With the superhero style being so huge, it is no shock that some actors have portrayed a number of characters throughout DC films. Regardless of the live-action sphere presently being dominated by the MCU, DC has loads extra to supply in the way in which of animated films, thanks in no small half to the DC Animated Universe. This has allowed loads of actors to lend their voices to sure roles whereas portraying completely new characters in DC’s live-action films.
Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a scarcity of actors who’ve portrayed a number of characters within the live-action area. Because of 1989’s Batman, DC was the primary to churn out live-action blockbusters that may ultimately morph into the DCEU, a cinematic franchise comprising 15 films which have recast a number of DC film veterans. With the DCU poised to reboot DC’s cinematic franchise beginning with Superman in July, this pattern has already began to proceed. With that in thoughts, listed below are the actors who’ve starred in multiple DC movies in each live-action and animation.
10
Michael Jai White Portrays Gambol And Bronze Tiger
In The Darkish Knight (2008) And Batman: Soul Of The Dragon (2021)
Michael Jai White is a prolific DC contributor who voiced Doomsday, John Stewart, and Osebo in a number of DC animated collection earlier than reducing his enamel in a live-action DC role with The Dark Knight‘s Gambol. Gambol is without doubt one of the major mob bosses in The Darkish Knight murdered by Joker. Though Gambol is a comparatively minor character in The Darkish Knight, it is one in all White’s most high-profile roles in cinema, and one which he was initially imagined to reprise in The Darkish Knight Rises earlier than Heath Ledger’s tragic loss of life induced his character to be written out of the trilogy.
Michael Jai White additionally performed Picture Comics’ Spawn in his self-titled live-action debut in 1997.
White would then go on to painting one other DC villain within the type of Ben Turner, AKA Bronze Tiger, in CW’s Arrow collection. He reprises this position within the animated film, Batman: Soul of the Dragon. This DC Universe Animated Unique Film depicted an authentic standalone story set within the Seventies and was based mostly on martial arts films of that period. Ben Turner works with Batman in Batman: Soul of the Dragon, emulating his anti-heroic comedian guide origins.
9
Nicole Kidman Portrays Dr. Chase Meridian And Queen Atlanna
In Batman Eternally (1995), Aquaman (2018) And Aquaman And The Misplaced Kingdom (2023)
Nicole Kidman is much from a prolific comedian guide actress however has starred in two live-action DC films. The primary was Batman Eternally, the place she portrays Batman’s love curiosity, psychologist Dr. Chase Meridian. Meridian performs a central position within the largely lambasted Batman Returns sequel as she is introduced in as a police advisor following the uptick in Gotham’s zany legal habits. A current report by The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Kidman took the position in order that she may “Kiss Batman.”
Dr. Chase Meridian could be launched as an official DC Comics character after debuting as an authentic character in Batman Eternally.
Greater than 20 years later, Kidman returned to DC superhero films in 2018’s Aquaman as Aquaman’s mom, Atlanna. She reprised this position in Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom, which might be the DCEU’s final movie. Atlanna performs a key position in Aquaman, spurring Jason Momoa’s Arthur Curry to simply accept his position because the King of Atlantis after he discovers that she survived her tried execution. In each her live-action DC roles, Kidman portrays two impartial and headstrong characters who play essential roles in supporting the superhero protagonist.
8
David Dastmalchian Portrays Thomas Schiff And Polka-Dot Man
In The Darkish Knight (2008) And The Suicide Squad (2021)
The Darkish Knight options one other prolific DC film actor with David Dastmalchian, although his position is considerably smaller than Michael Jai White’s. Thomas Schiff is a paranoid schizophrenic underneath the Joker’s make use of, who’s ultimately interrogated by Harvey Dent underneath the specter of loss of life – although that is revealed to have been a ploy orchestrated with Dent’s two-headed coin. The position would turn into a giant break for Dastmalchian, who on the time solely had an uncredited position within the TV collection Early Version in his repertoire.
Polka-Dot Man is a spotlight of the film, portrayed as one in all its most tortured and tragic characters who meets his finish swiftly after gleefully declaring himself to be an actual superhero.
The upturn in Dastmalchian’s profession would then culminate in a starring position in a DC film as a part of James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad reboot. Right here, Dastmalchian portrays Polka-Dot Man, whose “energy” was to fireplace damaging polka-dot-like growths from his physique on account of an interdimensional virus. Polka-Dot Man is a spotlight of the film, portrayed as one in all its most tortured and tragic characters who meets his finish swiftly after gleefully declaring himself to be an actual superhero.
7
John Glover Portrays Dr. Jason Woodrue And Mr. Sivana
In Batman & Robin (1997) And Shazam! (2019)
Batman & Robin was the loss of life knell for Warner Bros. first live-action Batman cinematic franchise and stays the worst-rated Batman movie. John Glover, an actor recognized for his villainous roles, portrayed Dr. Jason Woodrue in Batman & Robin, the evil scientist accountable for the creation of Bane and Poison Ivy, two of Batman & Robin‘s most criticized elements. Though pivotal, Glover’s position was comparatively transient as his inadvertent creation of Poison Ivy swiftly led to her killing him with a poison kiss.
Glover’s DC film fortunes remodeled considerably after being forged within the comparatively superior Shazam!, one of many DCEU’s best-rated films. Coincidentally, Glover’s portrayal of the villain behind the villain continues in Shazam! as Mr. Sivana’s mistreatment of his son, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, is partly responsible for Thaddeus adopting the position of arch-villain. Glover can be well-known within the DC sphere for voicing the Riddler in a number of DC animated collection. His most well-known position, nonetheless, is arguably as Lionel Luthor within the celebrated Smallville collection.
6
Nathan Fillion Portrays Hal Jordan, TDK, And Man Gardner
In The DCUAOM, The Suicide Squad (2021) And Superman (2025)
Nathan Fillion’s work within the DC Universe Animated Unique Motion pictures (DCUAOM) franchise principally noticed him painting Hal Jordan, arguably probably the most well-known character to hold the Inexperienced Lantern mantle. Fillion has portrayed Hal Jordan in six of those films along with Robotic Hen’s DC specials. He shared the position of Green Lantern in DC’s animated offerings with Justin Kirk. Fillion would transfer to live-action DC films in The Suicide Squad, the place he briefly portrayed The Removable Child (TDK) earlier than being swiftly killed off.
Nathan Fillion’s Animated DC Film Roles |
|
---|---|
Film |
Function |
Marvel Lady (2009) |
Steve Trevor |
Inexperienced Lantern: Emerald Knights (2011) |
Hal Jordan/Inexperienced Lantern |
Justice League: Doom (2012) |
Hal Jordan/Inexperienced Lantern |
Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox |
Hal Jordan/Inexperienced Lantern |
Justice League: Throne of Atlantis |
Hal Jordan/Inexperienced Lantern |
The Loss of life of Superman |
Hal Jordan/Inexperienced Lantern |
Reign of the Supermen |
Hal Jordan/Inexperienced Lantern |
Whereas the extent of his position is to be decided, Fillion will quickly painting one other Inexperienced Lantern, Man Gardner, in James Gunn’s Superman in July. James Gunn is well-known for doling out roles to longtime collaborators in his tasks, which makes it no shock that Fillion is concerned within the DCU’s flagship film. Gardner is one in all many established superheroes in Superman, although additional particulars are forthcoming. It stays to be seen, in the meantime, whether or not the famously abrasive Gardner will present extra display time for Fillion than The Suicide Squad‘s TDK.
5
Patrick Leahy Makes A number of DC Film Cameos
Throughout Varied Batman Motion pictures
Equally to Nathan Fillion, Patrick Leahy is one thing of a DC film mainstay, although his roles are sometimes a lot smaller cameos as varied authorities officers. This is not too stunning, as Patrick Leahy was himself a US Senator representing Vermont from 1975 to 2023. As a lifelong Batman fan, Leahy has managed to look in small roles in 5 live-action Batman films.
Senator Patrick Leahy Batman Film Roles |
|
---|---|
Batman Film |
Function |
Batman Eternally |
Himself |
Batman & Robin |
Himself |
The Darkish Knight |
Occasion Visitor |
The Darkish Knight Rises |
Board Member |
Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice |
Senator Purrington |
Patrick Leahy’s roles aren’t precisely nondescript, both. He’s the occasion visitor in The Darkish Knight who delivers the road “We aren’t intimidated by thugs,” earlier than the Joker grabs Leahy’s character, threatens him with a knife, and tells him that he reminds him of his father. Leahy recalled in an interview with Roll Call that he “Did not should act” when Heath Ledger got here at him with the knife, as he felt genuinely terrified. Leahy has additionally appeared in Batman: The Animated Collection as a “Territorial Governor” in one other talking position.
4
Patrick Wilson Portrays Nite Owl, The President, And Orm
In Watchmen (2009), Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice (2016), And Aquaman (2018)
Patrick Wilson started his DC profession in Watchmen, the place he portrays Dan Dreiberg, AKA Nite Owl. Watchmen was additionally Zack Snyder’s DC directorial debut earlier than he went on to direct Man of Metal, Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (in addition to a portion of Justice League) as a part of the ill-fated first constructing blocks of the DCEU. It’s in Batman v Superman that Patrick Wilson cameoed because the voice of the DCEU’s President of the USA, who sanctioned the usage of nuclear weapons in an try to destroy Doomsday in orbit.
Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice additionally options Jeffrey Dean Morgan (the Comic) portraying Thomas Wayne whereas Justice League options Billy Cudrup (Dr. Manhattan) as Henry Allen.
Patrick Wilson would return to the DCEU in one other, extra distinguished management position as Orm, AKA Ocean Grasp in Aquaman and Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom. Aquaman could be the DCEU’s highest-grossing and solely billion-dollar film, although Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom couldn’t replicate that success because the DCEU’s swansong. Wilson earned a Teen Alternative Awards nomination for Alternative Film Villain in 2019 for his position as King Orm.
3
Mark Robust Portrays Sinestro And Dr. Sivana
In Inexperienced Lantern (2011) And Shazam! (2019)
Mark Robust isn’t any stranger to comedian guide films, scoring a job as Kick-Ass‘s Frank D’Amico in 2011 earlier than touchdown his half as Sinestro in 2011’s ill-fated Inexperienced Lantern. Though Sinestro is an iconic Inexperienced Lantern adversary in DC Comics, this transformation by no means flourished in Inexperienced Lantern earlier than poor opinions would stifle DC’s first probability at a cinematic franchise. Regardless of Robust performing properly as Sinestro, it’s unlikely he’ll reprise this position save for a shock recast within the DCU.
Associated
Who Is Dr. Sivana? Shazam’s Villain Explained
Whereas Shazam has at all times been a preferred superhero, his arch-enemy, mad-scientist Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, is much much less well-known and less-recognized.
Fortunately, the DCEU would capitalize on Mark Robust’s expertise for portraying villains by casting him because the arch-villain in 2019’s Shazam!, Thaddeus Sivana. Robust absolutely embraces his villainous position in his second live-action DC film, performing as a vengeful foil to Billy Batson in his makes an attempt to steal his powers for his personal. Sivana reappears in the post-credits scene for Shazam! and its sequel, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, although neither tease could be paid off.
2
Sean Gunn Portrays Weasel And Maxwell Lord
In The Suicide Squad (2021) And Superman (2025)
Weasel’s position in The Suicide Squad was one other short-lived one as he ostensibly drowns earlier than the narrative will get underway in earnest, although he’s seen scurrying away in The Suicide Squad‘s post-credits scene. Sean Gunn is one other of James Gunn’s frequent collaborators, and, like Nathan Fillion, seems in each of Gunn’s live-action DC tasks. Sean Gunn does, nonetheless, reprise his position as Weasel – the weasel-like humanoid supposedly accountable for the deaths of 27 youngsters within the DCEU – within the DCU’s Creature Commandos collection, which means he’s formally part of the rebooted DC Universe.
Associated
Everything Confirmed As Canon In The DC Universe
James Gunn’s DCU reboot has chosen sure occasions from the DCEU timeline to retain as official canon, regardless of the franchise being rebooted.
This additionally implies that Sean Gunn is portraying two roles in the identical cinematic universe, as he’s slated to painting the DCU’s Maxwell Lord. Lord is reportedly on account of debut in July’s Superman, although the extent of his position is to be confirmed. Sean Gunn has been comparatively tight-lipped concerning the character, although has acknowledged that he has drawn inspiration completely from written supplies slightly than any earlier live-action depictions of the character.
1
Jason Momoa Portrays Aquaman And Lobo
In Aquaman (2018), Aquaman And The Misplaced Kingdom (2023), And Supergirl: Lady Of Tomorrow (2026)
Aquaman being portrayed by Jason Momoa was one in all many subversive strikes made by the DCEU. Momoa’s rendition of the character considerably resembles the revamped model of DC Comics’ Aquaman from the Nineteen Nineties initially penned by Peter David, the place Arthur Curry sports activities lengthy hair, a beard, and a harpoon spearhead rather than his hand. Momoa’s rugged portrayal was largely celebrated, with Aquaman being the highest-grossing DCEU film of all time, displaying that the artistic license was expertly wielded on this occasion.
The small print surrounding Lobo’s position are to be confirmed, nevertheless it is not laborious to envisage Jason Momoa portraying the domineering, foul-mouthed, intergalactic bounty hunter down the highway within the DCU.
Nonetheless, it was far much less stunning to study that Momoa had landed the position of Lobo within the DCU. Momoa has topped the listing of fan-casts for the live-action adaptation of DC’s “Principal Man” for some time, and these hopes had been vindicated by the announcement that Momoa’s Lobo would debut in Supergirl: Lady of Tomorrow in 2026. The small print surrounding Lobo’s position are to be confirmed, nevertheless it is not laborious to envisage Jason Momoa portraying the domineering, foul-mouthed, intergalactic bounty hunter down the highway within the DCU.
Upcoming DC Film Releases
Sources: Roll Call & The Hollywood Reporter