Having given one of the biggest franchises in Hollywood, Marvel Studios has managed to bag some of the biggest names from the Industry, some of whom are known for their extraordinary ability to transcend genres. Not only have they left a remarkable mark in the mainstream by starring in some of the biggest blockbusters of the industry, but they have also gained recognition specifically for their work via starring in several successful cult classic movies.
The following exploration also discusses such actors who have not only excelled in big-budget movies and franchises but have also delighted the audience with the versatility of their talent extending beyond the world of superheroes.
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Sigourney Weaver
Sigourney Weaver has recently been in conversation for starring in James Cameron’s Avatar franchise. However, she is also well known among Marvel fans for starring in the miniseries The Defenders as Alexandra. And the 73-year-old actress is known in the industry for portraying one of the most significant female protagonists, Ellen Ripley, in the Alien franchise in the history of Hollywood.
Considering that the film series was a blockbuster, the 1979 film and its sequel received a great box-office reception. However, the threequel in the series underperformed compared to its predecessors and received mixed reviews. Despite that fans still believe that the Alien franchise is not only one of the best movie series of Weaver’s career but has also become a cult classic over the years with fans praising her performance. Apart from the Alien franchise, she has also starred in multiple cult classics, including Ghostbusters, Copycat, and the 2005 period thriller The Village.
Bruce Campbell
Best known for starring in the Evil Dead franchise, Bruce Campbell joined the Spider-Man star Tobey Maguire for a cameo in Sam Raimi’s 2002 film. The actor-director duo is known for their work in the Evil Dead film series. He has established himself as a prominent figure in cult horror filmmaking for starring in a number of such as Maniac Cop and Bubba Ho Tep. The actor is loved by the fans of the genre and has been credited as a true lover of horror.
Hugo Weaving
Hugo Weaving has gained recognition for playing the Marvel villain Johann Schmidt, aka Red Skull, in the MCU. The 63-year-old British actor has left a remarkable mark with his versatile acting skills and distinctive screen presence in the cult classic movies.
Apart from the MCU, he has also starred in The Matrix and The Lord Of The Rings film series. His performance in The Matrix sequel has received quite the praise despite the follow-up movies leaving fans a bit disappointed. Weaving’s 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, and the 2005 film V for Vendetta is also considered to feature some of the best work of his career.
Nathan Fillion
Known for starring in several James Gunn movies, including Slither and Super, Nathan Fillion recently made his MCU debut in Gunn’s last Marvel film, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 as Master Karja. He is widely known for starring in major blockbusters such as Saving Private Ryan. However, the Daytime Emmy Award-nominated actor has gained quite the recognition for his performance in TV shows.
He has given incredible performances in shows like Castle, A Girl And A Pizza Place, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and Firefly. He also starred in a spin-off of the latter, Serenity as Captain Mal Reynolds. It is considered one of the most loved on-screen characters of the actor, for which he has also been listed among the most-loved geek TV actors in the world.
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Bill Paxton
Known for starring as John Garrett in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Bill Paxton has also become a notable name for starring in the classic cult hits. The actor has starred alongside Sigourney Weaver in the 1986 sequel of the Alien franchise. He is also known to give remarkable performances in the box office and critically failed movies. Following his appearance in the Alien sequel, he starred in Kathryn Bigelow’s cult classic Near Dark and continued starring in hits like True Lies, Twister, Apollo 13, and Titanic.
Kurt Russell
Kurt Russell has starred in several Hollywood blockbusters, including the 2017 Marvel film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. However, like other Hollywood stars on this list, the actor has had a knack for portraying the characters that leave a lasting impression on the audience.
Russel seems to have done the same with the 1982 film The Thing, starring him in the lead as R.J. MacReady. Although he has starred in several genres, he has given his best in sci-fi and action movies. Big Trouble In Little China, Tango & Cash, and Backdraft also feature some of his best work.
Patrick Stewart
Patrick Stewart is also known for starring in some of the biggest franchises. One of the franchises includes X-Men, in which he starred as Professor X and reprised the role in several films. He was last seen as Professor X in the 2022 Marvel film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. During his initial years in Hollywood, the actor starred in movies like Excalibur, along with several sci-fi movies, including Lifeforce and Dune, with the latter two having gained a cult following over the years.
Sir Ian McKellen
With a career spanning over six decades, Sir Ian McKellen has portrayed a range of characters. He also starred alongside Patric Steward in the X-Men franchise. While some of his on-screen characters have been a commercial hit, others have left a lasting impression on his audience. Some of the cult classic hits of the X-Men star include The Keep, Apt Pupil, Stardust, and Richard III. His notable performance has brought the movies among his best cult classic movies and is loved by fans even years after its release.
