Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were in Marvel Projects

Many well known stars appeared in Marvel projects long before or after they became recognizable to the wider public. These roles often blend into larger ensembles which makes them easy to miss even for devoted fans. Some contributed brief cameos while others played fully developed characters that helped shape key plot points. Their appearances highlight how Marvel casts a wide range of performers across movies and series. Here are some celebrities whose involvement in Marvel projects might surprise you.

Harry Styles

Harry Styles appeared in a mid credits scene as Eros also known as Starfox and his role introduced a cosmic character connected to major galactic storylines. His appearance hinted at future interplanetary arcs involving new teams and expanded worldbuilding. The character carried important ties to powerful figures which left room for narrative growth. His involvement showcased Marvel’s interest in drawing musicians into larger cinematic frameworks.

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus voiced Mainframe in a brief appearance connected to the Ravagers. This character functioned as a mechanized presence within a scattered group of spacefaring allies. The role added technological flair to a sequence filled with returning figures from cosmic corners of the franchise. Her cameo also indicated Marvel’s interest in using recognizable voices to fill small but memorable futuristic roles.

Sylvester Stallone

Sylvester Stallone portrayed Stakar Ogord who held a respected leadership position among Ravager factions. His character influenced group decisions that shaped the direction of certain space based alliances. Stakar’s presence expanded the political dynamics of interplanetary communities. His appearance brought gravitas to a corner of Marvel storytelling built on loyalty and honor codes.

Alfre Woodard

Alfre Woodard appeared in both a film and a TV project within the Marvel world. In one project she played a grieving mother whose encounter with a superhero influenced major policy debates. In another she performed a different role that contributed to street level conflicts. Her involvement demonstrated how Marvel sometimes reused performers across separate continuities without narrative overlap.

Donald Glover

Donald Glover played Aaron Davis whose connection to a well known future hero subtly shaped expectations for potential storylines. His character participated in low level criminal activities but expressed concern for his younger family member. The scene emphasized community relationships that run parallel to larger hero narratives. His role provided a grounded human element within a high stakes environment.

Olivia Munn

Olivia Munn had a brief role as a television news reporter in an early Marvel project. Her appearance contributed background context to large scale events unfolding on screen. The character helped deliver public reactions that shaped how audiences perceived unfolding dangers. The cameo preceded her later work in other comic based properties.

Natalie Dormer

Natalie Dormer played a military typist during World War II who interacted briefly with a super soldier. Her scene illustrated the era’s military hierarchy and added depth to the environment surrounding the hero’s early missions. This moment helped convey the beginning of a public fascination with extraordinary individuals. Her appearance was quick yet helped enrich the historical setting.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon appeared as an Asgardian stage actor performing a theatrical retelling of major events. His character added comedy to scenes that explored how citizens interpreted the actions of their leaders. The performance highlighted cultural storytelling traditions within Asgard. His cameo brought a playful layer to otherwise serious shifts in the kingdom.

Ken Jeong

Ken Jeong appeared in a brief comedic role as a security guard in a school environment. His character interacted with younger heroes while dealing with everyday responsibilities. The appearance added humor to scenes that balanced heroic tension with ordinary life. It contributed to a grounded atmosphere during pivotal transitions.

Zachary Levi

Zachary Levi portrayed Fandral a member of the Warriors Three alongside the Asgardian prince. His character participated in missions that expanded the mythology of Asgard. Fandral contributed swashbuckling energy to battles involving ancient enemies. The role helped flesh out the supporting structure surrounding the royal family.

Benicio Del Toro

Benicio Del Toro played the Collector who assembled rare items within a vast cosmic archive. His character provided information about powerful artifacts crucial to future conflicts. The scenes emphasized the scale of intergalactic trade and ancient mystery. His role introduced audiences to worlds beyond Earth based threats.

Glenn Close

Glenn Close portrayed Nova Prime Rael who guided the Nova Corps’ political and military strategies. Her character worked to protect an entire planetary system from large scale invasions. She represented institutional authority within cosmic law enforcement. Her involvement strengthened the depiction of organized defense across the galaxy.

Seth Green

Seth Green voiced Howard the Duck who appeared in several brief scenes tied to intergalactic locations. The character added humor to crowded cantina style settings. His presence acknowledged Marvel’s earlier attempts at cinematic adaptations. The cameos also served as Easter eggs for longtime fans.

Bill Murray

Bill Murray appeared as a political figure from the Quantum Realm who interacted with a team of shrinking heroes. His character provided insight into local power dynamics and long standing disputes. The scenes revealed how relationships shaped governance in hidden worlds. His appearance expanded the lore of subatomic civilizations.

Jaimie Alexander

Jaimie Alexander portrayed Lady Sif an Asgardian warrior linked to missions across realms. She contributed to battles that defined the heritage of Asgard. Her character offered tactical support and acted as a trusted ally to the kingdom’s leadership. Her presence strengthened the portrayal of Asgard’s fighting forces.

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne played a scientist whose research explored advanced shrinking technology. His character had a complex history with other experts in the field. The role added academic rivalry and ethical debates to the storyline. His involvement deepened the scientific world that supported key inventions.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Julia Louis Dreyfus appeared as a strategic government connected figure recruiting enhanced individuals. Her character influenced covert operations and shifted alliances. The scenes hinted at significant future political maneuvers. Her role expanded the network of organizations operating behind the scenes.

Kate Mara

Kate Mara appeared as a U S Marshal assisting during an early superhero stakeout. Her character contributed procedural expertise to a high pressure security incident. She helped establish the tension between law enforcement and enhanced individuals. The appearance grounded the larger conflict in real world protocols.

Patton Oswalt

Patton Oswalt played multiple related characters in one Marvel television project. His portrayals added continuity to missions carried out by a specialized field team. The characters contributed technical knowledge and operational support. His involvement created a running thread throughout several episodes.

Stanley Tucci

Stanley Tucci portrayed the scientist responsible for guiding a young soldier through a life changing transformation. His character defined ethical standards for early experiments. The role emphasized mentorship and moral responsibility. His presence shaped the origin of a major hero.

Share your favorite surprising Marvel appearances in the comments.