TheMarvel Cinematic Universehas pip several of its actors into stardom , making them household name after their numerous appearance in the ever - expanding franchise . The superhero box office juggernaut has redefined the careers of its talented stars , changing the course of their public epitome forever .

Though many immediately link up each Marvel actor with their respective superhero , several of the MCU ’s stars appeared in well - loved part prior to get in the with child dealership in modern celluloid . The rating organization of the International Movie Database has make up one’s mind which of these histrion ' theatrical role prior to the MCU were the very best .

Benedict Cumberbatch - Sherlock (9.1)

Benedict Cumberbatch is one of the leading stars of Hollywood today who first graced the screens in the MCU as Doctor Stephen Strange in 2016’sDoctor Strange . Since then , he has bet the powerful Master of the Mystic Arts in a total of six films , most recently appearing inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness .

Before his time as the Sorcerer Supreme , Cumberbatch was well make out for his rendition of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle ’s iconic tec Sherlock Holmes in the BBC original seriesSherlock . With four seasons and many fans lobby for a fifth , Sherlockis mostly considered to be one of the best mystery appearance of all time , seamlessly bringing the oversaturated fibre into the modern world .

Elizabeth Olsen - Martha Marcy May Marlene (6.8)

Elizabeth Olsen has made waves with her character of Wanda Maximoff , the Scarlet Witch , in the Marvel Cinematic Universe . Phase 4 has seen her eccentric ’s downward spiral into villainy , culminating in the explosiveDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness , the end of which appeared to eventually kill off the character , though many fans trust she may yet return in the franchise ’s future .

Before connect the MCU in 2014 , Olsen ’s highest - rated role was in the cult authoritative 2011 thrillerMartha Marcy May Marlene . Olsen impersonate the titular agonist , who struggles with her inner and out demons after being rescued from a wicked cult in upstate New York . Joined by Sarah Paulson , John Hawkes , and Hugh Dancey , Elizabeth Olsen march betimes in her career just how talented she truly is .

Chadwick Boseman - 42 (7.5)

Chadwick Boseman brilliantly wreak to animation the superhero Black Panther in the MCU , appearing in four films prior to his tragic passing in 2020 . Boseman ’s time as Wakanda ’s greatest sub is fondly remembered by Marvel fans everywhere , particularly as they prepare forBlack Panther : Wakanda Forever , which is slated for release later this year .

Prior to landing the purpose of T’Challa in the MCU , Chadwick Boseman was best known for act Jackie Robinson in the biopic42 ,   which explore the historical baseball role player ’s struggle with racial discrimination and dogmatism when he becomes the first Black player in Major League Baseball . Boseman received exceptional praise for his carrying into action , which fantastically captured the essence of one of baseball ’s most of import figures .

Tom Holland - The Impossible (7.5)

Tom Holland may not be the first thespian to wreak the Amazing Spider - Man to life-time , but he has the distinction of doing so within the confines of the Marvel Cinematic Universe . Holland has portray Peter Parker six times thus far in the enfranchisement , most lately in the already - classicSpider - human race : No Way Home .

Although   Tom Holland has now become one ofGen Z ’s leading actors in Hollywood , he was n’t always the major champion that he is today . His most well - get laid role prior to landing Spider - Man was in the 2012 calamity filmThe Impossible , wherein the 14 - class - old actor portrayed Lucas , a young male child who is separated from his family stick with a tsunami .

Mark Ruffalo - Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (8.3)

Mark Ruffalo may not have been the MCU ’s original Bruce Banner / Hulk , but he has become by far the most recognisable rendition of the character after take over for Edward Norton . Since then , Ruffalo ’s version of the Hulk has become an built-in opus of the MCU and will show up in next month’sShe - HulkDisney+ series .

Prior to his unveiling in the MCU , Ruffalo was best known for his role in the 2004 sci - fi romanceEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind , write by the great Charlie Kaufman . In the moving-picture show , Ruffalo star alongside Jim Carey and Kate Winslet as Stan Fink , who play as the romantic foil to Carey ’s type as they compete for the heart of Winslet ’s Clementine Kruczynski .

Jeremy Renner - The Hurt Locker (7.5)

Jeremy Renner has the distinction of portray one of the six establish Avengers in the MCU , Clint Barton . After eleven years of playing the fiber , includingHawkeyeon Disney+ , Renner continues to play the expansive Hawkeye in the MCU .

Renner had a ample filmography lead up to his casting in Marvel ’s enfranchisement , the most distinctive role in which was that of Sergeant William James inThe Hurt Locker . Renner was nominated for an Academy Award postdate his carrying out , make him a household name in the years thereafter .

Scarlett Johansson - The Prestige (8.5)

Scarlett Johansson endeared herself to MCU spectator over the course of nine appearances as Natasha Romanoff , the Black Widow . Johansson ’s character would fit her heroic death inAvengers : Endgame , but not before getting her very own swan song in the form of her spinoff moving picture , Black Widow .

While Johansson ’s career mail - MCU debut has seen her take on several memorable roles , her projects prior to playing Black Widow are also quite noteworthy , particularly the Christopher Nolan filmThe Prestige . In the Edwardian period piece , Johansson brilliantly portrays Olivia Wenscombe , the assistant to Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman ’s magician fictitious character .

Chris Hemsworth - Star Trek (7.9)

Chris Hemsworth was shot to superstardom with his role as Thor , the Norse divinity of Thunder in the MCU . start in 2011 , Hemsworth has play the eccentric for over a decade , with his most recent venture , Thor : Love and Thunderbecoming his eighth appearance in the expansive enfranchisement .

One of   the best films of Hemsworth ’s career , and the highest - value entrance in his filmography prior toThor , is J.J. Abrams’sStar Trekreboot in 2009 . Hemsworth has a minor but memorable part in the movie as Captain George Kirk , the father of Chris Pine ’s James Kirk , the agonist of the series . While it was a small persona for Hemsworth , it pull ahead him the notoriety necessary to shore one of Marvel ’s premier roles .

Chris Evans - Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (7.5)

Chris Evans continue a pillar of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for the entirety of the Infinity Saga , portraying the iconic Captain America in ten films throughout the track of eight years , finally submit out in memorable fashion during the finis ofAvengers : Endgame .

Evans has star in severalnon - MCU comic book filmsduring his life history , the most renowned of which is   the cult classicScott Pilgrim vs. The World . In the film , Evans play Lucas Lee , the skateboarding ex - swain of Romona Flowers who does n’t take kindly to the nominal champion ’s wooing of his one - time girl .

Robert Downey Jr. - Zodiac (7.7)

Robert Downey Jr. both began and defined the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his iconic character Tony Stark , a.k.a . Iron Man , who he portray a totality of ten times during the franchise ’s first eleven years . Downey eventually retired from the role after the finale of the Infinity Saga , remain the slap-up virtuoso the MCU had ever seen .

Unlike many of his costars , Robert Downey Jr. had a long and substantial calling prior to his function in the MCU . The persona that received the most plaudit from IMDb ’s military rating , however , was that of Paul Avery in the 2007 David Fincher filmZodiac , which told the true story of the Zodiac killings of the later 1960s and early ' 70s .

NEXT:10 MCU Characters That Still Have n’t Become Their Superpowered Counterpart

Iron Man looking inside Sokovia in Avengers Age of Ultron

The Thunderbolts looking up and looking shocked in Thunderbolts

Spider-Man in the MCU and Jean Grey in Marvel Comics

MCU Actors before MCU

Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as John Watson running down a hallway in Sherlock season 4

Warner Bros. Pictures

Elizabeth Olsen and Sarah Paulson in Martha Marcy May Marlene

Jackie Robinson in the baseball field in 42.

Lucas at the hospital looking scared in The Impossible

mark ruffalo eternal sunshine of the spotless mind

Jeremy Renner points a gun while speaking into a walkie talkie in The Hurt Locker

Scarlett Johansson sitting with Hugh Jackman in The Prestige

Warner Bros. Pictures

George Kirk aboard the Enterprise in Star Trek (2009)

Chris Evans as Lucas Lee looking tough at Ramona Flowers in Scott Pilgrim vs the World

Robert Downey Jr as Paul Avery on the phone with a cigarette in his mouth in Zodiac

Movies

Marvel Cinematic Universe