The MCU isn't the first and certainly won't be the last franchise to boost some actors' careers. Whether it's helping them make a comeback after a long time, taking them out of a particular genre they're known for, or simply turning their lives around 360 degrees, the franchise has done it all for many of its actors.
A new problem that comes with being associated with such a big franchise as MCU is making a name for yourself outside of the franchise. Some know how to do that and some don't. That said, let's take a look at 10 actors whose careers have completely changed because of the MCU.
10 Dave Bautista
What if we told you that the pro wrestler turned actor was broke before he was cast as Drax the Destroyer in the MCU? You heard right. And when we say broke, we really mean broke. If Dave Bautista said, "My house was foreclosed, I had nothing, man. I sold all my stuff. I sold everything I made of [when] I was struggling. I had problems with the IRS. It wasn't many years [earlier] when I was like borrowing money to pay for food, pay rent. Borrowing money to buy my kids Christmas presents." He had small roles prior to the MCU due to his wrestling background. He didn't find his agent until three weeks prior to the audition. With very low expectations, Bautista auditioned and eventually landed the role of his life Drax changed not only the trajectory of his career, but his entire life.
9 Cobie Smulders
While not as drastic, the MCU has also helped change things Cobie Smuldersacting career. Smulders started out as a model, which made her rather hesitant to enter the acting industry. She was best known for her recurring role on the LGBTQ+ TV series The L word and as television reporter Robin Scherbatsky on the CBS sitcom How I met your mother which lasted nine seasons. At that time, she started battling ovarian cancer and her career stagnated a bit. Playing the role of Maria Hill in the MCU allowed her to break out of the shell of TV series that defined her until then.
8 Tom Hiddleston
Although originally auditioned for the role of Mighty Thor, Tom Hiddleston landed a role that would become synonymous with his name. The British actor was quite busy in the early years of his career with numerous small roles, most of them in Britain. But then the director of the first Thor film, Kenneth Branagh, invited him to audition for the film. And, as Hiddleston explained, "It was huge, and it completely changed the course of what I can do." The potential hostile spark the producers saw in him ended up opening several doors for him in the world of Hollywood. From starring in Guillermo del Toro's Crimson peak Andhave its own Loki Disney+ TV series to star in Apple TV's upcoming tragic drama series The white darkness and limited series The Essex snakethe actor is booked and engaged.
7 Sebastian Stan
Born in Romania, then moved to Austria after the Romanian Revolution, then flew all the way to New York to start a whole new life. Sebastian Stan had a rather turbulent childhood. The actor started his career with small, unremarkable roles in TV series such as Law and order, Gossip Girl and others. And while he had a major role as Bucky Barnes in Captain America: The first avenger, Stan admitted that he was still struggling to pay rent after his first appearance in the MCU (via NME). It wasn't until he returned as Winter Soldier as part of the nine-movie contract that the actor started making money and making a name for himself. Stan claims he wouldn't be where he is today without the role, and it's safe to say he's right. He has now portrayed Tommy Lee, shared an unrecognizable look on his role another man, and will be one of the leaders in the MCUs Lightning strikesand co-star with Julianne Moore in a heist thriller sharper.
6 Chris Hemsworth
Although the Australian actor gained fame by playing Kim Hyde in the Australian television series Home and away for 171 episodes, fame was sequestered only by Australia. Chris Hemsworth admitted that the soap did not earn him respect as an actor. Then appear on Dancing with the Stars Australia Nearly cost him the role of Thor, as the producers feared fans would be put off. It's safe to say that getting the role of the Mighty God is the best thing that could have happened to the actor. The role suits him perfectly. He was recently part of a death-defying series Boundless and will appear as action hero Tyler Rake in the extraction follow-up.
5 Chadwick Boseman
Chadwick Boseman began his career in theater and was best known for the play Deep azure. After a while, he moved on to screen acting and took on several small television roles. He had his breakthrough even before he was cast as King T'Challa with the movie 42, where he portrayed baseball legend Jackie Robinson as well as James Brown in 2014's Get up. Boseman kept notes throughout what a Black Panther movie should be like there was ever going to be one. It had always been on his radar because he wanted to positively represent his community. Boseman became the first black superhero in the MCU, earning him a spot on the 2018 TIME 100 as one of the world's most influential people. Despite battling a terminal illness, Boseman kept his struggles a secret as he continued to act for big projects like Marshal, 21 bridges, Da 5 Blood And Ma Rainey's black bottom.
4 Tom Holland
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Tom Holland's career began when he enrolled in a dance class and auditioned for the Billy Eliot musical. He enjoyed moderate success for his roles in films such as the disaster drama The impossible, how I live now and historical characters as in In the heart of the sea And wolf hall. But the real breakthrough in his career that made him an A-list actor and a leading figure in his generation of actors was his casting as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the MCU. This was a dream come true for Holland considering he owned 30 of the character's costumes and duvet covers. This helped him star in blockbuster movies and land more mature roles in movies like The devil all the time, Cherry and Forward.
3 Hayley Atwell
As with Boseman, Hayley Atwell started her career on stage in multiple West End productions. She broke through the film and TV industry with her roles The Duchess (2008) and in the miniseries The Pillars of the Earth. But the real breakthrough and international fame came with her role as agent Peggy Carter in the MCU. She was immediately named as one of the "Breakout Stars to Watch for in 2011". She has reprized the role numerous times as well as landing roles in many critically acclaimed period pieces such as Howard's end And The long song. She will be playing the lead role soon Mission Impossible 7.
2 Chris Pratt
Before gaining fame with roles in various series such as parks and recreation, and scored numerous supporting roles in films such as Her, Chris Pratt used to wait tables. While he enjoyed moderate success on screen, he only established himself as Hollywood's leading man thanks to two major franchises: the MCU and Jurassic world. His franchise work as Star-Lord and Owen Grady led him to worldwide recognition and was named as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Pratt will return for yet another franchise The terminal list and will voice Super Mario in the eponymous WarnerBros. Animation film.
1 Robert Downey Jr.
The one whose career has changed most drastically after landing a role in the MCU is none other than the leading man, Robert Downey Jr.. The actor was a "fake baby", which is why he started his career at the age of five. The actor often reminisced about how his father made him smoke marijuana for the first time at the age of six. Drug abuse became a bonding time for the two. His early work earned him critical acclaim, but getting arrested multiple times for drug-related charges significantly messed up his career. Being cast as Tony Stark by Jon Favreau completely changed his life and career for the better. He is among the 100 most influential people in the world and was named the highest paid actor several times.
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