at Peter Parker, Simmons had already made himself seen in the world of television.
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His big break came from Law & Order, where he played the tough and sharp-witted Dr. Emil Skoda, a recurring psychiatrist on the series, but that was not his most intense role. He really established himself when he played the terrifying neo-Nazi leader Vern Schillinger in HBO’s Oz, one of the most gut-churning series in a long time that reallyupped the show’s bar with his performance.
He is easily one of the best actors who can really create hate for the characters he plays from the viewers, showing just how good he is at what he does. He has a knack for keeping everyone’s attention, especially when he is yelling, “Pictures of Spider-Man!”
8Ben Affleck
A legend in the film industry, he has done parts in DC and other notable films and even got an award for directing. What can he not do?Ben Affleckhas played the role of Batman in films likeBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice(2016),Suicide Squad(2016), andJustice League(2017). His role in Dawn of Justice was one of the best, often leading to his name being mentioned in discussions that revolve aroundwho the best Batman is. We all know it’s Christian Bale (or is it?), but he does deserve the recognition.
Apart from playing Batman for DC, he even acted as Matt Murdock in Marvel’sDaredevil(2003). But before he suited up for Daredevil or put on the mask to fight Superman, his career goes way back to when he was just 12. Affleck’s first big break came when he was just a kid starring in the educational seriesThe Voyage of Mimi(1984) and its sequel,The Second Voyage of the Mimi(1988), a show designed to teach kids about marine biology and mathematics (what a range, just like the actor).
Since then, Affleck has taken on small roles before he eventually established himself in the world of cinema, where he even won an Oscar for the filmGood Will Hunting(1997) alongside childhood friend Matt Damon. Whilehis superhero role as Daredevildid not land, he redeemed himself with a darker and battle-worn Batman.
9Chris Hemsworth
I knowChris Hemsworthcrossed your mind when you read about Idris Elba being the all-seeing gatekeeper, and we are here to tap into it. Hemsworth played The God of Thunder himself and won the hearts of many, as he became one of Marvel’s most beloved superheroes. Before he wasbending lightning and battling godsand his notorious brother Loki, Hemsworth was busy making a name for himself on Australian television.
Hemsworth got a push in his career in 2002, with a small role in a cult-favorite fantasy series in Australia—Guinevere Jones. Even though it was a short role, it was the first time he dipped his toes in the world of acting, and it looks like he got a taste for it. In 2004, he got a more prominent role in the long-running soap opera Home and Away, where he played Kim Hyde. This series is what catapulted his career and helped him polish his skills and gain recognition in the Australian entertainment industry.
After his success in soap, he beautifully transitioned into a more established industry, such as Hollywood. This is when he landed his role as George Kirk inStar Trek(2009). It was brief, but it put him under the radar of Hollywood giants. And when he was cast as Thor in 2011, the rest is history.
10Chris Pratt
Most of us know him as the lovable goofball Andy Dwyer from the popular sitcomParks & Recreation. However, he gained more attention from viewers for his role as Star-Lord inGuardians of the Galaxy, which is also nothing short of remarkable. But before leading the group of misfits and paving his path in the MCU,Chris Prattwas making a career in television filled with drama and comedy, which, to be honest, feels likePratt’s natural habitat.
His first major TV role came in Everwood (2002), where he played Bright Abbott. He later got a little more push in his career when he appeared inThe O.C.as Ché, an activist with a weird personality. However, it wasParks & Recreationthat really showed his skills as an actor. He came up with some of the most hilarious one-liners in the show to the envy of the writers.
When he finally landed a role in a big-budget film likeGuardians of the Galaxy, he really embraced this goofy side of himself. The only difference was that he was a bit more bulked up and made to show a little more emotion, which he naturally did. It is easy to say that Pratt really made Guardians of the Galaxy what we all know and love today. He proved that even a funny guy gets to save the galaxy once in a while.
Rahul Biju
Articles Published :262
Rahul is an Entertainment Writer at FandomWire who has already made his mark covering some of the most talked-about TV shows around, especially the gems coming out of Apple TV+. In under a year, he’s tackled everything from breaking news to evergreen features and listicles that keep readers clicking. Before swapping the racetrack for the red carpet, Rahul was deep in the world of sports journalism, covering the high-speed drama of Formula 1. That same adrenaline now fuels his love for motorsport-themed movies and series. If there’s an engine revving on screen, chances are he’s written about it.When he’s not busy ranking the best horror flicks or hunting down the next great movie trilogy, Rahul’s geeking out over Quentin Tarantino’s razor-sharp dialogue or Wes Anderson’s perfectly framed shots. Those two directors may have sparked his obsession with cinema, but they also opened the door to exploring filmmakers of every style, and he’s been on that deep dive ever since.
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Ben AffleckBenedict CumberbatchCelebritiesChadwick BosemanChris HemsworthDChollywoodIdris ElbaJ.K. SimmonsMCUMichael B. JordanMichael KeatonMoviesRyan ReynoldsSuperheroTV Shows
