The MCU has introduced many amazing actors to mainstream audiences. However, these performers have appeared in many lesser-known or forgotten films prior to joining the MCU, ranging from indies to Oscar bait.
Some of these films are more known than others. However, all of them contain a memorable performance from an MCU actor that comic book buffs will have to check out if they haven't done so already.
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Jeremy Renner has really grown as the character Hawkeye, first seen in a cameo in the first Thor film and now headlining his own show titled Hawkeye, but the talented actor has appeared in several other notable roles prior to joining the MCU. Among Renner's earliest roles, his turn as a rooftop sniper in the modern zombie sequel 28 Weeks Later, is one of the most memorable and different from other performances the actor has given later on in his career.
28 Weeks Later, which is the sequel to Danny Boyle's 28 Days Later, tells the story of a post-apocalyptic future where a now-contained zombie virus breaks out again after two siblings begin a search to find their mother. This sequel is usually held in higher regard than its predecessor by horror fans and provides a rare occasion for seeing Renner in a horror film, as well as other actors like Rose Byrne and Imogen Poots in early roles. Renner delivers as an exciting hero in this film, foreshadowing the roles he would take in the future.
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Tom Holland has taken the reins over from Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man, and he and Zendaya became quite a power couple, but some fans don't realize the young star was also a child actor back in the day. Holland played the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical in London before making his feature film debut opposite Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor in the true-life disaster drama, The Impossible.
The Impossible is inspired by the real-life experiences of María Belón and her family during the tragic Indian Ocean tsunami that occurred in December of 2004. The film is harrowing but rewarding, and Holland packs a huge punch in his performance as a young boy searching for the rest of his family while tending to his injured mother and another little boy they found along the way. Watching The Impossible back when it was first released in 2012 would probably make most audience members assume Holland was going to be a huge star in the future - and for good reason.
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Paul Rudd was a popular comedic actor long before his turn as Ant-Man in the MCU, but some of his movies are more underrated than others. The hilarious I Love You, Man, which was well-received at the time of its initial release in 2009 but seems to be starting to fall into obscurity, is a movie that showcases Rudd's natural talent that led him to start portraying Ant-Man.
I Love You, Man tells the clever story of an engaged man named Peter who realizes he has no male friends to be his best man at his upcoming wedding. After going on several “man dates," Peter meets the intriguing Sydney (Jason Segel), and a true bromance is born. I Love You, Man is a deconstruction of the romantic comedy, and is brought to life by Rudd and Segel's undeniable chemistry. I Love You, Man may not even be one of Rudd's earliest roles, but it's a movie that demands to be seen if you haven't already.
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The late, great Chadwick Boseman may be most remembered for playing Black Panther, but he also had a series of starring roles before playing his most famous character. Boseman started getting recognition when he starred as legendary baseball player Jackie Robinson in the 2013 biopic 42, but another incredible starring role just one year later has been fairly overlooked. This is, of course, in reference to his turn as iconic singer James Brown in the film Get on Up.
Boseman gives an incredible performance in the film that really emulates the singer. Boseman received lots of praise from critics for his portrayal of Brown and his star power began to grow, but nowadays, the exciting portrayal of a classic performer is fairly underappreciated.
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Chris Pratt may now be an action star known for his six-pack abs and starring as Star-Lord in the MCU, but he started out as a comedic actor who portrayed lazy, out-of-shape characters and had a similar schtick to Seth Rogen. However, this change in his career didn't happen overnight, and it seems that 2011's sports drama Moneyball was a sort of middle ground between new and old Chris Pratt.
Moneyball stars Brad Pitt as Oakland A's general manager Billy Beane and tells the story of how Beane computer-generated analysis to enlist new players for the team. Pitt and Jonah Hill may have gotten a lot of buzz for their performances, but Pratt's layered approach to playing baseball player Scott Hatteberg may be the reason the actor is enjoying the career he has today.
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Robert Downey Jr. is an iconic actor who had a long career way before he stepped into the role of Iron Man in the MCU starting in 2008. After his career suffered due to substance abuse problems in the '90s, Downey Jr. had a resurgence in the mid-2000s with films like Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang and Zodiac, but his turn as an alcoholic high school principal in the 2007 teen dramedy Charlie Bartlett is one of his most underrated performances to date.
Charlie Bartlett stars the late, great Anton Yelchin as a teenager beyond his years who starts serving as a psychiatrist to his fellow students, listening to their problems and then selling them prescription drugs he obtained after being diagnosed with ADHD. Downey Jr. deals with harsh subject matter in this film that echoes his real-life struggles, resulting in a very authentic and touching supporting performance that came just a year before he became a legend in the comic book fandom.
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Elizabeth Olsen currently stars in the MCU as Scarlet Witch. However, few people realize she began her career with a 2011 festival darling, Martha Marcy May Marlene. In the film, which also stars Sarah Paulson and John Hawkes, Olsen plays a paranoid young woman who just escaped from a dangerous cult.
The film explores weighty themes such as brainwashing and shows a glimpse of a damaged psyche as Olsen's character's paranoid thoughts about being found by the cult increase. The audience is also presented with flashbacks that reveal exactly what the lead character of the film went through. Olsen's career was catapulted after this film, for which she received rave reviews and nominations for several prestigious awards including Best Female Lead at the Film Independent Spirit Awards and Breakthrough Actor at the Gotham Awards.
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Scarlett Johansson may have wrapped up her stint as Black Widow in the MCU, but it was undeniably one of her most beloved roles. However, the talented performer has appeared in many other films she should be more recognized for. Among these titles is the indie cult classic, Ghost World.
Based on a graphic novel by Daniel Clowes, Ghost World tells the colorful story of Enid (Thora Birch), whose relationship with her best friend Rebecca (Johansson) is tested when Enid starts to fall for a nerdy older man named Seymour (Steve Buscemi). The film was a hit with critics at the time of its theatrical release in 2001 and was given a 4-star review by Roger Ebert, but it wasn't until the last few years that audiences have begun to really appreciate the comedic coming-of-age film that is meant to look like a comic book. Johansson, who has played superheroes, an alien, and even an A.I., gives a rare performance among her other roles as a realistic portrayal of a fairly ordinary recent high school graduate. Aside from the film being relentlessly entertaining, any fan of Black Widow should be delighted by Johansson's deadpan delivery in this gem of a film.
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Chris Hemsworth may now be most known as the mighty god of thunder, Thor, but that doesn't mean he didn't sneak in some campy early roles along his journey. A Perfect Getaway is a mostly forgotten 2009 mystery thriller that features so much schlock that its entertainment value can't be denied. Further making this silly gem one to seek out, Hemsworth is featured in his second-ever film role as a supporting character who also happens to be pretty memorable.
A Perfect Getaway stars Milla Jovovich and Steve Zahn as a straight-laced seeming couple on their honeymoon in Hawaii. There is an unknown man and woman committing murders around the island and the friendly couple meets two sets of duos who both actually fit the description of the perpetrators. Spoiler alert: it turns out Jovovich and Zahn's characters are actually the killers in the end, even though of the two other couples, they seemed the least likely to be the culprits. Hemsworth plays one of half of one of the couples, but has the least amount of screentime out of the three people featured in the film. Despite this, Hemsworth gives an unsettling and impressive performance that shows the beginnings of the star power the acclaimed actor possesses on screen today.
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Mark Ruffalo plays the third cinematic incarnation of Hulk in the MCU, but hasn't starred in his own Hulk movie just yet. Before playing Hulk, the prolific actor has appeared in countless movies including Kenneth Lonergan's You Can Count On Me and fan-favorite romantic-comedy 13 Going on 30, but one great film the actor appeared in has seemed to fall off the radar as of late, and that film is Liza Cholodenko's The Kids Are All Right.
The Kids Are All Right stars Julianne Moore and Annette Benning as a married couple whose two kids seek out their sperm donor (Ruffalo) behind their moms' backs. The Kids Are All Right is notable for being one of the first mainstream movies to showcase a same-sex married couple with teenage children. Ruffalo delivers a heartfelt and raw performance as a caring man in a very complicated situation, and was nominated for best supporting actor at the 2011 Academy Awards. Viewers who check out this film will see a different side of Ruffalo than what they would see in the MCU.
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Sebastian Stan, who is most known for playing the beloved role of Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier in the MCU, is having a big moment right now by starring in acclaimed projects like Pam and Tommy and Fresh. Before his role in the MCU made him a household name, Stan appeared in an early role as a classic '80s villain in the 2010 throwback comedy, Hot Tub Time Machine.
Hot Tub Time Machine stars John Cusack and tells the story of four guys who travel back to the '80s in a hot tub. The comedy scored with critics and audiences alike, but Stan's performance was an unexpected stand-out. Blaine's stuck-up and pretentious attitude made him very memorable, especially with Stan's impressive delivery. Stan first played the character of Bucky Barnes in Captain America: The First Avenger one year after Hot Tub Time Machine's release, so perhaps Stan's performance in the comedy was one of the driving factors for him winning the famous role.
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Don Cheadle gained new fans when he joined the cast of Iron Man 2 as War Machine, but the actor had been giving jaw-dropping performances in film since the '80s. One of Cheadle's most acclaimed - but now mostly forgotten - performances is as Mouse in the 1995 noir Devil in a Blue Dress.
Devil in a Blue Dress stars Denzel Washington as a man who is accidentally caught up in a murder mystery involving politicians after being hired to track down a missing woman. Cheadle's performance as Washington's character's “anti-sidekick” was considered a scene-stealer.
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Chris Evans plays Captain America, who is arguably one of the most celebrated characters in the MCU, but that character is not the only notable performance from the heartthrob actor. After starring in the well-known parody Not Another Teen Movie, Evans took on the leading role in the little-known indie drama, London.
London stars Evans as a man who goes to a wild NYC party in order to win his girlfriend back, who is played by Evans's once real-life girlfriend Jessica Biel. The film also features action star Jason Statham playing against type. London came out right around the same time as Fantastic Four, which was when Evans really broke out as a leading man. His starring performance showcased heartbreak in a very true way, signifying the amazing career to come for Evans.
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Paul Bettany may be known for playing Vision in the MCU, but the actor has portrayed some pretty memorable humans throughout his career. One of the not-as-talked-about movies starring Bettany is Danish filmmaker Lars Von Trier's avant-garde drama, Dogville.
Dogville stars Nicole Kidman as Grace, a fugitive hiding in the town of Dogville who faces an uncertain future when the townspeople start to turn on her. The catch to Lars von Trier's experimental film is that it's shot entirely on a soundstage with very limited set design and props. Bettany plays the male lead and is riveting in a portrayal of someone who seems to be righteous but turns out to be just as inhuman as the others around him. While some people called the film pretentious, it was acclaimed by others - including filmmaker Quentin Tarantino - and was included in BBC's 2016 poll of the best films since 2000.
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15'Archipelago' (Tom Hiddleston)
Tom Hiddleston started off his career starring the work of Joanna Hogg, who directed A24's The Souvenir and its sequel. Long before appearing as Loki in the MCU, Hiddleston starred in the critically lauded sophomore film from Hogg, Archipelago.
Archipelago, which is Hiddleston's second film credit ever, stars the actor as a member of a family that begins to disintegrate during a trip to Sicily. The film was noted for its cinematic style and helped propel Hiddleston's career. Archipelago was released in 2010 and is one of Hiddleston's pre-Loki roles since the first Thor film was released in 2011.
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Brie Larson became a huge mainstream success after she won the role of Captain Marvel and starred in the movie based on the character back in 2019. However, before the actress became an icon in the MCU, she was already an acclaimed actress headlining well-received indies. Although 2015's Room may have won her an Oscar, the real defining role of her career may be the emotional 2013 drama Short Term 12.
Directed by future Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton, Short Term 12 tells the story of a staff member at a residential treatment facility for teens who struggles to juggle her work and her relationship with her boyfriend and co-worker. Larson received extensive praise for her leading role, earning her a nomination for Best Female Lead at the Independent Spirit Award. Short Term 12 was hailed by many critics as the best movie of 2013.
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Zoe Saldaña is renowned by many Marvel fans for her portrayal of Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, but the actress actually has a much lengthier filmography than some MCU fans may have initially thought. Saldaña has appeared in popular films like Crossroads and Avatar prior to Guardians of the Galaxy, but not many people know about her shocking performance in the dark anthology movie Burning Palms.
Happy Death Day and Freaky director Christopher Landon's 2010 directorial debut, Burning Palms, is described as “Five Stories That Will Mess You Up for Life,” and rightfully so. The theme of the satirical film seems to be the dark side of Los Angeles, and Saldaña appears in the last and possibly darkest story as Sarah Cotton, a woman who begins a strange and uncomfortable relationship with a man who assaults her. The film has been somewhat forgotten since its limited release, but anyone who can stomach its dark satire will appreciate Saldaña's nuanced and calculating performance that foreshadows the great work she had to come.
Underrated?Benedict Cumberbatch plays Doctor Strange in the MCU, who got his first standalone sequel film in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in 2022, and has acted in some other very well-done films that don't get as much attention. While Cumberbatch became known after his Oscar-nominated turn as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game, the actor has starred in some more underseen films, including the 2013 Julian Assange biopic, The Fifth Estate.
The film, which was based on the book Inside WikiLeaks: My Time with Julian Assange at the World's Most Dangerous Website by Daniel Domscheit-Berg, tells the true story of the rise and fall of WikiLeaks. The film, which Assange called a “massive propaganda attack,” was not particularly well-received by critics, but Cumberbatch's performance was highly praised. Cumberbatch's talent was on full display in the film, which makes it a must-watch for massive Doctor Strange fans.
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Anthony Mackie, who currently stars as the Falcon in the MCU, once starred in an underappreciated Spike Lee joint early in his career. That film is 2004's She Hate Me.
Long before Mackie headlined Disney+'s miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, he starred in the strange comedy directed by a filmmaking legend, which follows Jack, a biotech executive who loses his job and begins a business impregnating lesbian women who dream to be mothers after an encounter with his ex Fatima (Kerry Washington). The film bombed at the box office but Mackie was praised, earning himself a nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance at the Black Reel Awards. Considering Mackie's impressive career currently, that nomination certainly makes a lot of sense.
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