Both the Marvel and DC movie universes have featured some of the most high-profile actors in Hollywood. However, only a select few actors can claim to have appeared in both universes.
There generally isn’t much intersecting between the actors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Extended Universe, but there are exceptions to every rule. This list will make note of every actor who has starred in both MCU and DCEU films — or at least starred in Marvel and DC movies released since the start of the MCU, includingunconnected films likeThe BatmanorInto the Spider-Verse. And while some of the names on this list will be obvious, others may surprise you.
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Idris Elba
One of the most prominent actors to appear in both the MCU and the DCEU is Idris Elba. Initially appearing as Heimdall in theThortrilogy, Elba’s time in the MCU came to an end when Heimdall perished at the hands of Thanos in the opening ofAvengers: Infinity War. However, Elba would soon take on a much more prominent role when he appeared as Bloodsport, one of the main charactersin James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squad.
Zachary Levi
Of course, Idris Elba isn’t the onlyThorsupporting player who went on to find a leading role in a DCEU film. Zachary Levi appeared briefly as Fandral inThe Dark WorldandRagnarok, in which he was unceremoniously killed by Cate Blanchett’s Hela. Not long after, he would become the title character ofShazam!and its upcoming sequelShazam! Fury of the Gods, currently slated to hit theaters on June 30, 2025.
Laurence Fishburne
The Matrixstar Lawrence Fishburne appeared as the Daily Planet’s editor-in-chief, Perry White, in bothMan of Steeland its sequelBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Later on, he appeared as Hank Pym’s old coworker Bill Foster inAnt-Man and the Wasp.
J.K. Simmons
Speaking of short-tempered newspaper editors, one of J.K. Simmons’ most iconic roles is that of J. Jonah Jameson in the Sam RaimiSpider-Manfilms — a role he’d later reprise for the MCU inFar From HomeandNo Way Home. However, he also plays Commissioner Gordon inJustice League(both the theatrical and Zack Snyder cuts), and will be reprising the role in the upcomingBatgirlfilm on HBO Max.
Willem Dafoe
AnotherSpider-Manstar who made his way to the DCEU is Willem Dafoe, best known forplaying the Green Goblinin both the Raimi Trilogy andNo Way Home. But over in the DCEU, he played Aquaman’s Atlantean mentor Vulko inAquamanandZack Snyder’s Justice League.
Djimon Hounsou
Hounsou appeared as the Kree commander Korath in bothGuardians of the GalaxyandCaptain Marvel, but he’s also played two separate roles in the DCEU. First, he lent his voice to King Ricou of the Fishermen inAquaman. Soon after, he appeared in the flesh as the Wizard inShazam!
Randall Park
AnotherAquamancast member who appeared in the MCU is Randall Park, aka Black Manta’s accomplice Dr. Stephen Shin. A year later, Park played FBI agent Jimmy Woo inAnt-Man and the Wasp,a role he reprised inWandaVision.
David Dastmalchian
After briefly appearing as one of the Joker’s henchmen inThe Dark Knight, Dastalmachian went on to play the computer hacker Kurt Goreshter inAnt-Manand its sequel. But most recently, he portrayed the Polka-Dot Man in James Gunn’sThe Suicide Squad.
Taika Waititi
On the topic ofThe Suicide Squad, it also featured a cameo from another big-name MCU director — Taika Waititi, who both directedThor: Ragnarokand provided the voice of Korg. But inThe Suicide Squad, Waititi appears in the flesh as the original Ratcatcher, father of Daniela Melchior’s Ratcatcher 2.
Ben Mendelsohn
One of the MCU’s most unexpected fan-favorite characters is Ben Mendelsohn’s Talos, leader ofthe Skrulls inCaptain Marvel,who later reappeared inSpider-Man: Far From Home. However, Talos isn’t Mendelsohn’s first time playing a comic book villain — he also played the corrupt businessman John Daggett (based on recurringBatman: The Animated Seriesantagonist Roland Daggett) inThe Dark Knight Rises.
Brian Tyree Henry
Brian Tyree Henry left quite an impact on Marvel fans as the super-smart inventor Phastos inEternals— the MCU’s first openly gay hero. But before that, he also played a bit part as an Arkham employee inJoker. And before that, he was the voice of Miles Morales’ father Jeff Davis inSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Chris Pine
Andspeaking ofInto the Spider-Verse,the animated film also featured Chris Pine as the Peter Parker of Miles’ home universe. And before portraying the web-slinger, Pine played Diana’s love interest Steve Trevor inWonder Woman.
Tom Hardy
But while none of the live-action Spider-Men have appeared in any DC movies, one live-action Venom has. Before becoming the Lethal Protector inVenomand its sequel, Tom Hardy played another brawny supervillain — Bane inThe Dark Knight Rises.
Angela Bassett
You’d be forgiven for forgetting that Angela Bassett ever appeared in any DC movies. But nearly a decade before she appeared as T’Challa’s mother Ramonda inBlack Panther, she played Amanda Waller inGreen Lantern— long beforeViola Davis took up the rolein the DCEU.
Clancy Brown
The main villain ofGreen Lantern, the monstrous Parallax, was voiced by legendary character actor Clancy Brown, better known as Lex Luthor inSuperman: The Animated Series. However, Brown went on to voice another comic book villain when he portrayed Surtur inThor: Ragnarok.
Ryan Reynolds
And on that note, it’s impossible to not bring up Hal Jordan himself, Ryan Reynolds. Besides starring in the ill-fatedGreen Lanternfilm, Reynolds also played Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, in bothX-Men Origins: Wolverineand the currentDeadpoolfilms. And while Reynolds’ Deadpool wasn’t initially part of the MCU, he’s set to join it properlyin his upcoming third film.
Danny Huston
AnotherX-Men Originscast member who appeared in a DC film is Danny Huston, who portrayed Wolverine’s nemesis William Stryker in the 2009 film. Later on, he played another villainous military man, General Erich Ludendorff, inWonder Woman.
Andy Serkis
While he’s best known for his motion-capture work, one of Andy Serkis’ most prominent on-screen roles is the villainous arms dealer Ulysses Klaue, who made brief-but-memorable appearances in bothAvengers: Age of UltronandBlack Panther. But more recently, he played Bruce Wayne’s loyal butler Alfred Pennyworth inThe Batman.
Jeffrey Wright
Speaking ofThe Batman, itsCommissioner Gordon has also appearedin the MCU, albeit not on film. Jeffrey Wright previously lent his voice to Uatu the Watcher in theWhat If…?animated series.
Michael Keaton
While he hasn’t properly joined the DCEU yet, Keaton’s iconic Batman is set to appear in the upcomingFlashfilm. But of course, Keaton has already appeared in the MCU as the Vulture inSpider-Man: Homecoming.
Michelle Pfeiffer
Finally, it’d be a shame to bring up Keaton’s Batman without discussing Michelle Pfeiffer, who played opposite him as Catwoman inBatman Returns. But decades later, Pfeiffer joined the MCU as Janet Van Dyne,aka the original Wasp,inAnt-Man and the Wasp.
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