All actors don’t get to play superheroes. Only a chosen few have the privilege of wearing a suit or donning a mask to play a superhero, which comes with a lot of responsibility and not everybody has succeeded in the process. Here’s a look at a bunch of actors who have played more than one superhero in their careers.
Ben Affleck: Daredevil and Batman
I have always considered Affleck as a mediocre actor (but a great writer and director) and when he was handed over the reins to play Marvel’s superhero “Daredevil”, I had my own doubts about the decision. As predicted, his superhero debut as a blind lawyer turned masked vigilante turned out to be a dud, disappointing comic book fans around the globe. Affleck’s luck with playing a superhero didn’t die with Daredevil, as he returns as Batman in Man of Steel sequel and Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Returns. Will lady luck shine on Affleck in one of the most loved and celebrated superhero characters on silver screen?
Chris Evans: The Human Torch and Captain America
Until “Fantastic Four”, Evans career was literally unknown to avid film buffs. It was after he transformed into the superhero The Human Torch, he gained little recognition as an actor. Unlike Affleck’s superhero debut, Marvel’s Fantastic Four was a commercially better film but was panned by critics. Evans career changed for good when he was roped in to play Captain America, a character in which he not only found stardom but was warmly embraced by fans.
Halle Berry: Catwoman and Storm
In 2004’s “Catwoman”, Halle Berry was introduced as superhero Catwoman, which had very little or no resemblance to the Batman character. The film or the role didn’t do any good to Halle Berry’s career as it turned out to be colossal flop. However, Berry found popularity as superhero character Storm from X-Men franchise. Berry as Storm has featured in the first three installments of the franchise, missing out in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class and The Wolverine. She will soon be seen in Bryan Singer’s X-Men: Days of the Future Past.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson: Kick-Ass and Quicksilver
I loved “Kick-Ass” because it was an inspiring and entertaining story of a real life teenager turned superhero. 23-year old Aaron Taylor-Johnson reprised the role of the superhero to perfection not once but twice. The commercial success of Kick-Ass eventually landed Aaron the golden opportunity to play superhero Quicksilver, son of Magneto, in Avengers: Age of Ultron. He was introduced as Quicksilver in the mid credits scene of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. There’s also a Quicksilver in X-Men: Days of the Future Past, but this role was essayed by Evan Peters.
Ellen Page: Shadowcat and Boltie
For all those who’ve watched the latest X-Men film, you’d understand the importance of Page’s character. She plays Shadowcat aka Kitty Pryde, who can help people go back in time with the help of her teleportation ability. She can also make anything she comes in contact with intangible and can even disrupt any electric field she passes through. Recently, she was also seen as a sidekick to a real life superhero called Super in the film of the same name.
Ryan Reynolds: Green Lantern and Deadpool
Ryan failed as Green Lantern as well as Deadpool. I would say at least the former was watchable vis-à-vis the latter, which was downright stupid. Ryan’s multi-million dollar film Green Lantern was a box-office disaster and he was badly panned by critics in the role. His role as Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine was superseded by the charismatic Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.
Nicolas Cage: Ghost Rider and Big Daddy
I hated both the Ghost Rider films but I loved them for the stunts and it was pretty cool to see a skeleton burning in fire riding a bike. Cage did find some popularity with his role as the daredevil biker with a curse. In Kick-Ass, Cage played a police officer-turned-real life superhero called Big Daddy. He is the first legitimate real-life superhero in the Kick Ass universe.
Other actors who played more than one superhero include Ray Stevenson (Punisher and Volstagg), Nathan Fillion (Captain Hammer and Green Lantern) and Dolph Lundgren (The Punisher and He-Man).