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Superstars who have not been Superheroes

a-list-non-super-superheros
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It seems like nearly every A-list actor these days has been a superhero in some movie or TV show. But that got me to thinking: which star actors haven’t portrayed a superhero/villain?

To answer this question, we’ll need to do two things:

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  1. What counts as a superhero/super-villain
  2. Decide who the movie stars are to consider.

What counts as a superhero?

This is indeed tricky, but I’ll try to make this simple. Here goes:

  1. A character with enhanced (Captain America) or magical (Thor/Dr. Strange) abilities.
  2. Any character that suits up to fight with or against characters who meet criteria #1.

To me, the real debate comes down to characters like Black Widow and Hawkeye vs John Wick or Ethan Hunt. I would say that Black Widow and Hawkeye are superheroes because they fight alongside and against other superheroes. On the other hand, Wick and Hunt exist in universes that lack any #1 characters, so they don’t qualify.

One other caveat: it has to be a live performance. Voicing a superhero for CGI, such as Bradley Cooper as Rocket, or for animated movies doesn’t count as playing a superhero.

Who are the movie stars?

There’s no such thing as a definitive list of current movie stars. However, I consulted with a number of lists and compiled their responses into the table below. Argue with me if you want in the comments if you think I included someone who shouldn’t be there, or left someone out. And I can promise you, I left out plenty. But the list is long enough.

Actor Name Superhero Status Role(s) & Analytical Notes
Adam Sandler No Role: Zohan Dvir in You Don’t Mess with the Zohan (2008). The film is a satirical action-comedy, not superhero fiction under the Genre-Context Rule. Was considered for Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy.
Adam Driver Yes You can argue with me in the comments, but I firmly believe that Jedi/Sith belong in the superhero/super-villain category.
Alicia Silverstone Yes Role: Barbara Wilson / Batgirl in Batman & Robin (1997). A costumed, heroic partner to Batman within a DC superhero film.
Amy Adams No Role: Lois Lane in Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman (2016), Justice League (2017/2021). Lane is a primary character in a superhero universe but is not a costumed hero herself. She does not fit the “Black Widow” exception.
Angelina Jolie Yes Role: Thena in Eternals (2021). A super-powered, immortal warrior who is a core member of the titular superhero team in an MCU film.
Anne Hathaway Yes Role: Selina Kyle / Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises (2012). A costumed anti-heroine and key figure in a DC superhero film.
Anthony Mackie Yes Role: Sam Wilson / Falcon / Captain America in multiple MCU films and series. A core member of the Avengers.
Anya Taylor-Joy Yes Role: Illyana Rasputin / Magik in The New Mutants (2020). A super-powered mutant and core member of the titular team in a Marvel film.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Yes Role: Dr. Victor Fries / Mr. Freeze in Batman & Robin (1997). A primary, costumed supervillain in a DC superhero film.
Austin Butler No N/A
Ben Affleck Yes Roles: Matt Murdock / Daredevil in Daredevil (2003); Bruce Wayne / Batman in multiple DCEU films. Multiple starring roles as iconic superheroes in both Marvel and DC properties.
Benedict Cumberbatch Yes Role: Dr. Stephen Strange in multiple MCU films. A core MCU hero.
Brad Pitt No No, I didn’t forget Brad’s one-second cameo as The Vanisher in Deadpool 2 (2018). That wasn’t a role. It was a cameo. One of the best cameos ever. I would be more willing to strip Brad Pitt’s superhero virginity after his portrayal of Achilles in Troy. 
Bradley Cooper No Yes, he’s the voice of Rocket Raccoon in the Guardians of the Galaxy, but voice acting doesn’t count. Neither does is cameo as Jor-El in Superman (2025).
Brie Larson Yes Role: Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel in multiple MCU films. A core MCU hero.
Cameron Diaz No Role: Tina Carlyle in The Mask (1994). The film is a supernatural comedy based on a comic, but it does not fit the superhero genre criteria and she wasn’t a costumed character anyway.
Cate Blanchett Yes Role: Hela in Thor: Ragnarok (2017). The primary, god-like supervillain in an MCU film.
Channing Tatum Yes Role: Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). A cameo as the popular X-Men character.
Charlize Theron Yes Roles: Clea in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022); Mary Embrey in Hancock (2008). A post-credits cameo as a major Marvel sorceress and a co-starring role as a secret superheroine.
Chris Evans Yes Roles: Johnny Storm / Human Torch in Fantastic Four (2005/2007); Steve Rogers / Captain America in multiple MCU films. Iconic roles as two separate major Marvel superheroes.
Chris Hemsworth Yes Role: Thor in multiple MCU films. A core member of the Avengers.
Chris Pratt Yes Role: Peter Quill / Star-Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise (MCU). A core MCU hero.
Christian Bale Yes Roles: Bruce Wayne / Batman in The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012); Gorr the God Butcher in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). Played an iconic DC hero and a major MCU villain.
Cillian Murphy Yes Role: Dr. Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow in The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012). A recurring supervillain in a DC superhero franchise.
Daniel Craig No N/A
Daniel Radcliffe No N/A
Dave Bautista Yes Role: Drax the Destroyer in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise (MCU). A core member of the superhero team.
Denzel Washington No N/A
Don Cheadle Yes Role: James “Rhodey” Rhodes / War Machine in multiple MCU films. A core member of the Avengers.
Dwayne Johnson Yes Role: Teth-Adam / Black Adam in Black Adam (2022). The titular super-powered anti-hero in a DCEU film.
Eddie Murphy No N/A
Edward Norton Yes Role: Bruce Banner / The Hulk in The Incredible Hulk (2008). Starred as the titular MCU hero before the role was recast.
Elizabeth Olsen Yes Role: Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch in multiple MCU films and series. A core MCU character.
Emma Stone No Role: Gwen Stacy in The Amazing Spider-Man films (2012, 2014). A primary character in a superhero universe but not a costumed hero herself.
Emma Watson No N/A
Ewan McGregor Yes Role: Roman Sionis / Black Mask in Birds of Prey (2020). The primary, non-powered but larger-than-life supervillain in a DCEU film. His role as Obi-wan Kenobi in Star Wars.
Florence Pugh Yes Role: Yelena Belova / Black Widow in Black Widow (2021) and other MCU projects. A highly skilled spy operating within the superhero context.
Gal Gadot Yes Role: Diana Prince / Wonder Woman in multiple DCEU films. The iconic DC superheroine.
Gary Oldman No Role: Commissioner James Gordon in The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012). A key ally in a superhero universe but not a costumed hero.
George Clooney Yes Role: Bruce Wayne / Batman in Batman & Robin (1997). Starred as the iconic DC superhero.
Gwyneth Paltrow Yes Role: Pepper Potts / Rescue in multiple MCU films. Eventually donned her own powered suit of armor and participated in the final battle of Avengers: Endgame.
Halle Berry Yes Role: Ororo Munroe / Storm in the X-Men film series. An iconic Marvel mutant and superheroine.
Harrison Ford Yes Role: Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in Captain America: Brave new World (2025) and Thunderbolts (2025). A key military figure in the MCU who becomes the Red Hulk in the comics.
Henry Cavill Yes Role: Clark Kent / Superman in multiple DCEU films. The iconic DC superhero.
Hugh Jackman Yes Role: James “Logan” Howlett / Wolverine in the X-Men film series and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). Holds the record for the longest career as a live-action Marvel superhero.
Idris Elba Yes Roles: Heimdall in the Thor franchise (MCU); Robert DuBois / Bloodsport in The Suicide Squad (2021). Played a god-like Asgardian and a super-powered mercenary.
Ian McKellen Yes Role: Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto in the X-Men film series. The iconic Marvel mutant supervillain/anti-hero.
Jack Black No N/A
Jake Gyllenhaal Yes Role: Quentin Beck / Mysterio in Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019). The primary supervillain in an MCU film.
James McAvoy Yes Role: Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men prequel series. The leader of the X-Men.
Jamie Foxx Yes Role: Max Dillon / Electro in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). A primary supervillain. Also starred in Project Power (2020), which fits the genre criteria.
Jason Momoa Yes Role: Arthur Curry / Aquaman in multiple DCEU films. The iconic DC superhero.
Jason Statham No N/A
Jeff Bridges Yes Role: Obadiah Stane / Iron Monger in Iron Man (2008). The first primary supervillain of the MCU.
Jennifer Aniston No N/A
Jennifer Connelly No She plays Betty Ross in Hulk (2003), but isn’t a costumed character. She is also voiced Karen / Suit Lady in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017), the AI in Spider-Man’s suit, but voice acting doesn’t disqualify her.
Jennifer Garner Yes Role: Elektra Natchios in Daredevil (2003) and Elektra (2005). Starred as the titular Marvel anti-heroine.
Jennifer Lawrence Yes Role: Raven Darkhölme / Mystique in the X-Men prequel series. A core mutant character.
Jeremy Renner Yes Role: Clint Barton / Hawkeye in multiple MCU films and series. A core member of the Avengers.
Jessica Chastain Yes Role: Vuk / Margaret Smith in Dark Phoenix (2019). The primary alien supervillain.
Jim Carrey Yes Role: Stanley Ipkiss in The Mask (1994); Edward Nygma / The Riddler in Batman Forever (1995). While The Mask is borderline, his role as a primary, costumed supervillain in a Batman film is definitive.
Joaquin Phoenix Yes Role: Arthur Fleck / Joker in Joker (2019). The titular character in a deconstructionist superhero-genre film focusing on a supervillain’s origin.
John Travolta Yes Role: Howard Saint in The Punisher (2004). The primary, non-powered antagonist in a Marvel film.
Johnny Depp No N/A
Jude Law Yes Role: Yon-Rogg in Captain Marvel (2019). A primary antagonist and Kree commander in an MCU film.
Julia Roberts No N/A
Julianne Moore No She plays Poppy Adams in Kingsman: The Golden Circle (2017). The primary supervillain but there are no enhanced individuals in the story.
Kate Winslet No N/A
Keanu Reeves Yes Role: John Constantine in Constantine (2005). A DC Comics character.
Kevin Costner No Role: Jonathan Kent in Man of Steel (2013). Superman’s adoptive father. Not a superhero.
Kevin Hart No N/A
Kristen Stewart No This is borderline: Snow White in Snow White and the Huntsman (2012) has enhanced abilities, sort’a. I’m going to let her slide on this one. It’s more fantasy than superhero.
Kurt Russell Yes Role: Ego in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017). A Celestial and the primary supervillain of the MCU film.
Leonardo DiCaprio No N/A
Laurence Fishburne Yes Roles: Dr. Bill Foster in Ant-Man and the Wasp.
Liam Neeson Yes Roles: Peyton Westlake / Darkman in Darkman (1990); Ra’s al Ghul in Batman Begins (2005). Starred as an original superhero and played a primary supervillain in a DC film.
Lupita Nyong’o Yes Role: Nakia in Black Panther (2018) and Wakanda Forever (2022). A highly skilled spy and warrior operating within the superhero context of Wakanda.
Mahershala Ali Yes Role: Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes in Luke Cage (2016-2018); Voice of Aaron Davis / Prowler in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018); Cast as Eric Brooks / Blade in the upcoming MCU film Blade. Multiple roles, including a confirmed future leading superhero role.
Margot Robbie Yes Role: Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn in multiple DCEU films. An iconic DC character.
Mark Ruffalo Yes Role: Bruce Banner / The Hulk in multiple MCU films. A core member of the Avengers.
Mark Wahlberg No N/A
Matt Damon No Role: Asgardian Actor playing Loki in Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). A cameo playing an actor within the film, not a superhero himself. His uncredited cameo in Deadpool 2 as “Redneck #1” is not a superhero role.
Matthew McConaughey No He is the voice of Cowboypool in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). A brief voice cameo as a Deadpool variant from the Marvel comics. Neither of this break his superhero virginity.
Mel Gibson No N/A
Meryl Streep No N/A
Michael B. Jordan Yes Roles: Johnny Storm / Human Torch in Fantastic Four (2015); Erik Killmonger in Black Panther (2018). Played both a Marvel hero and an iconic MCU villain.
Michael Douglas Yes Role: Dr. Hank Pym in the Ant-Man franchise (MCU). The original Ant-Man who serves as a mentor and participates in action sequences.
Michael Fassbender Yes Role: Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto in the X-Men prequel series. The iconic Marvel mutant supervillain/anti-hero.
Michael Keaton Yes Roles: Bruce Wayne / Batman in Batman (1989) and Batman Returns (1992); Adrian Toomes / Vulture in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017). Played an iconic DC hero and a primary MCU villain.
Michelle Pfeiffer Yes Role: Selina Kyle / Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992); Janet van Dyne / Wasp in the Ant-Man franchise (MCU). Played an iconic DC anti-heroine and a Marvel superheroine.
Michelle Rodriguez No N/A
Morgan Freeman No Role: Lucius Fox in The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005-2012). A key ally and gadget-maker, but not a costumed hero. Played Sloan in Wanted (2008), which is based on a comic but is more of an action-thriller
Natalie Portman Yes Role: Jane Foster / The Mighty Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder (2022). Transitioned from a supporting character to a full-fledged superhero with powers.
Nicolas Cage Yes Roles: Johnny Blaze / Ghost Rider in Ghost Rider (2007) and Spirit of Vengeance (2011); Big Daddy in Kick-Ass (2010); Voice of Spider-Man Noir in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018); Voice of Superman in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018); Cameo as Superman in The Flash (2023). Multiple roles across various superhero properties.
Nicole Kidman Yes Roles: Dr. Chase Meridian in Batman Forever (1995); Queen Atlanna in Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023). While Meridian is a supporting character, Queen Atlanna is a royal warrior with superhuman abilities who engages in major action sequences.
Oscar Isaac Yes Roles: En Sabah Nur / Apocalypse in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016); Voice of Spider-Man 2099 in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018); Marc Spector / Moon Knight in Moon Knight (2022).
Paul Rudd Yes Role: Scott Lang / Ant-Man in multiple MCU films. A core MCU hero.
Pedro Pascal Yes Role: Maxwell Lord in Wonder Woman 1984 (2020); Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic in The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025). Played a major DC supervillain and is cast as a leading MCU superhero.
Ralph Fiennes No His role as Hades in Clash of the Titans is mythological, not superhero fiction.
Robert De Niro No Role: Murray Franklin in Joker (2019). A supporting character in a supervillain origin story.
Robert Downey Jr. Yes Role: Tony Stark / Iron Man in multiple MCU films. The foundational hero of the MCU. Set to play Doctor Doom in upcoming Avengers films.
Robert Pattinson Yes Role: Bruce Wayne / Batman in The Batman (2022). The titular DC superhero.
Ryan Gosling No N/A
Ryan Reynolds Yes Roles: Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity (2004); Hal Jordan / Green Lantern in Green Lantern (2011); Wade Wilson / Deadpool in the Deadpool franchise. Multiple superhero roles, most iconically Deadpool.
Salma Hayek Yes Role: Ajak in Eternals (2021). The super-powered leader of the titular superhero team in an MCU film.
Samuel L. Jackson Yes Role: Nick Fury in multiple MCU films and series; Voice of Lucius Best / Frozone in The Incredibles franchise. A foundational character in the MCU and a popular animated superhero.
Sandra Bullock No N/A
Scarlett Johansson Yes Role: Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in multiple MCU films. A core member of the Avengers.
Seth Rogen Yes Role: Britt Reid / The Green Hornet in The Green Hornet (2011). The titular masked crime-fighter.
Shia LaBeouf No N/A
Sigourney Weaver Yes Role: Alexandra Reid in The Defenders (2017). The primary antagonist leading The Hand in the Marvel television series.
Sylvester Stallone Yes Roles: Judge Dredd in Judge Dredd (1995); Stakar Ogord in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise (MCU); Joe Smith / Samaritan in Samaritan (2022). Multiple roles as comic book and original superheroes.
Tilda Swinton Yes Role: The Ancient One in Doctor Strange (2016) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). The Sorcerer Supreme and a powerful mentor figure in the MCU.
Timothée Chalamet No N/A
Tom Cruise No N/A
Tom Hanks No N/A
Tom Hardy Yes Roles: Bane in The Dark Knight Rises (2012); Eddie Brock / Venom in the Venom franchise. Played an iconic DC supervillain and a leading Marvel anti-hero.
Tom Hiddleston Yes Role: Loki in multiple MCU films and series. A core MCU character.
Tom Holland Yes Role: Peter Parker / Spider-Man in multiple MCU films. The current live-action Spider-Man.
Tommy Lee Jones Yes Roles: Harvey Dent / Two-Face in Batman Forever (1995); Colonel Chester Phillips in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). Played a primary DC supervillain and a key supporting character in an MCU origin story.
Vin Diesel Yes Roles: Voice of Groot in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise (MCU); Ray Garrison / Bloodshot in Bloodshot (2020). A core MCU hero and the titular hero of a Valiant Comics adaptation.
Viola Davis Yes Role: Amanda Waller in multiple DCEU films and series. The formidable, non-powered mastermind behind the Suicide Squad. Fits the “Nick Fury” archetype of a non-costumed but central genre figure.
Will Ferrell Yes Role: Voice of Megamind in Megamind (2010). The titular character in an animated film that satirizes and engages with superhero genre tropes, eventually becoming a hero.
Will Smith Yes Roles: John Hancock in Hancock (2008); Floyd Lawton / Deadshot in Suicide Squad (2016). Starred as an original, deconstructionist superhero and a leading member of a DC supervillain team.
Willem Dafoe Yes Roles: Norman Osborn / Green Goblin in the Spider-Man franchise; Nuidis Vulko in the Aquaman franchise. Played an iconic Marvel supervillain and a key Atlantean mentor in the DCEU.
Woody Harrelson Yes Role: Cletus Kasady / Carnage in Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021). The primary supervillain in a Marvel film.
Zendaya No Role: Michelle “MJ” Jones-Watson in the MCU Spider-Man films. A primary character in a superhero universe but not a costumed hero herself.
Zoe Saldaña Yes Role: Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise (MCU). A core member of the superhero team.

The Finalists: A-Listers Who Have Never Worn the Cape

Distilling the data from the comprehensive roster in Part II yields a surprisingly exclusive list of Hollywood titans who have, to date, abstained from participating in a live-action superhero genre film. These are the actors who form the core of this investigation—the true holdouts in an industry saturated by comic book adaptations. While many A-listers have appeared in supporting roles or as non-powered allies within these universes, this list represents those who have not played a superhero, supervillain, or a non-powered but central heroic figure in a superhero movie.

The most prominent members of this elite club include:

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  • Amy Adams
  • Adam Sandler
  • Austin Butler
  • Bradley Cooper
  • Brad Pitt
  • Cameron Diaz
  • Daniel Craig
  • Daniel Radcliffe
  • Denzel Washington
  • Eddie Murphy
  • Emma Stone
  • Emma Watson
  • Gary Oldman
  • Jack Black
  • Jason Statham
  • Jennifer Aniston
  • Jennifer Connelly
  • Johnny Depp
  • Julia Roberts
  • Kate Winslet
  • Kevin Costner
  • Kevin Hart
  • Kristen Stewart
  • Leonardo DiCaprio
  • Mark Wahlberg
  • Matthew McConaughey
  • Mel Gibson
  • Meryl Streep
  • Michelle Rodriguez
  • Morgan Freeman
  • Ralph Fiennes
  • Robert De Niro
  • Ryan Gosling
  • Sandra Bullock
  • Shia LaBeouf
  • Timothée Chalamet
  • Tom Cruise
  • Tom Hanks
  • Zendaya

Suggested Superhero/Super Villain roles for each unsupered actor

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