Every Avenger’s Best Non-Marvel Movie

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Robert Downey Jr. will always be remembered as Iron Man, no matter what other roles he takes on. The same is true for Chris Evans and Captain America, and Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Even though their time playing these Marvel heroes is limited, these actors will be forever linked to these iconic characters, for generations to come.

Robert Downey Jr. has had a remarkably diverse career, long before becoming famous as Iron Man. Early on, he played Charlie Chaplin in a serious biographical film and collaborated with acclaimed directors like Robert Altman and Oliver Stone. He’s shared the screen with a wide range of actors, from the esteemed Ian McKellan to the comedic Rodney Dangerfield. Even after initially stepping away from Marvel, he continued to take on significant roles, culminating in an Academy Award-winning performance in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer.

Let’s have some fun! If we ignore Marvel movies, what’s the best film featuring one of the original Avengers? It’s easy for some actors – Marvel keeps them so busy they don’t have much time for other projects. But many of the core cast have starred in fantastic films. Think about Samuel L. Jackson, for example. He was in Jurassic Park, and that might not even be one of his five best movies from the 1990s!

Choosing the best Samuel L. Jackson movie is really tough, but I gave it a shot. Also, unlike in the comics, there aren’t official Avengers membership cards, so figuring out who counts as an Avenger in movies like Avengers: Endgame can be tricky. I did my best to decide, but please be kind – I’m just a regular person without superpowers!

Every Avenger’s Best Non-Marvel Movie

Robert Downey Jr.: Zodiac (2007)

David Fincher is known for directing thrillers about serial killers, but Zodiac is more than just that. It’s a journey through San Francisco’s history, seen through the perspectives of three men obsessed with solving the Zodiac Killer case. We follow a police inspector (Mark Ruffalo), rumored to be the inspiration for Bullitt, a newspaper reporter (Robert Downey Jr.) who became a target of the killer, and an amateur detective (Jake Gyllenhaal) unable to abandon the investigation even after the murders cease. What Zodiac does exceptionally well is show how completely a fixation can take over someone’s life. Fincher immerses the audience in a complex web of clues and false leads using clever camera angles and editing. By the film’s ending – which cleverly connects back to the beginning after a tense two and a half hours – viewers truly understand Robert Graysmith’s relentless obsession.

Mark Ruffalo: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

I can’t recall exactly when or where I first watched Eternal Sunshine, but it came out 20 years ago while I was living in New York City. The details of that first viewing have faded with time, like so many memories do. Ironically, that makes me appreciate the film even more now. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is so moving because it uses a sci-fi idea – a couple erasing each other from their memories – to explore how natural memory loss affects us. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet make an unforgettable couple, and it’s their doomed relationship that makes it so powerful. Ultimately, all relationships end, often feeling as inevitable as a beach house being washed away by the sea. I also always forget that Mark Ruffalo is in it, playing one of the workers at the memory-erasing clinic.

Samuel L. Jackson: Goodfellas (1990)

I honestly think Samuel L. Jackson might have the most incredible film career of all time. Sure, he’s been in a few duds – maybe you actually like Big Game? – but look at the classics he’s been a part of! He was in some of the best movies from the late 80s and early 90s, like Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, Quentin Tarantino’s Pulp Fiction, and even Martin Scorsese’s GoodFellas. Okay, he’s really central to just Pulp Fiction, and his role in GoodFellas is more of a quick appearance, but still… I can’t think of anyone, past or present, who has a filmography that even comes close.

Chris Evans: Knives Out (2019)

As Chris Evans neared the end of his time playing Captain America for Marvel, he seemed to enjoy playing against type. In the 2019 film Knives Out, released alongside Avengers: Endgame, he portrayed Ransom, a spoiled and irresponsible member of a rich family involved in a playful murder mystery. Ransom is rude and dismissive to everyone around him, essentially the kind of person Steve Rogers would definitely punch.

Chris Hemsworth: Star Trek (2009)

The 2009 Star Trek movie cleverly refreshed the franchise, acting as both a continuation and a fresh start. It featured a fantastic new cast taking on the famous roles – Chris Pine as Captain Kirk, Zachary Quinto as Spock, and Zoe Saldana as Uhura – while also bringing back Leonard Nimoy as an older version of Spock to bridge the gap with the original films and explain any differences. Though Chris Hemsworth has a smaller role as Kirk’s father who bravely sacrifices himself, the movie is generally more enjoyable than most of Hemsworth’s Marvel films.

Scarlett Johansson: The Prestige (2006)

Christopher Nolan’s The Prestige brings together all his signature filmmaking techniques – like complex timelines and unexpected plot twists – and recurring ideas, such as flawed heroes and the loss of a wife, to create a truly powerful and unforgettable film. Set in Victorian London, the movie follows two competing magicians, played by Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman, whose rivalry pushes them to both incredible creativity and deadly extremes. (Scarlett Johansson appears as an assistant to both men.) The Prestige is a story within a story, delving into the sacrifices artists make for their work and the inherent duality of good and evil within us all. Even knowing the film’s shocking secrets, it remains incredibly rewarding to watch, offering new insights with each viewing as you notice how skillfully Nolan hints at every plot development – if you pay close attention.

Jeremy Renner: Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol (2011)

As a huge movie fan, I always debate which Mission: Impossible film is the very best, but when it comes to a single, standout sequence, it’s easy: the Burj Khalifa scene from Ghost Protocol. It’s just incredible watching Ethan Hunt and his team pull off this massively complicated deception, especially with Tom Cruise literally hanging off the world’s tallest building! Jeremy Renner is fantastic as William Brandt, the analyst who gets swept up in the action. It takes a seriously talented actor to share a scene with Tom Cruise like that, but Renner, who I already loved from The Hurt Locker and other great films, totally delivered.

Anthony Mackie: The Hurt Locker (2008)

Jeremy Renner and Anthony Mackie first worked together in the film The Hurt Locker, and would later become colleagues in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Both actors convincingly portrayed soldiers with unique methods for handling bombs during the Iraq War. It’s unfortunate that Marvel hasn’t created many chances for Renner and Mackie to share the screen with the same chemistry they had in The Hurt Locker; they were a fantastic duo.

Don Cheadle: Boogie Nights (1997)

Paul Thomas Anderson’s film is a funny, sad, and nostalgic look at the golden age of the adult film industry in Southern California. It moves through the late 1970s, introducing a memorable cast of characters, including a filmmaker reminiscent of Burt Reynolds and a troubled, maternal figure named Amber Waves, played by Julianne Moore. The film isn’t just about these individuals; it’s a broader exploration of America at the time – its desires, its sadness, and its excesses. Don Cheadle delivers a standout performance as Buck Swope, a porn star with the surprisingly earnest dream of opening a stereo shop. Unfortunately, he’s a terrible salesman, and his profession makes it impossible to get a loan. I’ve often quoted Cheadle’s line – “Oh I think you need all that bass! I mean, if you want a system to handle what you want. Yeah, you need the bass” – whenever I’m talking about audio speakers.

Elizabeth Olsen: His Three Daughters (2024)

A few years ago, I experienced the loss of a family member, and that experience deeply influences how I feel about Azazel Jacobs’ film, His Three Daughters. The film focuses on how cinema portrays death, specifically from the viewpoint of those left behind – in this case, three sisters wonderfully played by Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne. While I don’t entirely agree with the film’s idea that death should only be shown through what isn’t shown, the last 20 minutes of this intense family drama always leave me profoundly moved. Elizabeth Olsen, already known for her work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, delivers a particularly powerful performance as one of the sisters dealing with their father’s approaching death.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson: The Fall Guy (2024)

Once The Fall Guy gets going, it’s a non-stop thrill ride, much like a classic car with a powerful engine but shaky brakes—or the fast-paced action of Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Quicksilver. The movie’s most memorable scenes burst with the same joyful energy as an old-fashioned musical, making you feel inspired to create or simply enjoy a film. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays a movie star similar to Tom Cruise, known for doing his own stunts, but he secretly depends on the skills of stunt performers like the character played by Ryan Gosling.

Paul Bettany: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003)

Before Paul Bettany became known as the Marvel character Vision in Avengers: Age of Ultron, and even before he voiced J.A.R.V.I.S. in Iron Man, he starred as Dr. Stephen Maturin in the film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Maturin was a ship’s surgeon and close confidant to Captain Jack Aubrey. Some might say Bettany often plays supporting roles, but he excels at them, and Master and Commander is one of the best historical war movies ever made.

Paul Rudd: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)

When it comes to sheer laugh-out-loud moments, it’s hard to beat Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. The movie, directed by Adam McKay and starring Will Ferrell, brilliantly satirizes the sexism common in 1970s workplaces. And the scene featuring Ron Burgundy, his colleague Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), and Fantana’s collection of colognes might just be the funniest scene I’ve ever seen in a movie. It’s packed with hilarious lines and perfectly timed jokes – honestly, there are barely a couple of moments that aren’t funny. The rest is pure comedic gold.

Tom Holland: Onward (2020)

After a quarter-century of groundbreaking films, Pixar’s innovations are beginning to feel predictable, relying on familiar themes. Their latest movie, Onward, follows a classic road trip formula with two unlikely brothers, Ian (Tom Holland) and Barley (Chris Pratt), embarking on a quest to briefly bring their deceased father back to life through magic. While Pixar’s films may not feel as original as they once did, the studio’s years of experience have created a skilled team capable of transforming familiar ideas into something truly touching – and Holland and Pratt make a convincing pair of fantastical brothers.

Brie Larson: Short Term 12 (2013)

I remember seeing the film Short Term 12 before its premiere at SXSW in early 2013, and I was immediately impressed by Brie Larson’s talent. I certainly didn’t expect she’d become such a major action star, or that she’d play a central role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Captain Marvel – that would have been a complete surprise!

Marvel Actor Yearbook Photos

Robert Downey Jr.

Born in 1965, Tony Shark—the son of well-known independent filmmaker Robert Downey—went to Santa Monica High School but left to pursue acting full-time.

Gwyneth Paltrow

Gwyneth Paltrow, known for playing Pepper Potts in the Iron Man and Avengers films, was born in 1972 to director Bruce Paltrow and actress Blythe Danner. She attended the Spence School, a private all-girls school in New York City.

Chris Evans

Chris Evans, born in 1981, finished high school at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School in Sudbury, Massachusetts, before focusing on his career.

Mark Ruffalo

I’ve always been a fan of Mark Ruffalo, and I recently learned a bit about his background. He was born in Wisconsin back in 1967, but his family actually moved to Virginia when he was a teenager. He went to high school – First Colonial High School – in Virginia Beach. It’s interesting to picture him as a kid growing up in those different places!

Scarlett Johansson

Born in Manhattan in 1984, the youngest of the original Avengers went to the Professional Children’s School in New York City – a school designed for young performers who are serious about acting, music, or dance.

Jeremy Renner

Jeremy Renner grew up in Modesto, California, and attended Fred C. Beyer High School. Born in 1971, he was known for a particularly memorable 1980s hairstyle – a combination flattop and mullet.

Chris Hemsworth

Chris Hemsworth, who was born and grew up in Australia, went to high school at Heathmont College in Victoria.

Tom Hiddleston

Tom Hiddleston, who is often referred to as Chris Hemsworth’s brother, had a childhood quite different from his. He grew up in Wimbledon, London, and went to boarding schools like Dragon School and Eton College in England.

Samuel L. Jackson

Born in 1948 and raised in Tennessee, this veteran actor of the Marvel Cinematic Universe went to Riverside High School in Chattanooga before pursuing studies in acting at Morehouse College.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch, born in 1976, is an actor, not a doctor. Similar to his colleague Tom Hiddleston, he went to a number of boarding schools as a child, including Harrow School in London.

Cobie Smulders

I was reading up on Cobie Smulders, who a lot of us Marvel fans know as Maria Hill, and it’s cool to learn about her background. She was born in 1982 and grew up in Vancouver. Apparently, she went to Lord Byng Secondary School, and honestly, that’s the best school name I’ve ever heard connected to a Marvel actor – seriously!

Don Cheadle

Don Cheadle was born in Missouri and grew up in Nebraska, later attending and graduating from East High School in Denver, Colorado in the early 1980s. Even though a photo of him might be around 40 years old, he hasn’t aged much!

Elizabeth Olsen

Born in 1989, Elizabeth Olsen pursued a career in acting, like her older sisters, Mary-Kate and Ashley. Despite starting her acting journey at a young age, she prioritized her education, graduating from Campbell Hall School in Studio City, California, and later attending New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Paul Rudd

It’s a popular joke that Paul Rudd doesn’t age, and some even claim he’s an ancient wizard! But according to his official biography, he was born in 1969 and had a fairly normal childhood, moving around to places like New Jersey, Kansas, and California. He went to Shawnee Mission West High School and later studied theater at the University of Kansas.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman, who sadly passed away recently, was born in 1976 and grew up in Anderson, South Carolina. He went to high school at T.L. Hanna High School and later studied at Howard University.

Sebastian Stan

That’s absolutely Sebastian Stan! Born in Romania in 1982, he spent his childhood in Europe before his family relocated to the New York City area in the 1990s. He later pursued his passion for acting at Rutgers University in New Jersey.

Simu Liu

Simu Liu, who plays Shang-Chi in Marvel films, was born in China in 1989. His family later moved to Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, where he spent his childhood. He attended both the University of Toronto Schools and the University of Western Ontario.

Chris Pratt

We could tell you about Chris Pratt’s life – like how he was born in Minnesota in 1979 and later went to high school in Washington. But honestly, let’s just appreciate this amazing photo.

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana, who famously starred alongside Chris Pratt in Guardians of the Galaxy, was born in New Jersey in 1979. Growing up, she split her time between New York City and the Dominican Republic, and she attended Newtown High School in Queens, New York.

Dave Bautista

Dave Bautista, the strong and imposing actor now known for his roles in Marvel films and formerly a WWE wrestler, was born in Washington D.C. in January 1969. He became independent at a young age, moving out of his parents’ home by 17. Before finding success in fitness and wrestling, Bautista worked jobs as a bouncer and a lifeguard.

Karen Gillan

It’s hard to believe the actress Karen Gillan, who expertly plays the robotically-enhanced Gamora with a distinctive raspy voice, was born in Inverness, Scotland in 1987. Before becoming an actress, she trained at Telford College in Edinburgh and the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London as a teenager.

Bradley Cooper

The actor who later became known as Rocket Raccoon was born in Pennsylvania in 1975. He went to Germantown Academy, then Villanova and Georgetown University. He also studied at the New School, and became known for asking questions during two episodes of Inside the Actors Studio, when Robert De Niro and Sean Penn were the guests.

Vin Diesel

Vin Diesel, originally named Mark Sinclair, was born in California in 1967. After his family relocated to New York City, he went on to study at Hunter College.

Josh Brolin

Josh Brolin, known for playing Thanos, was born in Santa Monica, California, in 1968. Following in his father James Brolin’s footsteps, he began acting at a young age, landing a role in The Goonies directed by Richard Donner before he turned twenty.

Stan Lee

Stan Lee, the creative force behind many iconic Marvel comics, became known for making brief appearances in films based on his characters later in life. Born Stanley Lieber in 1922 in Manhattan, he grew up in the Bronx, finished high school ahead of schedule, and initially worked with the Federal Theatre Project. Soon after, he joined Timely Comics – which eventually became Marvel – and began building a legendary career as a passionate comic book creator.

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2026-02-11 22:33