The Marvel Cinematic Universe: The Cast Behind Your Favorite Characters
Published on 10/17/2018
Ever since the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) came to be, it has evolved into one of the most successful movie franchises to date. Based on the classic Marvel Comics, the movies bring them to life in the best possible way. The film franchise began in 2008 when Iron Man was released. The MCU has gained many more titles and amazing actors to play the parts of beloved comic book characters. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the franchise or are just curious as to who the characters actually are, read on to find out more about everyone’s favorite characters. Warning – spoilers ahead.
Robert Downey Jr. – Iron Man/Tony Stark
The very first Marvel character to have his own movie, Tony Stark, AKA Iron Man, is played by Robert Downey Jr. Released in 2008, the movie was instantly a massive success, which convinced the creators of the movie to continue what they had started with the movie.
Tony Stark is a billionaire and genius inventor who is the CEO of Stark Industries. He starts out as a weapons manufacturer for the U.S. Military, but after a change of heart, he turns to create powered exoskeleton suits of armor which he begins to use to defend the world against any threat. After going public with the suits, the press dubbed him ‘Iron Man’, and he kept the name.
Robert Downey Jr.
Chris Evans – Captain America/Steve Rogers
Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America is a World War II hero. Designed as a patriotic super-soldier, he was one of the most popular characters during the war period. Beginning his story as a thin and frail man, he was transformed into a super-soldier thanks to an experimental serum developed to aid the U.S. Army during the war. While Rogers has super-strength, he also uses his titanium shield as a weapon at times, throwing it at an enemy. After the war, he was trapped in ice, which allowed him to survive for 70 years or so.
In the MCU, Captain America is played by Chris Evans, becoming immensely popular after the release of the first movie in 2011. Since then there were another two movies completing this series, while Rogers also appeared in the Avengers movies.
Chris Evans
Scarlett Johansson – Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff
Played by Scarlett Johansson, Natasha Romanoff, AKA Black Widow, began her story as a Russian spy. Born in Stalingrad, Russia, Romanoff was raised to become a spy for her homeland. An orphan, Romanoff was brainwashed and trained in the ‘Red Room’. She became part of S.H.I.E.L.D later on, switching allegiance to the U.S. and becoming an aid to the American government.
In the MCU, Romanoff makes her first appearance in Iron Man 2, working undercover as Tony Stark’s assistant. As the movies progress, she becomes a more central character, as she is one of the main Avengers.
Scarlett Johansson
Chris Hemsworth – Thor Odinson
Based on the Norse Deity, Thor Odinson is the Asgardian God of Thunder and is one of the Avengers. Played by Chris Hemsworth, his character carries the enchanted hammer Mjolnir. With his ability to fly and affect the weather thanks to Mjolnir, Thor is also the strongest of the Asgardians, since he is the son of Odin and the elder goddess Gaea. He also is incredibly ancient, as Asgardians live for many years.
In the MCU, Thor is introduced in his first film in 2011. He is one of the main Avengers, going on to star in another two of his own movies in addition to the Avengers films.
Chris Hemsworth
Mark Ruffalo – The Hulk/Bruce Banner
Another one of the main Avengers, Bruce Banner, AKA the Hulk, is portrayed by Mark Ruffalo in the films starting from The Avengers. Bruce Banner is a physicist who is socially withdrawn and physically weak. At one point he gets exposed to massive amounts of Gamma Rays due to a failed experiment, resulting in his alter-ego, the Hulk. He transforms into a monster when he is agitated or emotionally stressed, resulting in massive destruction all around him. At times Banner manages to control the Hulk, but for the most part that is not the case.
Ruffalo’s character appeared for the first time in the MCU film The Avengers in 2012. Although the Hulk did have a standalone movie previously played by another actor, the character was not as popular as the others with solo movies. Once The Avengers was released the Hulk gained more popularity.
Mark Ruffalo
Jeremy Renner – Hawkeye/Clint Barton
A master archer working for S.H.I.E.L.D, Clint Barton, AKA Hawkeye, is played by Jeremy Renner in the Avengers films. An American hero, Hawkeye surprisingly does not have any superhuman powers. Rather he is an expert in his skillset by training with criminals Trick Shot and Swordsman in his youth. He ended up abandoned, with no parents and became a master archer to perform as a carnival star in order to make money. With time, he joined the Avengers and became a vital part of the team.
Hawkeye made his first cinematic appearance in Thor, later appearing in the Avengers officially as his previous appearance was uncredited.
Jeremy Renner
Tom Hiddleston – Loki Laufeyson
Thor’s adoptive brother Loki is played by Tom Hiddleston in the MCU. Based on the comic book character, Loki Laufeyson was the son of a frost giant, adopted by Odin himself. Because of the apparent differences Loki and Thor displayed growing up, Loki earned his reputation as a trickster and mischevious liar since he often tried to get rid of Thor using his sorcery. Over time, his tricks became more and more sinister, earning him the title “God of Evil”. Many times Loki attempted to take over Asgard as well as other planets as his hunger for power grew stronger.
In the films of the MCU, Loki is first introduced in Thor, with his story explained throughout the film in short. His character has seen many ups and downs, while always surprising the audience.
Tom Hiddleston
Paul Rudd – Ant-Man/Scott Lang
Paul Rudd joined the MCU to play Scott Lang who becomes Ant-Man. In his first film, he is introduced as a well-meaning thief just getting released from prison. In order to pay child support to his previous wife, he tries to get a job, but to no avail. Because of this, he turns back to stealing to try and make some money. One thing leads to another, and it so happens to be Hank Pym’s house Lang was stealing from, resulting in Pym training Lang to become the new Ant-Man.
Later, Lang joins Captain America in his fight against Iron Man in Civil War.
Paul Rudd
Paul Bettany – J.A.R.V.I.S/Vision
Playing the AI in Tony Stark’s Iron Man suits, Paul Bettany began his career in the MCU voicing J.A.R.V.I.S. In the first two Iron Man films he just voices the AI, while in Avengers: Age of Ultron he becomes a superhero named Vision created by Ultron along with Tony Stark and Bruce Banner. Vision becomes one of the Avengers, appearing in the rest of the films.
Paul Bettany
Tom Holland – Spider-Man/Peter Parker
Tom Holland was cast as Peter Parker, better known as Spider-Man, in June 2015. He made his first appearance in Captain America: Civil War, aiding Tony Stark in their battle. To this day, Spider-Man is one of the most popular superheroes ever. Since becoming part of the MCU, Parker had his own solo movie, Spider-Man: Homecoming, and is set to be in another solo film. The teenage superhero has a storyline centered around him balancing his duties as a high school student and striving to become an official Avenger.
Tom Holland
Elizabeth Olsen – Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff
Another new addition to the MCU, Elizabeth Olsen was introduced as the Scarlet Witch, also known as Wanda Maximoff. She starts out as an enemy of the Avengers in the second film but later joins Captain America in Civil War. She also appears in Avengers: Infinity War, using her hypnosis and telekinesis powers to aid the Avengers against Thanos.
Elizabeth Olsen
Chris Pratt – Star-Lord/Peter Quill
Beginning his role as Peter Quill, AKA Star-Lord, Chris Pratt made his first appearance as the character in Guardians of the Galaxy. Having lost his mother to cancer at a young age, Quill left the hospital in tears, only to be abducted by an extraterrestrial star-ship. His story unfolds throughout the movie, exploring his various adventures as Star-Lord. His story continues in the sequel to the film, with Quill later joining the Avengers in Infinity War.
Chris Pratt
Benedict Cumberbatch – Doctor Strange/Stephen Strange
A successful neurosurgeon portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, Doctor Strange (also known as Stephen Strange) has a tragic accident that results in him severely injuring his hands. Due to his inability to resume his work as a surgeon, Strange goes to great lengths trying to regain control of his hands. As with many MCU characters, he joins the Avengers in Infinity War in the attempt to defeat Thanos.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Samuel L. Jackson – Nick Fury
The director of S.H.I.E.L.D, Nick Fury is played by Samuel L. Jackson. A non-superhero, Fury is essential to the team nonetheless. Originally a CIA agent, he later joins the fictional agency S.H.I.E.L.D and takes over the Avengers Initiative. He is introduced in The Avengers, acting as a leader to the group of superheroes.
Samuel L. Jackson
Aaron-Taylor Johnson – Quicksilver/Pietro Maximoff
Played by Aaron-Taylor Johnson, Scarlet Witch’s twin brother, Pietro Maximoff, is known in the films as Quicksilver. Due to his superhuman speed, he earned the name. He first appears in Avengers: Age of Ultron, acting as one of the main characters in the film.
Aaron Taylor Johnson
Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther/T’Challa
T’Challa, AKA Black Panther, is the king of a fictional African country named Wakanda and is portrayed by Chadwick Boseman. He gets introduced in Captain America: Civil War, aiding Iron Man in his battle against Captain America. Later appearing in his solo film, Black Panther has many skills, with his powers coming from ingesting the heart-shaped herb. He also trains in hand-to-hand combat and develops advanced technology to aid him when fighting his enemies.
Chadwick Boseman
Sebastian Stan – The Winter Soldier/Bucky Barnes
Another super soldier, Bucky Barnes is played by Sebastian Stan in the MCU. Also called The Winter Soldier, Bucky starts out as Steve Rogers’ best friend before getting captured by Hydra and getting brainwashed, becoming an assassin for the fictional terrorist organization. His first appearance in the films is in Captain America: The First Avenger and his story unfolds from there.
Sebastian Stan
Zoe Saldana – Gamora
Portrayed by Zoe Saldana, Gamora is an orphaned alien who was adopted by Thanos and raised to become an assassin. One of the Guardians of the Galaxy, she meets the group in prison and escapes with them. Appearing in Guardians of the Galaxy for the first time, Gamora is also in the sequel as well as Avengers: Infinity War.
Zoe Saldana
Anthony Mackie – Falcon/Sam Wilson
A former pararescueman, Same Wilson, AKA Falcon, is played by Anthony Mackie in the MCU. Although he has no superpowers, he uses a pair of machine guns as his main weapons while flying a jetpack created with wings. Wilson was first introduced in Captain America: The Winter Soldier when he joins Captain America.
Anthony Mackie
Pom Klementieff – Mantis
A member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Mantis is known for having extreme empathetic powers. She is played by Pom Klementieff, appearing first in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2. She joins the Avengers in their fight against Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War.
Pom Klementieff
Evangeline Lilly – Wasp/Hope Van Dyne
The daughter of Hank Pym, the original Ant-Man, Hope Van Dyne takes on the role of the Wasp. Portrayed by Evangeline Lilly, the character is first introduced in Ant-Man and only becomes the Wasp in its sequel, Ant-Man and the Wasp.
Evangeline Lilly
Bradley Cooper – Rocket
Voiced by Bradley Cooper, Rocket first appears in Guardians of the Galaxy as a genetically altered raccoon who is a bounty hunter and mercenary. He comes up with the escape plan that frees him and the rest of the Guardians from the prison they’re in. Rocket appears in the sequel, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 as well as in Avengers: Infinity War.
Bradley Cooper
Tessa Thompson – Valkyrie
Portraying a legendary warrior of the Valkyrior, Tessa Thompson plays a Valkyrie dubbed “Scrapper 142” by the Grandmaster. Her first appearance is in Thor: Ragnarok, clearly not interested in helping Thor escape the planet they were trapped on. Throughout the film, she develops some respect for Thor and reluctantly helps him when Loki starts coming after her.
Tessa Thompson
Vin Diesel – Groot
A tree-like humanoid, Groot is voiced by Vin Diesel in the Marvel films. In Guardians of the Galaxy, he makes his first appearance as Rocket’s side-kick of sorts. In the sequel, he joins the Guardians along with Rocket to defeat Quill’s father, Ego. Also appearing in Avengers: Infinity War, Groot is one of the most popular characters in the franchise.
Vin Diesel
Michael Douglas – Ant-Man/Hank Pym
The original Ant-Man, Hank Pym is played by Michael Douglas in the MCU. He gets introduced in Ant-Man, later appearing in Ant-Man and the Wasp. A physicist, former S.H.I.E.L.D agent, and entomologist, Pym developed the Ant-Man technology that allowed him to shrink at will as well as gain immense strength.
Michael Douglas
Dave Bautista – Drax the Destroyer
A member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Drax the Destroyer is played by Dave Bautista. He first appears in Guardians of the Galaxy, having met the rest of the Guardians in prison and escaping along with them. Drax becomes part of the team, joining them in the sequel as well as in Avengers: Infinity War.
Dave Bautista
Karen Gillan – Nebula
Playing Gamora’s adopted sister, Karen Gillan portrays Nebula in the MCU. She first is introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy where she has a deep hatred towards Thanos and Gamora alike. She later becomes an ally to the Guardians, showing up in the sequel as well as in Avengers: Infinity War.
Karen Gillan
Jeff Goldblum – Grandmaster
Jeff Goldblum plays the Grandmaster in the MCU. The Grandmaster is a brother of the Collecter, who was featured in Guardians of the Galaxy. Grandmaster gets introduced in Thor: Ragnarok as he rules the planet Sakaar, which Thor lands on.
Jeff Goldblum
Danai Gurira – Okoye
Played by Danai Gurira, Okoye is the head of the Dora Milaje, an all-female special force in Wakanda. She first appears in Black Panther, and later is in Avengers: Infinity War.
Danai Gurira
Lupita Nyong’o – Nakia
Portrayed differently than her character in the comics, Nakia is played by Lupita Nyong’o in Black Panther. A member of the Dora Milaje, she comes back to Wakanda after becoming an international spy for the country. Her return is due to the passing of the king, T’Chaka.
