Actors who’ve played multiple Marvel characters across movies

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has slowly become a multiverse. Especially with Marvel Studios’ plans of merging timelines and earlier SONY movies with the MCU canon — as we saw in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) — many Marvel actors are making a comeback, playing multiple roles to fit into the “sacred” timeline. 

In fact, the announcement of Robert Downey Jr.’s comeback to the MCU works in tandem with the multiverse theory as he is the face of Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, in one universe and going by the recent announcement, Dr Doom, aka Dr Victor Von Doom, in another. 

But this wouldn’t be the first such case. Over the years, even before the creation of the multiverse, there have been many actors who have played multiple Marvel characters in different movies. Either in the pre-MCU movies from other studios like SONY or within the same universe as minor characters.  

So, here is a look at all the actors who have played multiple Marvel characters across movies. 

Which actors have played multiple Marvel characters in movies? 

1. Chris Evans

Chris Evans as Johnny Storm (left) and as Captain America (right) (Image courtesy: IMDb/Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007) and IMDb/Avengers: Infinity War (2018))

Before he took on the role of the heroic Captain America, Chris Evans played Johnny Storm, aka The Human Torch, in the 2005 and 2007 Fantastic Four movies. Evans’ role as ‘the first Avenger’ came to an end with MCU’s Phase 3 movie Avengers: Endgame (2019) in which Steve Rogers goes back in time to stay with Peggy Carter.  

Evans also recently reprised his role of The Human Torch in the 2024 movie, Deadpool & Wolverine. 

2. Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin as Cable (left) and as Thanos (right) (Image courtesy: IMDb/Deadpool 2 (2018) and IMDb/Avengers: Infinity War (2018))

Josh Brolin is one of those actors who has portrayed not one but two Marvel villains. Widely known for his portrayal of The Mad Titan, Thanos in the MCU’s first three phases, aka The Infinity Saga, (2008-2019), Brolin has also starred as Cable, the antagonist in Deadpool 2 (2018). 

3. Gemma Chan

Gemma Chan as Minn-Erva (left) and as Sersi (right) (Image courtesy: IMDb/Captain Marvel (2019) and IMDb/Eternals (2021))

Before portraying , the Eternal who can transform matter with physical touch in Eternals (2021), Gemma Chan also played the minor role of Minn-Erva. While Sersi is a character full of empathy with a deep connection to humanity and Mother Earth, Minn-Erva is a member of the Kree team, Starforce, in Captain Marvel (2019).

Chan might return for Eternals 2 but as of now, the studio has no plans of reviving the franchise after its failure.  

4. Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger (left) and Johnny Storm (right) (Image courtesy: IMDb/Black Panther (2018) and IMDb/Fantastic Four (2015) Photo by Ben Rothstein/Ben Rothstein – © TM & © 2015 Marvel & Subs. TM and © 2015 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved.)

Just like Chris Evans, MBJ, too, before becoming one of most successful Marvel actors, played the role of The Human Torch in a flop Fantastic Four flick. The 2015 film, produced by Fox, was a part of a franchise reboot, directed by Josh Trank starring Miles Teller (from Top Gun: Maverick) as Reed Richards. However, due to its poor performance, it was dropped.

MBJ then moved on to play Erik Killmonger in Black Panther (2018), one of the coolest antagonists in the MCU. He also reprised his role of Killmonger in a cameo appearance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).  

5. Paul Bettany

Paul Bettany as Vision (Image courtesy: IMDb/Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015))

After voicing Tony Stark’s AI assistant J.A.R.V.I.S. in the Iron Man Trilogy and the first Avengers film, Paul Bettany assumed to role of Vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). Vision is a vibranium-based android created by Ultron who was later stolen by the Avengers and given sentience to by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. Bettany also reprised this role in the Marvel-Disney Plus miniseries Vision (2021). 

6. Michelle Yeoh

Michelle Yeoh as Nan (left) and Aleta Ogord (right) (Image courtesy: IMDb/Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) and IMDb/Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017))

Another actor who has played multiple Marvel characters in different movies is Oscar-winner Michelle Yeoh. Alongside her brief appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017) as Aleta Ogord, a member of the Ravagers, she also starred in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021) as Nan, Shang-Chi and Xialing’s aunt. Nan is also the guardian of Ta Lo, the pocket dimension. 

7. Olivia Munn

Olivia Munn as Betsy Braddock (Image Courtesy: IMDb/X-Men: Apocalypse (2016))

Before bringing to life Betsy Braddock, aka Psylocke, in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Olivia Munn made a cameo in Iron Man 2 (2010) as Chess Roberts, a news reporter who covered the Stark Expo.  

8. Job Favreau

Jon Favreau as Foggy Nelson (left) and Happy Hogan (right) (Image Courtesy: IMDb/Daredevil (2003) and IMDb/Iron Man 2 (2010))

Apart from playing the ever-reliable Happy Hogan in the MCU (Iron Man trilogy, Avengers: Endgame, the Spider-Man trilogy starring Tom Holland and Deadpool & Wolverine), Jon Favreau has portrayed another Marvel character previously. In the 2003 Ben Affleck-starrer Daredevil, Favreau played the role of Foggy Nelson, protagonist Matt Murdock’s best friend and lawyer partner.

9. Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark (Image Courtesy: IMDb/Avengers: Endgame (2019))

Technically, he hasn’t yet played multiple characters but forgetting the Godfather of the MCU seems like blasphemy, so we must include the man without whom Marvel isn’t Marvel — Robert Downey Jr.

He played the iconic role of Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, for more than a decade and now he is set to return with the role of Dr Doom in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027). 

10. Linda Cardellini

Linda Cardellini as Laura Barton (Image Courtesy: IMDb/Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015))

Linda Cardellini is another actor who has played multiple roles in Marvel movies. In the 2015 movie Avengers: Age of Ultron, Cardellini portrayed Laura Barton, a former SHEILD agent and Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye’s, wife. Then, in the Phase 5 movie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, she voiced Lylla who helped Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper). 

11. Damion Poitier 

Before Josh Brolin was cast as Thanos, Damion Poitier appeared as The Mad Titan in the post-credit scene of The Avengers (2012). However, it was later decided that the studio wanted a more dynamic portrayal of Thanos which led to Poiter being replaced. He was then cast as one of the Crossbones mercenaries in Captain America: Civil War (2016). 

12. Benedict Cumberbatch  

Benedict Cumberbatch as Stephen Strange (Image Courtesy: IMDb/Avengers: Infinity War (2018))

We all know Benedict Cumberbatch for his immaculate portrayal of Doctor (Stephen) Strange in the MCU. But he has also played another role in which he isn’t as recognisable. Cumberbatch provided motion capture and voice for Dormammu in Doctor Strange (2016), who was, according to him, a horrific reflection of Strange.  

Special mentions

Besides the above-mentioned actors, some have also played multiple Marvel characters in not just Movies but also TV shows. Meanwhile, others have contributed significantly to the MCU by taking on multiple roles over the years.

1. Devery Jacobs 

Devery Jacobs has almost, simultaneously, played two roles in the MCU. Like many Marvel actors, she has acted as well as provided her voice to characters. Between 2023-2024, she voiced the character of Kahhori from the Mohawk tribe in the Marvel TV series What if…? Then, in 2024 she played the role of Bonnie in another Marvel TV series Echo (2024), a spin-off of the 2021 TV series Hawkeye. 

2. Hailee Steinfeld 

Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop (left) and as Gwen Stacy (right) (Image Courtesy: IMDb/Hawkeye and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse/Photo by Sony Pictures Animation – © 2023 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

Hailee Steinfeld is known for her rol, aka Spider-Woman, in the 2018 movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. After reprising her role for its sequel, Steinfeld was cast as Kate Bishop in Hawkeye (2021). She has since reprised her role of Kate Bishop in multiple MCU projects and is expected to return as the voice of Gwen Stacy in the third instalment of the Spider-Verse franchise, Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse. 

3. Joe Russo

Joe Russo, one half of the Russo Brothers who have made significant contributions to MCU with their direction, has starred in many Marvel movies as an actor. He played the role of Dr Fine who operated on S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014). Additionally, he has also played Theo Broussard, a psychiatrist who was killed and impersonated by Zemo (Daniel Brühl) in Captain American: Civil War (2016), and Bobby a support group member in Avengers: Endgame (2019) of which Steve Rogers is a part. 

4. Oscar Issac

Oscar Issac in Moon Knight (left) and in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (right) (Image Courtesy: IMDb/Moon Knight (2022) and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023))

Another actor who has starred in a movie and TV show featuring Marvel characters is Oscar Issac. In the 2022 Marvel miniseries Moon Knight, Issac assumed the role of a person with multiple personalities. The following year, he voiced Miguel O’Hara, aka Spider-Man 2099, in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023).

5. Stan Lee 

Stan Lee in Spider-Man 3 (2007) (Image Courtesy: IMDb/Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Last but not the least, Stan Lee! From the delivery guy in Civil War to the school librarian in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), and appearing in Spider-Man 3 (2007) with Tobey Maguire, the father of Marvel has delivered numerous cameos in not only Marvel movies but also other MCU projects, SONY projects, animated projects and more. 

Hero and feature image: Courtesy: IMDb/Captain America: Civil War (2016) © 2016 – Marvel Studios