13 actors you forgot appeared in the MCU
Ten years and 20 movies in, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a bona fide phenomenon, with actors chomping at the bit to join the fold.
Some blink-and-you'll-miss-them characters have been played by some very familiar actors, while other walk-on parts have gone on to make names for themselves since. Either way, you've probably forgotten that these guys ever twirled their moustaches or simpered with Tony Stark.
1. Jenny Agutter – Councilwoman Hawley (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)
National treasure Jenny Agutter snuck into the MCU in Avengers as one of SHIELD's shadowy World Security Council, Councilwoman Hawley. She also technically played Black Widow when Natasha replaced her in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which spared Hawley being blown up with her colleagues.
2. Jenna Coleman – Connie (Captain America: The First Avenger)
The Doctor Who and Victoria star played Bucky Barnes's date back in World War II (via Captain America: The First Avenger). We don't know anything about her, but she did have a friend named Bonnie, so rhyming names will have to substitute for character development.
3. Natalie Dormer – Private Lorraine (Captain America: The First Avenger)
What was it with Captain America: The First Avenger casting young British actresses as Americans? (Possibly the fact that they filmed much of it in Wales, Liverpool and Manchester.) Game of Thrones' Natalie Dormer played a military woman and Tommy Lee Jones's secretary, who stole a snog from Steve Rogers and was presumably shipped off to Alaska by Agent Carter, as she was never seen again.
4. Alexis Denisof – The Other (The Avengers)
Joss Whedon brought back his old pal Alexis – aka Wesley Wyndam-Pryce from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel – back as Thanos's servant The Other in Avengers. Don't feel too bad if you missed him, as he was acting behind a big ol' mask and a funny voice. Ronan (a character we wish we could forget) killed him in Guardians of the Galaxy.
5. Kate Mara – US Marshal (Iron Man 2)
House of Cards' Kate Mara presumably enjoyed her one scene as a nameless Marshal serving Tony Stark with a subpoena in Iron Man 2 so much that she jumped at the chance to play the Invisible Woman in Fantastic Four. Oops.
6. Richard Armitage – Heinz Kruger (Captain America: The First Avenger)
Thorin Oakenshield himself adopted a new accent and the most German name ever to play a spy and assassin in Captain America: The First Avenger. He chose swallowing cyanide over succumbing to Steve's tender embrace, the fool.
7. Ty Burrell – Leonard Samson (The Incredible Hulk)
Before he was the star of Modern Family, Ty Burrell played classic Marvel character Doc Samson in The Incredible Hulk. Sadly, he didn't get as far as becoming a super-strong hero in a green wig, instead stalling as Betty Ross's jealous boyfriend, who will probably never be seen again.
8. Christopher Eccleston – Malekith (Thor: The Dark World)
You may remember Thor: The Dark World's Malekith, a strong contender for worst MCU villain ever, but you may not have realised that it was Doctor Who's Christopher Eccleston hiding under that make-up. The hopelessly flat antagonist could have been played by anyone. File that under 'wasted opportunity'.
9. Olivia Munn – Chess Roberts (Iron Man 2)
Before she was Psylocke in X-Men: Apocalypse, Olivia Munn appeared in Iron Man 2 as the reporter with the unlikely name. In a deleted scene, she also flirted with Tony Stark, because of course.
10. Stanley Tucci – Dr Abraham Erskine (Captain America: The First Avenger)
The Hunger Games' Stanley Tucci was the defecting German scientist famous for creating the Super Soldier Serum and taking such poor notes that it couldn't be replicated after his death.
11. Miguel Ferrer – Vice President Rodriguez (Iron Man 3)
The late, lamented Miguel Ferrer is best known as the aggressively grumpy but complicated Agent Albert Rosenfield in Twin Peaks, but you might have noticed him as Iron Man 3's treacherous vice president. He just did it for his daughter, guys!
12. Chris O'Dowd – Richard (Thor: The Dark World)
We were a bit surprised that Chris O'Dowd was allowed to keep his Irish accent when he played Natalie Portman's rebound in Thor: The Dark World. Suffice to say, he didn't stick around for long once the Odinson was back on the scene.
13. Alan Dale – Councilman Rockwell (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)
Neighbours legend Alan Dale as a stern patriarchal type? Never! He played one of Jenny Agutter's colleagues, although he didn't escape the exploding security badge bit.
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