Among the many wonderful things about the Marvel Cinematic Universe is that it has introduced us to lots of actors who were previously otherwise unknown. The MCU has provided ample opportunities for acting legends and upstarts alike and has expanded substantially to become one of the most in-demand, diverse, and high-grossing franchises in cinematic history. Over the years, Marvel movies have not only grown in popularity, but have been increasingly well received by critics, which is a remarkable achievement in an industry where superhero movies were once upon a time viewed as lesser than traditional cinematic fare. This is in large part due to the work of the incredible actors who continue to contribute to the MCU in their own unique ways.
Many of these actors started in the theater, which is apt for the grandiosity of the MCU. Meanwhile, others began as child actors, or conversely, worked for many years before making a name for themselves. With so many more reasons to get excited about the MCU this year, let's look back on how these Marvel heroes each made their start in the movie industry.
10 Brie Larson
Prior to finding worldwide fame as Captain Marvel, the part that she believes she was "destined to play," Brie Larson had a role on short-lived sitcom Raising Dad alongside Bob Saget and Kat Dennings. She was just 12-years-old at the time and the awkward pre-teen is almost unrecognizable from the glamorous and powerful actress we have come to know and love.
9 Samuel L. Jackson
A theater veteran, Samuel L. Jackson appeared in many plays before becoming a world famous movie star and he was also heavily involved in political activism. At one point, he was even a high-school cheerleader. On screen, a young Jackson could be spotted in hit movies Coming to America and Goodfellas, though you'll have to keep an eye out for his blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearances.
8 Chris Hemsworth
The hunky Thor actor started his career on TV. Like many Australian actors, such as Margot Robbie and the late Heath Ledger, Chris Hemsworth acted in long running Aussie soaps Neighbours and Home and Away. Due to his charm and good looks, it wouldn't be long before Hollywood came calling.
7 Paul Rudd
It's unbelievable that the youthful Ant-Man star was born in the '60s and began his acting career all the way back in 1992. After working as a DJ at Bar Mitzvahs, Rudd had a small role on TV drama Sisters. Three years later, he received mild recognition in the box office hit Clueless, though his role was largely overshadowed by the star power of Alicia Silverstone as the iconic Cher Horowitz.
6 Michael B. Jordan
Before becoming a household name in Black Panther, one of the highest grossing movies of all time, Michael B. Jordan played Wallace on The Wire when he was a teenager. The handsome actor is completely unrecognizable as the slight, sensitive Wallace, but his star power was evident.
Wallace was one of the most loved characters of the show's first season, so there was no doubt that the immensely talented young actor would go on to make a big name for himself.
5 Randall Park
After graduating from the prestigious UCLA, the Ant-Man and the Wasp actor worked at the newspaper New Times LA. Thereafter, he had minor roles on sitcoms such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, playing a doctor who has an excruciatingly cringeworthy encounter with Larry David in the episode "The Table Read", and in Community and The Office.
4 Tom Holland
The 24-year-old English actor, who is now famous for joining the MCU as Spider-Man, began his career in the theater when he was a child. At the age of 12, he acted on stage in Billy Elliot the Musical and he was even invited to meet the British Prime Minister. He continued performing in the musical until 2010 when its West End run ended.
Two years later, he was cast as the son of A-listers Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts in the movie The Impossible.
3 Ryan Reynolds
Although he is world famous now, the Deadpool star struggled for quite a few years before being cast in movies. Before Sabrina the Teenage Witch aired, it piloted as a TV movie all the way back in 1996 and Sabrina's love interest was played by none other than Ryan Reynolds, who was just 19 at the time.
In 1998, the then 21-year-old Reynolds starred in the largely forgotten sitcom Two Guys and a Girl before featuring in various movies in a minor capacity.
2 Zoe Saldana
Now the second highest grossing film actor of all time, Zoe Saldana had humble beginnings before her role as Gamora in the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers film franchises. Passionate about ballet, she did a lot of theater work prior to finding fame. In her first film role, she utilized her dance skills by playing a ballet student in 2000's Center Stage.
1 Scarlett Johansson
Before becoming one of the most famous actresses on the planet and entering the MCU as Black Widow, Scarlett Johansson was a child actress. The adolescent Scarlett appeared in critically panned family movies North and Home Alone 3 in the mid '90s. At the age of 13, she received recognition for her role in Robert Redford's 1998 drama The Horse Whisperer and was on her way to a glittering career thereafter.