Oscar nominees who've been in Marvel movies

By Wonderwall.com Editors 7:39am PDT, Oct 1, 2018

Michelle Williams and Tom Hardy are making the jump from serious dramas to superhero blockbusters with the release of their latest film, "Venom." In celebration of the movie hitting theaters on Oct. 5, 2018, Wonderwall.com is taking a look at Michelle, Tom and other Oscar nominees who've starred in Marvel movies. The actress, who plays Anne Weying in "Venom," has been nominated for not one but four Academy Awards. She received her first Oscar nomination for 2005's "Brokeback Mountain," which was followed by nominations for "Blue Valentine," "My Week with Marilyn" and "Manchester by the Sea." Tom, who plays the titular journalist-turned-sentient alien Symbiote in "Venom," earned his first Oscar nod in 2016 for his work in "The Revenant." Keep reading to see which other Oscar contenders are also a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe…

Stanley Tucci played World War II scientist Abraham Erskine in 2011's "Captain America: The First Avenger." Just one year before that, the actor was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance as serial killer George Harvey in "The Lovely Bones."

Anthony Hopkins starred as Thor's father, Odin, in "Thor," "Thor: Dark World" and "Thor: Ragnarok." The Hollywood legend has received Oscar nominations for his work in "Amistad," "Nixon," "The Remains of the Day" and "The Silence of the Lambs" (the latter of which he won).

Brie Larson won the Academy Award for best actress for her performance as a kidnapping victim in 2015's "Room." The star will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2019 as Carol Danvers aka Captain Marvel in "Captain Marvel."

Samuel L. Jackson has starred in more than a hundred films, but only one got him an Oscar nomination. The actor was nominated for best supporting actor his performance in 1995's "Pulp Fiction." Years later, he starred as Nick Fury in "Iron Man," "Iron Man 2," "Thor," "Captain America: The First Avenger," "The Avengers," "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," "Captain America: The Winter Soldier," "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Avengers: Infinity War." He'll reprise the role in 2019's "Captain Marvel" and "Spider-Man: Far From Home."

Natalie Portman is a three-time Oscar nominee who starred as Thor's love interest, Jane Foster, in "Thor" and "Thor: Dark World." The actress won an Academy Award for her performance in 2009's "Black Swan" and was also nominated for her work in "Closer" and "Jackie."

Jude Law received two Academy Award nominations for his work in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Cold Mountain." In 2019, he'll become an official Marvel man as he takes on the role of Walter Lawson aka Mar-Vell in "Captain Marvel."

Cate Blanchett earned her first Oscar nomination for her performance as Queen Elizabeth I in 1998's "Elizabeth." She then received Academy Award nominations for her work in "The Aviator," "Notes on a Scandal," "Elizabeth: The Golden Age," "I'm Not There," "Blue Jasmine" and "Carol" — and won for "The Aviator" and "Blue Jasmine." Never one to put herself in a box, Cate switched gears in 2017 and starred as supervillain Hela in "Thor: Ragnarok."

Jeremy Renner was nominated for an Academy Award for best actor for his performance in 2008's "The Hurt Locker" and for an Academy Award for best supporting actor for his work in 2010's "The Town." Just a year after that, he made his debut as Hawkeye in "Thor," a role he also played in "The Avengers," "Avengers: Age of Ultron" and "Captain America: Civil War."

Gwyneth Paltrow was not only nominated for an Oscar — she won the prize. The actress took home a best actress Academy Award for her performance in 1998's "Shakespeare in Love." Ten years later, she took on the role of Pepper Potts in "Iron Man" and reprised the character in "Iron Man 2," "The Avengers," "Iron Man 3," "Spider-Man: Homecoming" and "Avengers: Infinity War." In 2019, she'll play Pepper in "Avengers 4."

For his performance in 2005's "Brokeback Mountain," Jake Gyllenhaal received an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor. In 2019, he'll star as villain Quentin Beck, aka Mysterio, in "Spider-Man: Far From Home."

Mickey Rourke earned an Oscar nomination in 2009 when he portrayed a past-his-prime wrestler in 2008's "The Wrestler." Two years later, he starred as villain Whiplash in "Iron Man 2."

Sam Rockwell won the Academy Award for best supporting actor for his performance as a troubled police deputy in 2017's "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri." Seven years earlier, he portrayed villain Justin Hammer in "Iron Man 2."

Lupita Nyong'o won an Oscar for her very first feature film. She took home the Academy Award for best supporting actress for her work as Patsey in 2013's "12 Years a Slave." Five years later, she played Wakandan spy Nakia in "Black Panther."

In 2011, Mark Ruffalo received an Academy Award nomination for his work as Paul Hatfield in 2010's "The Kids Are All Right." One year later, he landed the role of Bruce Banner aka The Hulk in "The Avengers," which was followed with appearances in "Iron Man 3," "Avengers: Age of Ultron," "Thor: Ragnarok" and "Avengers: Infinity War." Mark will reprise his role in 2019's "Avengers 4."

Forest Whitaker took home a best actor Academy Award for his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in 2006's "The Last King of Scotland." In 2018, he starred as Zuri in Marvel's hit film "Black Panther."

Edward Norton has been nominated for three Academy Awards — for his work in 1996's "Primal Fear," 1998's "American History X" and 2014's "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)." In 2008, he starred as Bruce Banner aka The Hulk in 2008's "The Incredible Hulk." He was ultimately replaced by Mark Ruffalo in future Marvel films.

Jeff Bridges is a seven-time Oscar nominee who's also starred in a Marvel film: He played villain Obadiah Stane in "Iron Man." He won the Academy Award for best actor for 2009's "Crazy Heart" and also earned Academy Award nominations for his work in "The Last Picture Show," "Thunderbolt and Lightfoot," "Starman," "The Contender," "True Grit" and "Hell or High Water."

Alfre Woodard was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her work in 1983's "Cross Creek." Thirty-three years later, she starred as Miriam Sharpe in 2016's "Captain America: Civil War."

Glenn Close is a six-time Academy Award nominee for her work in "The World According to Garp," "The Big Chill," "The Natural," "Fatal Attraction," "Dangerous Liaisons" and "Albert Nobbs." She also played alien Irani Rael in 2014's "Guardians of the Galaxy."

Tommy Lee Jones has received four Academy Award nominations and won the best supporting actor Oscar for his performance as U.S. Marshal Samuel Gerard in the 1993 thriller "The Fugitive." He also played World War II general Chester Phillips in 2011's "Captain America: The First Avenger."

In 1983, Ben Kingsley won the Academy Award for best actor for his performance as Mohandas Gandhi in 1982's "Gandhi." Thirty years later, he played Trevor Slattery in 2013's "Iron Man 3."

Benicio Del Toro has been nominated for two Oscars (including for his portrayal of religious ex-con Jack Jordan in "21 Grams") and won one (best actor for his performance as morally upright police officer Javier Rodriguez in 2000's "Traffic"). Benicio also played Taneleer Tivan aka The Collector in 2013's "Thor: The Dark World," 2014's "Guardians of the Galaxy" and 2018's "Avengers: Infinity War."

Djimon Hounsou was nominated for two Academy Awards for best supporting actor for his work in 2003's "In America" and 2006's "Blood Diamond." In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he plays the role of Korath the Pursuer in "Guardians of the Galaxy." He's set to reprise his role in 2019's "Captain Marvel."

Michelle Pfeiffer's performances in 1988's "Dangerous Liaisons" and 1989's "The Fabulous Baker Boys" earned her two Academy Award nominations. In 2018, she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Janet Van Dyne in "Ant-Man and the Wasp."

Daniel Kaluuya was nominated for an Academy Award for best actor in 2017 for his starring turn in the critically acclaimed film "Get Out." The following year, he starred as W'Kabi in Marvel's "Black Panther."

Robert Redford is an Oscar-nominated actor and Oscar-winning director. He received his first nomination for best actor for his work in the 1973 film "The Sting." In 1980, he won the Academy Award for best director for "Ordinary People," and in 1995, he was nominated twice — for best picture and best director for the 1994 movie "Quiz Show." He went on to play Alexander Pierce in 2014's "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."

John C. Reilly's performance in 2002's "Chicago" earned him an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor. Twelve years later, he starred as intergalactic police officer Rhomann Dey in "Guardians of the Galaxy."

Bradley Cooper is a four-time Oscar nominee — for his acting in "Silver Linings Playbook," "American Hustle" and "American Sniper" and for producing "American Sniper." He's also the voice behind Rocket Raccoon in "Guardians of the Galaxy," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" and "Avengers: Infinity War."

In 1993, Marisa Tomei won an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her performance in "My Cousin Vinny." More than two decades later, she played the role of Aunt May in 2016's "Captain America: Civil War" and 2017's "Spider-Man: Homecoming." She will reprise the character in 2019's "Spider-Man: Far From Home."

Tilda Swinton won the Academy Award for best supporting actress in 2008 for her work in "Michael Clayton." Eight years later, she starred as the Ancient One in 2016's "Doctor Strange."

Chiwetel Ejiofor was nominated for an Academy Award for best actor in 2014 for his starring performance as Solomon Northup in 2013's "12 Years a Slave." A few years later, he played Karl Mordo in 2016's "Doctor Strange."

In 2016, Rachel McAdams earned her first Academy Award nomination for her performance as journalist Sacha Pfeiffer in "Spotlight." The same year, she played Christine Palmer in the hit Marvel film "Doctor Strange."

In 1977, Sylvester Stallone was nominated for two Academy Awards for "Rocky" — best original screenplay and best actor. He received his third nomination when he reprised the role of Rocky Balboa in 2015's "Creed." Two years later, Sly played Starhawk in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2."

Jennifer Connelly won an Academy Award for her supporting role as Alicia Nash in 2001's "A Beautiful Mind." Fresh off her Oscar win, she starred as Karen in 2003's "Hulk."

Terrence Howard received his first Oscar nomination in 2006 for his portrayal of Djay in "Hustle & Flow." Two years later, he played James Rhodes in the first "Iron Man" movie. He was later replaced by Don Cheadle.

Michael Keaton was nominated for an Oscar in 2014 when he starred in "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)." In 2017, he played supervillain The Vulture in "Spider-Man: Homecoming." He'll reprise the role in the 2019 sequel "Spider-Man: Far From Home."

Laurence Fishburne was nominated for a best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Ike Turner in 1993's "What's Love Got to Do With It." In 2018, Laurence played Bill Foster aka Goliath in Marvel's "Ant-Man and the Wasp."

William Hurt is a four-time Oscar nominee for his work in "Kiss of the Spider Woman" (for which he won), "Children of a Lesser God," "Broadcast News" and "A History of Violence." He joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008: He appeared as Thunderbolt Ross in 2008's "The Incredible Hulk," which he followed with appearances in "Captain America: Civil War" and "Avengers: Infinity War."