There ’s been a quite a little of fervent debate about whether or not the CGI - heavy composition and cookie - carver storytelling of Marvel picture show constitute material movie theatre . But there is one part of Marvel movies that ’s undeniably cinematic : the performances . Some of the best actors in the humans have brought their A - game to Marvel superhero roles .

Marvel superheroes are defined by the portmanteau of centre , temper , and gallantry . From Robert Downey , Jr. as Tony Stark to Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa to Simu Liu as Shang - Chi , many Marvel actors have nailed this Libra .

Chris Hemsworth As Thor

Chris Hemsworth did n’t have a raft to do in his first few MCU appearances as Thor , because the film producer did n’t quite know how to handle the lineament . And then Taika Waititi came along withThor : Ragnarok ’s buffoonish mother wit of temper and turned the God of Thunder into a comedic character . Hemsworth had more fun with the role than ever before and revitalized fans ’ interest in the character .

After the full - blown comedy ofRagnarok , the bivalent whammy ofInfinity WarandEndgameput Thor through the wringer . Hemsworth still nail all the comedic second in theseAvengerssequels , but he also gets the chance to research more dramatic territory as Thor suffer everything and pass into a abstruse depression .

Zoe Saldaña As Gamora

Zoe Saldaña had a batch of complicated emotional luggage to conveywith the purpose of Gamora . She ’s reel from a traumatic puerility in which she was raised by Thanos and forced to campaign her sister one-half to destruction for his favourable reception .

Saldaña peg all the deadpan comedic moments in theGuardians of the Galaxymovies , but she also wreak genuine depth to Gamora ’s quest to become a salutary person ( and a better babe ) .

Simu Liu As Shang-Chi

Simu Liu made a astral MCU debut with the title role inShang - Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringslast year . He gave a quintessential Marvel hero performance with the pitch shot - perfect blend of heart , humor , and gallantry .

The actor fits the tone of the MCU like a glove , so it ’ll be a joy when he ’s integrated into the wider ensemble and take off interact with other Avengers .

Patrick Stewart As Professor X

In one of the longest - lead superhero least sandpiper , Patrick Stewart body forth the use of Charles Xavier attractively . In the original Fox series , he work as a warm , loving male parent figure to the rest of the X - Men .

Stewart always act the role with plenty of pathos , especially inLoganas the most powerful mind in the world came down with dementedness . The worker pack Charles ’ complicated love - hate relationship with Magneto to the screen , share terrific interpersonal chemistry with Ian McKellen .

Chris Evans As Captain America

Chris Evans started out his MCU land tenure with circumscribed material in Phase One , recreate Cap as a standard dainty - two - shoes . Whenthe Russo brother shoot overfrom his second solo movie up to the acrid end , they give Evans a hatful more to chew on .

Over the row of eight years , Evans painted a warm , nuanced , profoundly sympathetic portrait of a man out of his time through his struggle to make worked up link in modern society and his hungriness for the lovemaking he left behind . Evans ’ truly loveable , steadfastly good - hearted Steve Rogers is a quintessential hero that fans can look up to .

Ryan Reynolds As Deadpool

Ryan Reynolds give away all variety of roentgen - rated box office records when he spearhead a much more faithful adaptation of the Merc with a Mouth after his dissatisfactory introduction inX - Men Origins : Wolverinewith that mouth sew shut .

The actor managed to translate ‘ syndicate ’s frenzied , ad-lib , unpredictable Energy Department to the filmdom . He subtly dial up his body language when he ’s wear out the suit . Sir Joshua Reynolds always brings maximal effort to the function of Wade Wilson .

Tobey Maguire As Spider-Man

From Andrew Garfield ’s subversively dark , incubate turn to Tom Holland ’s authentic young naivety , all three big - blind Spider - Men have given stellar performance in the theatrical role .

But Tobey Maguire isstill the definitive Peter Parker . Across Sam Raimi ’s groundbreaking trilogy , Maguire perfectly captured Spidey ’s struggle to lead a bivalent life , his guilt over the last of Uncle Ben , and his unwavering determination to do the right affair .

Chadwick Boseman As T’Challa

The title character in Ryan Coogler’sBlack Pantheris a classical hero for audiences around the world to look up to , like Superman or Luke Skywalker . The Wakandan king ’s ascent and fall is a modern myth full of valuable life history lessons .

The previous , great Chadwick Boseman play the role with so much passionateness and condemnation that T’Challa gives consultation something to consider in .

Hugh Jackman As Wolverine

Hugh Jackman ’s Wolverine rapidly contract over as the de facto star of theX - Menfranchise . The first film was a straight ensemble piece , but the adamantium - clawed Jackman was the breakout character .

Across well-nigh two tenner in the role , Jackman always incarnate Wolvie ’s meth - coolheaded cynicism . But he also nailed dismal traits like his self - execration and his ego - destructive streak . Jackman ’s on - screen arc construct tothe perfect semisweet send - off inLogan .

Robert Downey, Jr. As Iron Man

Nobody could ’ve been more perfectly suitable to the role of Tony Stark than Robert Downey , Jr. The actor ’s iconic carrying into action fromIron MantoAvengers : Endgamecan pretty much be credited with the entire success of the MCU .

Tony was the first of many arrogant jolt with a nerve of gold , but thanks to Downey ’s performance , he ’s still the best of the clustering . Downey did n’t play Tony as a one - note archetype ; he played him as a blemished , three - dimensional human being .

NEXT : Every MCU Phase Four Movie ( So Far ) , Ranked By Rewatchability

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

The Thunderbolts looking up and looking shocked in Thunderbolts

In a dusty landscape Finn stares out into the distance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Split image of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark, and Zoe Saldana as Gamora

Infinity War Thor with his eyepatch

Gamora looking serious in Avengers: Endgame

Simu Liu as Shang-Chi in the MCU

Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier in his watertower hide-away in Logan

Chris Evans as old Captain America in Avengers: Endgame

Deadpool

Tobey Maguire in an alley in Spider-Man 2

Chadwick Boseman sitting on the throne in Black Panther

Logan looking tired in Logan

Iron Man hugs Spidey on the battlefield in Avengers Endgame

Movies

Guardians of the Galaxy