While Marvel Studios has a general policy of actors not playing multiple roles in the MCU, there are certain exceptions to this rule. Actors are usually cast for specific roles based on their ability to embody the character and contribute to the overall narrative of the story. In a franchise this big, it’s not surprising to see an actor playing multiple roles in the same or a different project.
Such actors initially appeared in minor roles before being offered more prominent characters within the same production or across other projects. Additionally, they also took on voice roles that allowed them to continue portraying the recurring character. While some eagle-eyed fans may have picked up on these dual performances, it’s easy to miss these subtle appearances. In that vein, here are some characters who have appeared in multiple roles in the MCU.
1. Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch is known for his performance as Stephen Strange in the MCU Phase 3 movie Doctor Strange. However, Strange isn’t the only character the actor portrayed in the film. Later on in the film, Cumberbatch voiced Dark Dimension villain Dormammu. Seeing as Dormammu was designed to be Strange’s evil reflection, Cumberbatch was the best man for the job. Now that the Multiverse of Madness teased Doctor Strange’s journey into the Dark Dimension, fans assume that Cumberbatch will be voicing Dormammu once again.
2. Damion Poitier
Damion Poitier portrayed the original Thanos in The Avengers post-credits scene. Sure, the actor was replaced later on by Josh Brolin. However, Poitier’s iconic performance is still remembered. Apart from appearing as Thanos, the actor was also seen in Captain America: Civil War as a Crossbones mercenary in Lagos.
3. Gemma Chan
Gemma Chan is known for her role as a celestial being in MCU’s The Eternals. The movie may have marked the first appearance of Sersi in the MCU. However, Chan is certainly not new to the franchise. In Captain Marvel, she was seen playing the character of Minn-Erva. Nevertheless, it is uncertain that she’ll ever be seen playing the blue-skinned character again. On the contrary, it is assumed that Chan will hit the big screens once again as Sersi in Eternals 2.
4. Matt Gerald
Matt Gerald‘s famous role was in Daredevil, portraying the unassuming tailor Melvin Potter. Altogether, he was a designer who created clothes for Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk. Needless to say, Marvel Cinematic Universe also had other plans for the actor. In the Marvel Studios’ All Hail The King, he played the role of a prison inmate who got into an altercation with Slattery. Both of the roles were relatively minor and not lead characters. However, playing Melvin Potter was a significantly larger opportunity than the Seagate Prison inmate.
5. Clancy Brown
Clancy Brown is famously known for his work in live-action acting and voiceovers. MCU took advantage of both of his abilities. Brown played the sinister role of The Blacksmith in The Punisher and Daredevil. Additionally, the character was heard in MCU’s Thor: Ragnarok, where he gave Surtur his voice. Although both roles had unique elements, playing The Blacksmith gave the actor more recognition than the Surtur voiceover.
6. Paul Bettany
Paul Bettany is no stranger to playing MCU superheroes. He’s played the role of Vision in multiple films and TV shows. However, before getting cast as the Vision, he voiced over Tony’s artificial assistant, JARVIS. In MCU’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, Vision emerged because of JARVIS. Vision is just a physical and independent portrayal of JARVIS. Needless to say, it makes it hard to believe that both are different characters.
7. Michelle Yeoh
Michelle Yeoh played Aleta Ogord in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which was just a character cameo. Ogord was just there to tease the original Guardians of the Galaxy team that appeared in Marvel Comics. Her breakthrough role was in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The main highlight of the film was her portrayal of Ying Nan as one of the guardians of the mystical dimensions of Ta Lo.
8. Peter Mensah
Peter Mensah was first seen in The Incredible Hulk as General Joe Geller. The character was tasked to hunt down and capture the Hulk alongside General Thaddeus Ross. The actor also appeared in the MCU in Agents Of SHIELD as Qovas. This performance was relatively larger than his previous role. He was the leader of the Confederacy, trying to get his hands of Gravitonium.
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