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Elizabeth Banks in ‘Spider-Man’ (2002)
In 2002, audiences finally had their chance to see their favorite friendly neighborhood webslinger live on screen. Directed by Sam Raimi, Spider-Man brought the origin story to life as teenager Peter Parker (Tobey Maguire) gains superhuman powers after being bitten by a genetically engineered spider. Adopting the titular title, he goes on a spree to fight crime in New York City as he faces off against the malevolent Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe). Of course, being an origin story, we also got to see other integral characters on screen, including Rosemary Harris as Aunt Mae, J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jamison, and Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson.
But there’s one actress who was originally meant to play MJ but was cast in a different role: Elizabeth Banks. Despite being only a year older than Maguire, she was told she was too old to play the teenage romantic lead. Instead, Banks was cast as Betty Brant, an employee at the Daily Bugle, specifically, Jamison’s secretary, often seen passing notes to the volatile editor. Unlike in the comics, Betty tried to start an office romance with Parker, giving the role a bit more bite. Fortunately, playing Betty wasn’t a one-off opportunity, as Banks reprised her part in Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man 3. Banks is now no stranger to other major franchises, including The Hunger Games and Pitch Perfect.
Jenna Coleman in ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ (2011)
When it comes to the MCU, there are so many beloved characters, but very few are as charming as the first Avenger, Steve Rogers, lovingly known as Captain America. In Captain America: The First Avenger, Chris Evans takes on the titular role as audiences watch his incredible origin story. A big, flashy blockbuster, the MCU classic was filled with an all-star cast, including Tommy Lee Jones, Dominic Cooper, and Neal McDonough, among others. Plus, there were some now-famous faces before they were big.
One was the beloved Doctor Who companion Clara Oswald herself, Jenna Coleman. In her film debut, Coleman played Connie, Bucky Barnes’ (Sebastian Stan) date at the World Expo. The scene occurs before Steve’s superhero transformation, so Connie brings along a friend for scrawny Steve. Sadly for him, she rebukes his gentle advances. Though Coleman is relegated to a few quick words and her signature smile, her appearance showcased her on-screen charisma, which ultimately helped her land her career-changing role on Doctor Who.
Natalie Dormer in ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’ (2011)
The young Doctor Who starlet wasn’t the only young actress from a major fantasy franchise to appear in Captain America: The First Avenger. Before she starred as Margaery Tyrell in Game of Thrones, Natalie Dormer was attempting to seduce Captain America. In the MCU film, Dormer plays Private Lorraine. Best known for the infamous smooch that became Steve’s first kiss, her charm wasn’t enough, as Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) firmly put a stop to Lorraine’s romantic advances. For an MCU film, it was quite a steamy scene, with Dormer turning up the sex appeal once she locks eyes with Steve. Though it was her only appearance in the franchise, Dormer had some thoughts about her character’s fate.
Jack Gleason in ‘Batman Begins’ (2005)
Before he was Joffrey Baratheon, terrorizing King’s Landing on Game of Thrones, a young Jack Gleeson found himself in the first film in the Christopher Nolan trilogy, Batman Begins. The reboot tells the origin story of Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale), from the death of his parents to his journey to become the famous Batman. In his path, he must stop Ra’s al Ghul (Liam Neeson) and the Scarecrow (Cillian Murphy) from plunging Gotham City into chaos. For his part, Gleeson portrayed a young admirer of the Cape Crusader. Toward the end of the film, Batman rescues Rachel Dawes (Katie Holmes) and the young blonde boy. This was not the first time Gleeson worked with Bale — they also appeared together in 2002’s Reign of Fire. Perhaps it was their time together on the post-apocalyptic film that helped land Gleeson the part in the Nolan film.
Doug Jones in ‘Batman Returns’ (1992)
One of Hollywood’s most iconic character creature actors is Doug Jones. Long before he made a name for himself in The Shape of Water and Pan’s Labyrinth, Jones made an appearance in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. The second in the film series follows Batman (Michael Keaton) as he confronts corrupt businessman Max Shreck (Christopher Walken) and deformed crime boss the Penguin (Danny DeVito), whose bid for power threatens the city. Their schemes are further complicated by Shreck’s former secretary, Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer), who seeks revenge against him as Catwoman. In the film, Jones takes on the role of the Thin Clown, a member of the Penguin’s Red Triangle gang. With the line, “Great speech, Oswald,” after Penguin’s mayoral bid falls apart, Jones sang the praises of his time in the film, thanks in part to his work alongside DeVito.
Glen Powell in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ (2012)
There are no small parts, just small actors. Today, there aren’t any bigger names in Hollywood than Glen Powell. But before he turned into the next great action star, Powell had a small role in the final part of the Christopher Nolan Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises. The film is set eight years after the events of the previous film, as a retired Bruce Wayne is forced to resume his role as Batman to save Gotham City from nuclear destruction by the terrorist Bane (Tom Hardy). A post-reality TV and pre-fame Powell appeared in the film as a stock exchange trader who gets knocked out by Bane — not a bad gig for a featured extra! During a 2024 piece in Vanity Fair, Powell discussed the opportunity to be in the Nolan thriller.
Jenna Ortega in ‘Iron Man 3’ (2013)
When it comes to the next generation of Hollywood stars, Jenna Ortega is a name that firmly tops the list. Long before she was a scream queen or took on the iconic role of Wednesday Addams, Ortega was in Iron Man 3. Her small role in the MCU film was as the Vice President’s young daughter, played by Miguel Ferrer. Though originally meant to have lines, they were ultimately cut. Additionally, she was uncredited for her brief appearance. While many individuals would adore the opportunity to be in a Marvel movie, after this experience, Ortega has stated that her time in the MCU is complete.
Troye Sivan in ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ (2009)
Before he was feeling the “Rush” as one of pop music’s biggest stars, Troye Sivan was a child star. In 2009, he had a pivotal part in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The first installment in the Hugh Jackman-Wolverine trilogy, the prequel details the violent past of James Howlett, the boy who would become Wolverine, focusing on his origins as a mutant, his complex, centuries-long rivalry with his feral half-brother Victor Creed (Liev Schrieber), and his involvement with the secretive Weapon X program where his skeleton was bonded with adamantium, leading to his iconic powers and transformation. The film kicks off in 1845, where James, after witnessing his father’s murder at the hands of groundskeeper Thomas Logan, discovers his superhuman powers and claws. So, who plays the young James? Sivan!
Octavia Spencer in ‘Spider-Man’ (2002)
Before she was Ma or an Oscar winner, comedian and actress Octavia Spencer was another big name who found herself in a small part in the original Spider-Man film. Like many of her other bit parts in films, her character didn’t even have an actual name — just “Check In Girl.” So, what was she doing in relation to Maguire’s Spider-Man? Well, the titular hero wanted to become a wrestler! While hoping to sign up for the professional wrestling opportunity, the future award winner attempts to discourage the webslinger from joining the event, informing him that there is no featherweight division. Getting in one last dig, the unnamed character even called Peter “small fry.”
Rebel Wilson in ‘Ghost Rider’ (2007)
If there is one thing that Rebel Wilson can do with ease, it’s chew the scenery. And what better film to do it in than 2007’s Ghost Rider? The Nicolas Cage-led film follows Johnny Blaze, a motorcycle stuntman who sells his soul to Mephisto (Peter Fonda) and becomes the Ghost Rider, a bounty hunter of evil demons, including the evil Blackheart (Wes Bentley). Certainly a cool rider that’s anything but beloved, the film was a far cry from the iconic presence the comic character is known for. For her part, Wilson traded in her signature blonde locks for a goth look in her scene with Eva Mendes’ Roxanne Simpson. Also gone was her Australian accent. Recounting her encounter to the reporter, “Girl in Alley” notes how she saw the man with a flaming skull for a head. With her signature eccentricities, Wilson’s character can’t get anyone to believe her, though a perplexed Johnny Blaze listens in, touching his face as she describes the man she’ll never forget.