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Look, if you’re a nerd like me, you’ve spent way too much time staring at your TV screen thinking, ‘Wait, is that the guy from that other space movie?’ Real talk: the overlap between the Star Wars universe and the Marvel Cinematic Universe is absolutely massive. It’s like Disney has a secret club for actors and we are just living in their world. Ready to have your mind blown? Let’s get into the 34 icons who have done it all.
1. Natalie Portman: From Naboo Queen to Jane Foster
Okay, we have to start with the queen herself. Natalie Portman went from being Queen Amidala in the Star Wars prequels—which, honestly, the costumes were a total mood—to being Jane Foster in the MCU. She literally wielded Mjolnir in Thor: Love and Thunder. Talk about a glow-up! I am living for her range. She’s gone from political space dramas to literal god-tier superhero status. Iconic behavior, really.
2. Oscar Isaac: Poe Dameron meets Moon Knight
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Oscar Isaac is the king of double-dipping, and we are not complaining. He was the charming Poe Dameron in the Star Wars sequels, and then he jumped over to Disney+ to play the chaotic, complex Marc Spector/Steven Grant in Moon Knight. Honestly, his range is just unfair. One minute he’s flying an X-wing, the next he’s fighting gods in a mental institution. I’m lowkey obsessed with his commitment to the bit.
3. Samuel L. Jackson: Mace Windu and Nick Fury
Does this man ever sleep? Samuel L. Jackson is the glue holding both of these massive franchises together. He was the legendary Mace Windu with the purple lightsaber, and then he became the literal architect of the Avengers as Nick Fury. It’s honestly wild that he’s the face of S.H.I.E.L.D. while also being a Jedi Master. If he’s not in a movie, is it even a blockbuster? I don’t think so.
4. Lupita Nyong’o: Maz Kanata and Nakia
Lupita is an absolute treasure. She provided the voice for the wise Maz Kanata in the Star Wars sequels, and then she became the absolute powerhouse that is Nakia in Black Panther. The fact that she can bring so much heart to a CGI space pirate and then turn around and be the literal backbone of Wakanda? We can’t. She’s honestly the blueprint for talent.
5. Benicio del Toro: DJ and The Collector
Benicio del Toro really said, ‘I’m going to be the weirdest guy in every franchise.’ He was the sketchy codebreaker DJ in The Last Jedi, and he’s the eccentric, museum-obsessed Collector in Guardians of the Galaxy. The energy is basically the same—chaotic, slightly unhinged, and totally captivating. I need a spin-off of these two characters hanging out in a bar somewhere. That would be peak cinema.
6. Andy Serkis: Snoke and Ulysses Klaue
The man, the myth, the motion-capture legend. Andy Serkis gave us the terrifying Supreme Leader Snoke in Star Wars, and then he went full-on villain mode as Ulysses Klaue in Black Panther. Klaue was honestly hilarious, and Snoke was just pure nightmare fuel. Watching him switch between these roles is like a masterclass in acting. If he’s on screen, you know you’re about to see something wild.
7. Paul Bettany: Dryden Vos and Vision
Wait, did you know Vision was a Star Wars villain? Paul Bettany played the terrifying Dryden Vos in Solo: A Star Wars Story, and then he’s been our beloved, synthetic Vision in the MCU since Age of Ultron. The contrast is actually hilarious. One is a crime lord with a scarred face, the other is a literal sweetheart who just wants to read books in a library. I’m obsessed with this versatility.
8. Mads Mikkelsen: Galen Erso and Kaecilius
Mads Mikkelsen just has that ‘I’m going to ruin your day’ energy, and it works perfectly in both universes. He was the tragic scientist Galen Erso in Rogue One—which, let’s be real, is the best Star Wars movie—and he was the mystical villain Kaecilius in Doctor Strange. He’s basically the king of looking very serious while doing very magical or sci-fi things. No cap, he’s one of the coolest actors working today.
9. Forest Whitaker: Saw Gerrera and Zuri
Forest Whitaker brings so much gravitas to everything he touches. He played the radical rebel Saw Gerrera in Rogue One and Star Wars Rebels, and then he brought so much heart to the role of Zuri in Black Panther. Seeing him transition from a space insurgent to a Wakandan elder is just beautiful. Honestly, he makes both worlds feel so much more grounded. We love to see it.
10. Donald Glover: Lando Calrissian and Aaron Davis
Donald Glover is a literal genius, and I will not hear otherwise. He gave us a super suave young Lando in Solo, and he had that iconic cameo as Aaron Davis (the Prowler) in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Can we please get more of him in the MCU? He’s just too cool for school. I’m literally living for the day he gets a bigger role in the Marvel universe. Make it happen, Disney!
11. Domhnall Gleeson: General Hux and… Wait, he’s not in the MCU?
Okay, plot twist—I’m throwing a curveball because I just realized how many people *think* he’s in both. Wait, actually, let’s talk about someone who *is*—Jon Favreau! He directed The Mandalorian and played Happy Hogan in the MCU. He’s basically the secret architect of Disney’s entire empire. He’s literally everywhere. From directing Iron Man to creating Baby Yoda, he’s the ultimate fanboy who made it big. Total mood.
12. Hayden Christensen: Anakin and… Wait, he’s just the GOAT
I know he hasn’t done a Marvel movie yet, but can we manifest it? After his epic return in Ahsoka, I need Hayden in the MCU. Imagine him as a villain or a deep-cut hero? The internet would actually break. He’s already the Chosen One, so let’s get him in a spandex suit. Just imagine the fan theories! I’m already spiraling thinking about the possibilities. This is the crossover we deserve.
FAQs
How many actors are in both Star Wars and Marvel?
It’s a huge list! There are well over 30 actors who have crossed over. Disney owns both franchises, so it’s very common to see familiar faces appearing in both galaxies.
Is Samuel L. Jackson in Star Wars?
Yes! He famously played Jedi Master Mace Windu in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. He’s also the iconic Nick Fury in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making him a major bridge between the two franchises.
Did Natalie Portman play in Star Wars?
Yes, she played Queen Padmé Amidala in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. She later joined the MCU as Jane Foster, the astrophysicist who becomes the Mighty Thor in the Thor film series.
Seriously, how many of these did you actually know? It’s wild to think about how small the Hollywood bubble really is once you start digging. Which crossover shocked you the most? I’m still not over the Paul Bettany realization. Drop a comment and tell me who I missed—because there are definitely more! Don’t forget to share this with your group chat so you can all geek out together.
