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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- What counts as a superhero/super-villain
- 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:
- A character with enhanced (Captain America) or magical (Thor/Dr. Strange) abilities.
- 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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