Actors You Probably Didn’t Know Were in DC Movies & Shows

The DC universe spans decades of cinema and television history involving countless productions beyond the core Justice League storylines. Many famous performers took on minor roles or starred in adaptations of lesser-known imprints like Vertigo before becoming household names. Fans often overlook these appearances because the actors were quite young or obscured by makeup and special effects during filming. This list explores ten talented individuals who contributed to DC projects long before they reached their current level of stardom.

Jon Favreau

Most audiences associate Jon Favreau with the Marvel Cinematic Universe as both a director and the character Happy Hogan. He actually stepped into the world of Gotham City years earlier with a brief appearance in Joel Schumacher’s ‘Batman Forever’. Favreau played an assistant at Wayne Enterprises who shows Bruce Wayne around the Edward Nygma work station. This cameo occurred significantly before he became a major Hollywood power player and filmmaker.

Taika Waititi

Taika Waititi is now a celebrated director and actor known for his unique comedic style in blockbuster superhero films. He played the role of Thomas Kalmaku in the 2011 film adaptation of ‘Green Lantern’ starring Ryan Reynolds. His character served as the best friend and confidant to Hal Jordan while providing technical support at Ferris Aircraft. Waititi has since joked about his involvement in the movie during various interviews and press tours.

Jack Gleeson

Jack Gleeson terrified television viewers around the world as the sadistic King Joffrey Baratheon in ‘Game of Thrones’. The Irish actor played a much more innocent character as a child in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Batman Begins’. He portrayed the young boy on the Narrows balcony who interacts with Batman and receives a periscope gadget from the hero. This brief but memorable scene helped establish the symbol of hope that Batman represented to the citizens of Gotham.

Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender earned critical acclaim for playing the complex mutant villain Magneto in the X-Men prequel franchise. He previously starred in the DC film adaptation ‘Jonah Hex’ as the psychopathic henchman named Burke. The character sported a bowler hat and facial tattoos while serving the main antagonist played by John Malkovich. Critics generally disliked the film but noted Fassbender’s committed and eccentric performance as a bright spot.

Chris Evans

Chris Evans became a global icon for his portrayal of Captain America and his leadership of the Avengers. He starred in the action comedy ‘The Losers’ which was based on a comic book series published by the DC imprint Vertigo. Evans played Jensen who serves as the team’s tech specialist and hacker with a lighthearted attitude. The film allowed him to display the charismatic energy that would later define his most famous superhero roles.

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana dominates the sci-fi genre with leading roles in major franchises like ‘Avatar’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. She appeared alongside Chris Evans in the comic book adaptation ‘The Losers’ as the mysterious operative Aisha. Her character acts as a dangerous enforcer who forms an uneasy alliance with the titular special forces team. This role showcased her aptitude for heavy action sequences and complex stunts.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman won an Academy Award for her dramatic work but also starred in a seminal DC Comics adaptation. She played Evey Hammond in ‘V for Vendetta’ which is based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. The actress famously shaved her head on camera to authentically portray her character’s traumatic imprisonment and transformation. The film remains a cult classic and a significant entry in the library of Vertigo film adaptations.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf was a rising star known for Disney Channel projects when he joined the cast of the supernatural thriller ‘Constantine’. He played Chas Kramer who serves as the youthful driver and apprentice to Keanu Reeves’ titular demonologist. The character provides comic relief and grounding for the more mystical elements of the story. LaBeouf brought an energetic eagerness to the role that contrasted well with the film’s dark tone.

Amy Adams

Amy Adams is widely recognized by DC fans for her portrayal of Lois Lane in the Snyderverse films starting with ‘Man of Steel’. She actually made her debut in the DC universe years earlier during the first season of the television show ‘Smallville’. Adams played Jodi Melville in an episode centered on a teenager who suffers from intense body image issues and absorbs fat from others. This early guest spot occurred long before she became an A-list actress and Oscar nominee.

Tilda Swinton

Tilda Swinton is known for her chameleon-like ability to disappear into eccentric and other-worldly characters. She portrayed the androgynous angel Gabriel in the 2005 film adaptation of ‘Constantine’. Her performance captured the ambiguity and moral complexity of a celestial being tired of humanity’s repeated failures. This role stands out as one of the most unique interpretations of biblical figures in comic book cinema.

Please tell us which of these appearances surprised you the most by leaving a note in the comments.