Ryan Reynolds led 2011's Green Lantern, a DC project that quickly turned into one of the industry's favorite punchlines, something Reynolds himself has happily joked about ever since. He found his perfect role on the Marvel side as Deadpool, transforming the wisecracking antihero into a full-blown cultural phenomenon. That early stumble only made the eventual mutant triumph feel that much sweeter, a redemption arc he's leaned into with obvious glee. | © Walt Disney Pictures
Rounding out that same DC ensemble, Chris Evans played the wisecracking tech expert Jensen in 2010's The Losers. A year later he pulled on the star-spangled suit as Captain America in The First Avenger, kicking off one of the most beloved arcs in the entire MCU. Going from an ensemble player to a franchise cornerstone he'd carry for over a decade is about as big a leap as the genre offers. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Ben Affleck headlined 2003's Daredevil, a Marvel adaptation that drew mixed reviews at the time but has since taken on a certain cult status. More than a decade later he stepped into the cape and cowl as Batman in Batman v Superman, taking on one of the most iconic figures in all of comics. Few actors get the chance to anchor a major character in both universes, let alone leave such a distinct mark on each. | © 20th Century Studios
Zoe Saldaña appeared in 2010's The Losers alongside Idris Elba, taking part in that same under-the-radar DC adaptation. Four years later, she became Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, growing into one of Marvel's most beloved cosmic heroes across multiple films. Her knack for anchoring sprawling ensemble casts has made her a go-to presence in some of the biggest franchises around. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Idris Elba turned up in 2010's The Losers, a DC-published comic adaptation that largely flew under the radar. He found a far more visible comic-book home at Marvel as Heimdall, the all-seeing guardian of the Bifrost across the Thor films. His commanding presence and sheer physical stature tend to elevate every scene he's in, whatever universe it belongs to. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Natalie Portman helped create a cult favorite with 2005's V for Vendetta, a film that became an unlikely political rallying point in the years that followed. She later joined Marvel as Jane Foster in the Thor series, eventually evolving from a supporting scientist into a hero in her own right in Thor: Love and Thunder. Having an Oscar winner of her caliber move between both worlds lends each a certain artistic legitimacy. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
A small DC role in 2010's Jonah Hex sits as an easily missed footnote in Michael Fassbender's early career. His real comic-book legacy lives on the Marvel side as Magneto, a role he took over in X-Men: First Class and turned into one of the franchise's defining performances. Watching him go from that minor footprint to a genuinely iconic mutant makes the trajectory especially satisfying. | © 20th Century Studios
James Marsden had already made his mark as Cyclops in Marvel's X-Men trilogy, helping anchor one of the most influential superhero ensembles of its era. He then joined DC's nostalgia-heavy revival as Richard White in 2006's Superman Returns. Bouncing between two enormous cinematic mythologies in the same decade, he managed to feel right at home in each. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Tim Robbins built a celebrated career on prestige dramas like The Shawshank Redemption, which makes his occasional comic-book detours feel pleasantly odd. He turned up early on as Phil Blumburtt in Marvel's notorious 1986 misfire Howard the Duck, then resurfaced decades later as Senator Hammond in DC's Green Lantern in 2011. Bookending those two roles around such a serious body of work gives his filmography a fun bit of unexpected range. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Josh Brolin starred in the title role of 2010's Jonah Hex, a DC Western adaptation that came and went without leaving much of a mark. He fared considerably better on the Marvel side, voicing and performing Thanos across the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers films to become one of the most era-defining villains the genre has produced. The gulf between the forgotten flop and the franchise-dominating titan is a pretty rich bit of irony. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Hugo Weaving delivered a fan-favorite performance as the masked revolutionary V in 2005's V for Vendetta, cementing his place in a cult political sci-fi touchstone. Six years later, he turned to Marvel as the Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger, kicking off the MCU's first big-screen villain with real menace. He commands both comic-book worlds with the kind of voice and presence few actors can match. | © Walt Disney Pictures
Quiet elegance defined Tao Okamoto's portrayal of Mariko in 2013's The Wolverine, where she held her own opposite Hugh Jackman in one of the more grounded Marvel solo films. Three years later, she crossed over to DC as Mercy Graves in Batman v Superman. Her presence in both spoke to the increasingly global casting reach that modern comic-book films rely on. | © 20th Century Fox
Laurence Fishburne brought instant prestige to DC's relaunched mythology as Perry White in Man of Steel and Batman v Superman. On the Marvel side, he lent his voice to the cosmic Silver Surfer, proving his reach extends well beyond live action. His name has long signaled major-event casting, the kind of presence studios bring in when they want to add weight to a universe. | © Warner Bros. Pictures
Known for her sharp indie credibility, Parker Posey's blockbuster detours have always felt enjoyably unexpected. She played Danica Talos in 2004's Blade: Trinity during Marvel's scrappy pre-MCU days, then turned up as Kitty Kowalski in 2006's Superman Returns. Her offbeat energy gave both films a welcome edge, the kind of slightly mischievous presence that livens up even the biggest productions. | © New Line Cinema
Playing Papa Midnite in 2005's Constantine, Djimon Hounsou anchored a dark, supernatural corner of DC-adjacent cinema. Nearly a decade later, he crossed over to Marvel as Korath in Guardians of the Galaxy, trading demon hunting for cosmic outlaws. His natural screen gravitas works just as well in either universe, and he's since racked up even more roles across both, including Shazam! and Captain Marvel. | © Walt Disney Pictures
The rivalry between Marvel and DC is one of the fiercest in pop culture, but plenty of actors have quietly suited up for both. These 15 performers crossed enemy lines at some point in their careers, proving that when it comes to comic-book paychecks, there's no such thing as picking a side.
