After a movie character hits the big time it’s often hard to think of where the actor was beforehand. Maybe they were considered unknowns, or they were just playing the field before that one role came along and solidified themselves into the hearts and minds of fans. However, one thing is certain, an actor’s past credits can act as stepping stones to the big role that defines their career.
RELATED:The Best Casting Choices of the 21st Century (So Far)
For many cases it can be an actor’s long tenure in a genre, or a similar role they had before landing one that gained traction. Other instances it’s through casting, say a Director sees an actor in a movie and writes their new screenplay with them in mind. Sometimes it’s just the reputation the actor has created, proving themselves to have the chops it takes to land the title role in blockbuster franchises that permeates through pop culture history.
Prospect(2018)to The Mandalorian(2019)
Pedro Pascalhas skyrocketed into the hearts ofStar Warsfans with his portrayal of Din Djarin inThe Mandalorian(2019). However, before he dawned the shiny suit of beskar, Pascal wore a lower budget space suit inProspect(2018). It doesn’t take much to see the similarities between the two gritty, western inspired sci-fi dramas that Pascal starred in.
Prospect(2018) starsSophie Thatcher, new toStar Warsas Drash inThe Book of Boba Fett(2021), who travels to a toxic planet with her father to mine for rare materials. There she encounters Ezra (Pascal), who robs them in an old-west style stick up. The highwayman with questionable morals is then left to team up with the young girl and oversee some parental duties.
Good Time(2017) toThe Batman(2022)
Robert Pattinsontraded his vampire teeth for Batman’s legendary cape and cowl forMatt Reeves’reboot of the Dark Knight inThe Batman(2022). Ever since Pattinson’s ridiculed performance inThe Twilight Saga, he has noticeably taken obscure, art driven, roles to further himself from the teen-heart-throb persona. This eventually lead him to theSafdie Brotherswho directed Pattinson in the crime thrillerGood Time(2017).
Reeves wasn’t sure at the time if Pattinson was interested in the role ofThe Batman, but the stars aligned and Pattinson brought his powerful, yet reclusive, persona fromGood Time(2017) to Reeves' version of Gotham.
Johnny Mnemonic(1995) toThe Matrix(1999)
Keanu Reevesplugged into cyberspace a few years before his groundbreaking role as Neo inThe Matrix(1999). His first big break came with the sci-fi comedyBill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure(1989), but over the next few years Reeves looked to transform himself away from stoner comedies, taking action roles that eventually lead to the 1995 cyberpunk action movieJohnny Mnemonic(1995).
InJohnny Mnemonic(1995), Reeves stars as the titular character, a courier whose sacrificed a chunk of his memory in order to store valuable information for high profile clients. Reeves is seen being plugged into cyberspace, interfacing in a virtual computer reality while eluding assassins in the real world.
RocknRolla(2008) toThe Dark Knight Rises(2012)
WhenTom Hardywas asked whyChristopher Nolanwanted him to play the main antagonist, Bane, inThe Dark Knight Rises(2012) Hardy surely thought it was his role inBronson(2008). However, it was not in fact his role as the beefy and violent notorious criminal, Charles Bronson, but Nolan stated it was his performance inRocknRolla(2008) and the way Hardy emoted with his eyes.
RocknRolla(2008) is acriminal action film directed byGuy Ritchieand starringGerard Butleropposite of Hardy. Hardy has a supporting role amidst the ensemble cast, but has a key car scene in which his character professes his love to Butler’s without words, but just a longing intimate stare.
Margot Robbieearned her biggest role to date inThe Wolf of Wall Street(2013) opposite ofLeonardo DiCaprio. Within the film she plays the blonde bombshell and love interests to the con-man stockbroker living the life of luxury. However, Robbie’s character gets wind of his criminal acts and begins to not take it anymore, lashing out and calling her lover out on the way she has been mistreated.
WhileSuicide Squad(2016)was not met with much appreciation, a majority of fans would agree that Robbie’s portrayal of Harley was the best thing to come of it, starring later in the sequel and her own solo film. Robbie brings all her man-eating talents fromThe Wolf of Wall Street(2013) to the infamous Harley Quinn.
42(2013) toBlack Panther(2018)
BeforeChadwick Bosemanplayed the first Black superhero he played the first Black professional baseball playerJackie Robinson.The late actor is, of course, most well known as T’Challa, King of Wakanda and member of the Avengers, but Boseman made a career in portraying numerous Black icons before dawning the black and purple vibranium suit inBlack Panther(2018).
42(2013) was Boseman’s first big break in Hollywood, but he would also star as the Funk masterJames BrowninGet On Up(2014) and the civil rights attorneyThurgood MarshallinMarshall(2017). Boseman certainly took it upon himself to lift the voices of his community through his work and in doing so has left his own lasting impression.
Prisoners(2013) toThe Batman(2022)
Paul Danomay be most recognizable for his performances inLittle Miss Sunshine(2006), the silent Nietzsche enthusiast, orThere Will Be Blood(2007), the exploited priest, but one of his more minimal roles bares the most resemblance to his Riddler performance inThe Batman(2022). That is his minor role inPrisoners(2013), as a mentally ill individual whose suspected of being a child murderer.
PrisonersstarsHugh Jackmanas an angered father taking matters into his own hands to find his kidnaped children, while a frustrated detective (Jake Gyllenhaal) tries to crack the case. Within the film, Jackman’s character comes face to face with Dano’s, resulting in one of the most ferocious encounters on screen in recent memory.
Van Wilder(2002) toDeadpool(2016)
Ryan Reynoldshas a long career in comedyever since starring as the title character inNational Lampoon’s Van Wilder, and given his long list of credits its obvious Reynolds was tailor-made to play the Merc With a Mouth.Deadpool(2016) was greeted by fans who were looking for a comic book accurate version of the character, and oh boy did they get it.
Even with his previous, and ill-fated, portrayal of Deadpool inX-Men Origins: Wolverine(2009), which removed his character’s trademark mouth, Reynolds was finally able to let his true version of Deadpool loose with his 2016 solo film and subsequent sequels that prove his college comedies at the beginning of his career were leading somewhere.
The Hurt Locker(2008) toThe Avengers(2012)
Jeremy Rennerhas been known for his military roles, including his most iconic reoccurring performance as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye. Before that, Renner has played several members of armed forces and police includingS.W.A.T.(2003),28 Weeks Later(2007),The Hurt Locker. The latter even took home six Oscars, including Best Picture, Screenplay andDirector (Kathryn Bigelow).
RELATED:Every Best Actor Oscar Winner of the 21st Century, Ranked
The Avengers(2012) features a team-up of superheroes to protect Earth from an alien invasion and even utilizes Renner’s background in playing both good and bad characters, seen when Hawkeye is mind controlled by Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and serves as a temporary antagonist.
Lords of Dogtown(2005) toThe Dark Knight(2008)
It’s hard to think of a time when fans weren’t enthusiastic aboutHeath Ledgeras the Joker inThe Dark Knight(2008), but at the time he was cast it had fans scratching their heads. Before the Joker, audiences really only knew Ledger as that lovely smile seen in teen flicks like10 Things I Hate About You(1999) andA Knight’s Tale(2001), but his supporting role inLords of Dogtown(2005) kept some fans optimistic.
Lords of Dogtown(2005) tells the true story of the Z-Boys and their pioneering influences on skateboarding in the 70s. Within the film Ledger plays their eccentric team manager and surf shop ownerSkip Engblom, complete with fake teeth that Ledger had made to play the role.
