With 22 films under the massive Disney banner, it’s no surprise that dozens of Hollywood megastars have appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Scarlett Johannson, Brie Larson, and Gwyneth Paltrow have been crowding box office posters for 11 years now. And while some huge stars have made clever cameos, such as Kate Mara (Iron Man 2) and Miley Cyrus (Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2), there are a few marquee names that you may have forgotten played significant roles in the MCU.
Ten Actresses You May Have Forgotten Appeared in the MCU
Disclaimer: Some people are more attentive than others. Recently, I was binging the most recent season of Supernatural, and I got to the episode where Sam and Dean investigated a haunted gaming shop. In the background of one scene, there was a replica of the Red Hood costume, and I marked out a little. Why? Because Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester) voiced the Redhood in the Batman animated movie of the same name.
Nobody else I was watching with got it. So if you were totally conscious of all these appearances and didn’t need me to remind me, we’re kindred spirits and feel free the gloat in the comments.
10. Natalie Portman (Thor, Thor: The Dark World, Avengers: End Game)
This is a bit of a cheat because she was just (kinda) in End Game, but it really feels like they tried to sweep Portman, and her performance of Jane Foster, under the rug. If you think about the earlier movies (which I’d understand if you didn’t want to) for a second, you’d remember that she was, but it’s not her best performance.
9. Cobie Smulders (The Avengers, Captain America: Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: End Game)
Robin Scherbatsky Agent Maria Hill appeared in a good chunk of the Avengers movies, but it never really felt like she belonged. She was just a plot device for the most part, not really having a personality, just being the person that Nick Fury talks at. Which is a shame, because I really like Smulders.
8. Leslie Bibb (Iron Man, Iron Man 2)
Leslie Bibb appeared as Christine Everhart, a nosy reporter, in both of the first two Iron Man movies. It’s Everhart that pushes Tony Stark at the end of the first Iron Man movie to reveal that he was Iron Man, a quote that weighs significantly heavier on the hearts of Marvel fans now than it did in 2008.
Fun Fact! Leslie Bibb is married to Sam Rockwell, who showed up on the male version of this list, and shares a birthday with Rachel McAdams, who may or may not show up again on this list.
7. Natalie Dormer (Captain America: The First Avenger)
That’s right, Margaery Tyrell herself appeared in Captain America’s debut movie. She worked for Colonel Chester Phillips (see the male version of this list), and tried to make a move on Steve Rogers for being such a gosh darn American hero, but was rejected in favor of one Peggy Carter.
6. Olivia Munn (Iron Man 2)
Olivia Munn appeared as, no joke, Chess Roberts, in the second Iron Man movie, playing a reporter that almost seems to be a parody of her previous work in the business. Then she went on to play Psylocke in an X-Men movie that I’d rather not talk about.
5. Kat Dennings (Thor, Thor: The Dark World)
Kat Dennings was supposed to be the comic relief in the early Thor movies, not realizing that the God of Thunder himself would end up being the one to supply the laughs for the MCU, and while she had her moments, it kinda felt like the Thor/Broke Girls crossover nobody asked for.
4. Liv Tyler (The Incredible Hulk)
Liv Tyler’s performance of Betsy Ross, like the Hulk movies in general, has been forgotten for the most part. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, I’m not saying it’s a good thing, I’m just saying it’s something that happened.
3. Rachel McAdams (Dr. Strange)
I love Rachel McAdams, and I still totally forgot that she was Dr. Strange’s love interest in this movie. In hindsight, seeing everything that Strange has done since then, I don’t think I’d believe he ever had a love interest if I hadn’t watched the first movie with my own two eyes.
2. Jennifer Connelly (Spider-Man: Homecoming)
This is one of my favorite MCU fun facts. Jennifer Connelly is the voice of Spider-Man’s suit in Homecoming! Her real life husband? Paul Bettany, who of course, voiced Jarvis and later, played Vision. You and your significant other go on hikes? That’s cool, these two provide the voices for Stark suits.
1. Glenn Close (Guardians of the Galaxy)
That’s right, Oscar-nominated, Golden Globe award winning Glenn Close is seriously an active member of the MCU. She played Nova Prime in the first Guardians of the Galaxy, and was reportedly supposed to be in the second one. After being vocally in defense of James Gunn, it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see her return in Guardians Vol. 3.
Narcissistic Penguin 