There are only 4 actors who have played multiple characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here they all are.

Advertisement
There are only 4 actors who have played multiple characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Here they all are.

stan lee

Jason Merritt/Getty

Stan Lee arrives at the Los Angeles Premiere of Marvel Studios 'Ant-Man' at Dolby Theatre on June 29, 2015 in Hollywood, California.

Advertisement
  • On Saturday at the D23 Expo, Disney announced the cast of Marvel Studios' "The Eternals." In this announcement, it was confirmed that Gemma Chan will play the character Sersi.
  • Chan recently played an entirely different character in "Captain Marvel," making her the fourth actor to play more than one character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
  • Here's a look at the four actors who switched roles in the MCU, and who they played.
  • Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

During a panel at the D23 Expo in Anaheim, California on Saturday morning, Disney announced the cast of their upcoming Marvel Studios movie, "The Eternals." The announcement included some major names that fans have been waiting to see join the Marvel Cinematic Universe for years, like Angelina Jolie, and "Game of Thrones" star Kit Harrington.

But to some sharp-eared Marvel fans, one name stuck out: Gemma Chan, who was cast as Sersi, a member of the immortal Eternals. Although this will be Sersi's first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this isn't Chan's first appearance - in 2018, she played alongside Brie Larson in "Captain Marvel" as a completely different character.

Chan isn't the only actor to return to the Marvel scene as a different character. In fact, Saturday's casting announcement marks her as the fourth actor to appear as more than one character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Here are all four actors who have played multiple characters, and who they played.

Advertisement

Exclusive FREE Slide Deck: Top 10 Trends in Digital Media by Business Insider Intelligence

{{}}

Chan is the latest actor to take on two roles in the MCU.

Chan is the latest actor to take on two roles in the MCU.

She'll be playing Sersi, an immortal sorceress with the power to transform any object or person, as well as super strength and flight.

Gemma Chan first appeared in 2018's "Captain Marvel."

Gemma Chan first appeared in 2018's "Captain Marvel."

In "Captain Marvel," Chan played Minn-Erva, an expert sniper and a member of Starforce, an elite group of Kree soldiers. She's a partner of Brie Larson's character Carol Danvers — at least, until Danvers betrays the group after recovering her memories. Minn-Erva is later killed while trying to shoot down a ship of Skrull refugees.

Advertisement

Alfre Woodard stars in the Marvel Netflix series "Luke Cage."

Alfre Woodard stars in the Marvel Netflix series "Luke Cage."

Alfre Woodard starred for two seasons as the criminal mastermind Mariah Dillard on "Luke Cage." Known as Black Mariah, she was the owner of nightclub Harlem's Paradise, and made her name as a major figure in New York politics — all the while ordering assassinations and funneling stolen money into her bank account.

Alfre Woodard also appeared in "Captain America: Civil War."

Alfre Woodard also appeared in "Captain America: Civil War."

In 2016, Alfre Woodard also appeared as a minor character in "Captain America: Civil War" — so minor, in fact, that she's not even given a name in the movie! Woodard's character is a government employee who meets with Tony Stark early in the film, and blames him for the death of her son. This conversation later inspires Stark to support the superhero-control law known as the Sokovia Accords.

Advertisement

Mahershala Ali will appear in "Blade."

Mahershala Ali will appear in "Blade."

Academy Award-winner Mahershala Ali, best known for his roles in the movies "Moonlight" and "Green Book," will be starring as the titular character in "Blade," an upcoming MCU film. Blade is a vampire hunter who uses a variety of weapons and tools to defeat his foes. A trilogy of Blade films were previously released in the late '90s and early '00s, but Ali will be playing a new version of the character.

"Blade" doesn't currently have a set release date, but it was confirmed to be in production at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2019.

Mahershala Ali previously starred on "Luke Cage."

Mahershala Ali previously starred on "Luke Cage."

Much like Woodard, Mahershala Ali first appeared on "Luke Cage," as the villain Cottonmouth. A crime lord and cousin to Mariah Dillard, Cottonmouth smuggled drugs and weapons across Harlem. He's later killed by Mariah Dillard after an argument.

Advertisement

Stan Lee appeared in 22 Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

Stan Lee appeared in 22 Marvel Cinematic Universe films.

Stan Lee, one of the most influential comic writers of all time, appeared in more Marvel Cinematic Universe films than anyone else in the world. He's made cameos in 22 out of 23 films, including two released after his death in 2018, as well as all the Marvel Netflix shows. Across 11 years of movies, Lee has played a bus driver, a bartender, a World War II veteran, and even a dimension-hopping astronaut.

Outside of the MCU, Lee has appeared in dozens of superhero films, television shows, cartoons, and video games — a fitting legacy for the man responsible for creating some of the world's most iconic comic characters, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, and the X-Men.