18 Actors Who Played Marvel Superheroes But Actually Started Their Careers In Teen Movies And Shows
Brie Larson, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, and many more were solving teen problems before moving on to saving the world.
Marvel stars often feel like they arrived fully formed, but plenty of them spent years in teen movies and TV before ever putting on a cape. That early work gave a lot of these actors their first big break, long before they became part of the MCU.
From sitcoms and coming-of-age films to cult favorites and teen dramas, the performers behind some of Marvel's biggest heroes and villains built their careers in projects that were very different from superhero blockbusters. The result is a surprisingly long list of familiar faces who were already working hard before Marvel made them household names.
Here are 18 Marvel actors whose careers started in teen favorites, and one bonus name that may surprise you too.
1. Sebastian Stan played Carter Baizen in Gossip Girl before becoming Bucky Barnes.
Walt Disney Studios /Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, The CW2. Brie Larson played Liz in Sleepover: The Movie before becoming Captain Marvel.
She was also a Six Chick in "13 Going on 30."
Walt Disney Studios /Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, MGM3. Chris Evans played Kyle in The Perfect Score before becoming Captain America.
Walt Disney /Courtesy Everett Collection, Paramount Pictures
4. Zoe Saldana played Eva Rodriguez in Center Stage: The Musical before becoming Gamora.
She was also "Maggie in Get Over It."
Walt Disney Studios /Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, Columbia Pictures
5. Mark Ruffalo played Matty Flamhaff in 13 Going on 30 before becoming The Hulk.
Walt Disney / Everett Collection, Sony Pictures
6. Scarlett Johansson played Francesca in The Perfect Score before becoming Black Widow.
Walt Disney Studios /Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, Paramount Pictures
7. Emily VanCamp played Amy Abbott in Everwood before becoming Sharon Carter.
Walt Disney Studios /Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, Paramount Pictures
Kaley Cuoco’s tense “Charmed” moment, when an A-list actress overlooked her on set, is basically Hollywood drama you can feel.
8. Paul Rudd played Josh in Clueless before becoming Ant-Man.
9. Sean Gunn played Kirk in Gilmore Girls before becoming Kraglin Obfonteri.
Walt Disney Studios /Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, The WB
10. Chris Pratt played Bright Abbott in Everwood before becoming Star-Lord.
Walt Disney Studios /Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, The WB
11. Jaimie Alexander was Jessi Hollander in Kyle XY before playing Lady Sif.
ABC / Courtesy Everett Collection, ABC Family
12. Bradley Cooper played Ben in Wet Hot American Summer: The Movie before becoming Rocket.
Walt Disney Studios /Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, USA Films
13. Tessa Thompson was Jackie Cooke in Veronica Mars before becoming Valkyrie.
Walt Disney Studios / Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, UPN
14. Gemma Chan played Ruth in Fresh Meat before she became Minn-Erva in Captain Marvel.
Walt Disney Studios / Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, Channe
15. Kat Dennings previously starred as Norah in Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist before becoming Darcy Lewis.
Walt Disney Studios / Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, Sony Pictures
16. Jake Gyllenhaal played Donnie in Donnie Darko before becoming Mysterio in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Marvel Studios / Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett Co / Everett Collection, Flower Films
17. Aaron Taylor-Johnson played Robbie in Angus, Thongs, and Perfect Snogging before becoming Quicksilver.
Walt Disney Studios / Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, Paramount Pictures
18. Michael B. Jordan played Vince Howard in Friday Night Lights before becoming Killmonger in Black Panther.
Walt Disney Studios / Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection, NBC
Fun fact: Did you know that Emily Blunt might have played Black Widow?
Though it's hard to envision anyone other than Scarlett Johansson playing Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow now, Emily Blunt has spoken out about how she auditioned for the role in the past. However, with the success of her film A Quiet Place, the actress stated that she does not regret not being cast in the film.
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