Marvel and DC Stars in the Running for 2024 Academy Awards

The upcoming 2024 Oscars are just around the corner, and it's interesting to note that Hollywood's biggest night will be celebrating a diverse group of actors who have appeared in Marvel and DC movies. While superhero films from these comic book powerhouses typically don't receive many nominations at the Academy Awards, this year is no different. However, the Marvel Cinematic Universe did manage to secure a nomination for Best Visual Effects with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Additionally, Sony's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is also in the running for Best Animated Feature, a category that its predecessor previously won.

Although the DC Extended Universe films are not in contention this awards season, Christopher Nolan, the visionary behind The Dark Knight trilogy, is vying for the Best Director award for his film Oppenheimer. Furthermore, one of the lead actors in the film has transitioned from portraying an iconic comic book villain to a potential Oscar contender. Notably, nine out of the twenty acting nominees have appeared in past Marvel movies, whether as superheroes, supervillains, or key supporting characters. From the frontrunner for Best Supporting Actor, who kicked off the MCU timeline in 2008, to the actor portraying a Gotham policeman in The Batman, there is no shortage of superhero stars in the mix for the Oscars.

Oppenheimer's Cillian Murphy Was The Dark Knight Trilogy's Scarecrow

Murphy Has Had Multiple Collaborations With Christopher Nolan

Split images of Cillian Murphy looking sideways in Oppenheimer and Cillian Murphy staring lamentfully in a straitjacket in Batman Begins - Murphy Has Had Multiple Collaborations With Christopher Nolan - Oppenheimer's Cillian Murphy Was The Dark Knight Trilogy's Scarecrow

Cillian Murphy's collaboration with Christopher Nolan began with Batman Begins, where he portrayed the menacing Scarecrow. Murphy continued to play the character in The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises, solidifying Scarecrow as a memorable villain in the Dark Knight trilogy. Murphy later took on the lead role in Nolan's film Oppenheimer, delivering a haunting performance as the mysterious Father of the Atomic Bomb. This role earned Murphy his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

Poor Things' Emma Stone Previously Played Gwen Stacey

The Oscar Winner Was An Emotional Highlight Of The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Split images of Emma Stone staring in Poor Things and Emma Stone looking sideways in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - The Oscar Winner Was An Emotional Highlight Of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Poor Things' Emma Stone Previously Played Gwen Stacey

Maestro's Bradley Cooper Is The Voice Of Rocket Raccoon

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Bradley Cooper lends his voice to Rocket Raccoon, a witty and resourceful raccoon with a penchant for heavy weaponry. Rocket is a key member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, a group of intergalactic misfits who band together to save the universe from various threats. Cooper's portrayal of Rocket has been praised for bringing humor and heart to the character, making him a fan favorite among MCU audiences.

The Actor-Director Is An Integral Part Of The Guardians Of The Galaxy Franchise

Split images of Bradley Cooper looking sideways with a cigarette in mouth in Maestro and Rocket Raccoon appearing concerned in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 - The Actor-Director Is An Integral Part Of The Guardians Of The Galaxy Franchise - Maestro's Bradley Cooper Is The Voice Of Rocket Raccoon

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 has made history for Marvel trilogies by receiving a Best Visual Effects nomination at the Oscars. This achievement sets the Guardians series apart, as it is the only MCU trilogy where every movie has been nominated for an Oscar, surpassing even the Iron Man trilogy.

In a surprising turn of events, the Best Actor category at the Oscars includes a character from the MCU - the foul-mouthed, weapon-stealing raccoon, Rocket Raccoon. Bradley Cooper, who voices Rocket Raccoon, not only brought an emotional backstory to the character in the James Gunn film but also received a Best Actor nomination for his role as legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein in the biopic Maestro. Cooper's involvement in Maestro as a director and co-writer earned him a second 2024 Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.

Bradley Cooper's nomination for Best Actor in Maestro marks his fifth acting nomination and twelfth overall Oscar nomination, showcasing his versatility and talent as an actor and filmmaker.

The Holdovers' Paul Giamatti Was Once Sony Spider-Man's Rhino

Giamatti Appeared In Armor In The Final Scene Of The Amazing Spider-Man 2

Split images of Paul Giammati standing at a podium and staring in The Holdovers and Paul Giammati in a Rhino suit in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - Giamatti Appeared In Armor In The Final Scene Of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 - The Holdovers' Paul Giamatti Was Once Sony Spider-Man's Rhino

Paul Giamatti, known for his diverse acting career, received his second Oscar nomination for his role as an uptight history teacher in The Holdovers. He enjoys taking on various character roles and even portrayed the armored supervillain Rhino in The Amazing Spider-Man franchise. In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, he briefly appeared as the Russian Mafia mobster Aleksei Systevich before donning the Rhino armor. Despite the potential for his character in the Sinister Six tease, the franchise eventually stopped production.

Nyad's Annette Bening Played The Supreme Intelligence In Captain Marvel

The Actress Is A Five-Time Oscar Nominee

Split images of Annette Bening submerged in water in Nyad and Annette Bening smiling in Captain Marvel - The Actress Is A Five-Time Oscar Nominee - Nyad's Annette Bening Played The Supreme Intelligence In Captain Marvel

Annette Bening, a celebrated actress, has earned five Oscar nominations throughout her career. In 2024, she was recognized in the Best Actress category for her role in Nyad, a film based on the inspiring story of Diana Nyad, a long-distance swimmer who conquered the journey from Cuba to Florida in her sixties. Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will also remember Bening from her appearance in Captain Marvel in 2019. In this blockbuster hit, she portrayed the Supreme Intelligence, an artificial intelligence embodying the thoughts of the Kree people, initially appearing as rebel scientist Mar-Vell and Carol Danvers' aviation mentor, Dr. Wendy Lawson.

American Fiction's Jeffrey Wright Voiced The Watcher In Marvel's What If...? And Played Jim Gordon In The Batman

This Is The Reputed Character Actor's First Oscar Nomination

Split images of Jeffrey Wright looking sideways in The Batman and American Fiction and a still from Marvel's What If featuring The Watcher staring intensely - This Is The Reputed Character Actor's First Oscar Nomination - American Fiction's Jeffrey Wright Voiced The Watcher In Marvel's What If...? And Played Jim Gordon In The Batman

Jeffrey Wright, known for his roles in both Marvel and DC projects, has recently been nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in American Fiction. In Marvel's What If...?, he voices the Watcher, a powerful guardian of multiple timelines. In DC's The Batman, he portrays Jim Gordon, a loyal ally to the vigilante. In American Fiction, Wright plays Monk Ellison, a writer who challenges stereotypes with a satirical novel.

Oppenheimer's Robert Downey Jr Will Always Be Remembered As Iron Man

This Is The MCU Veteran's Third Oscar Nomination

Split images of Robert Downey Jr looking upwards in Oppenheimer and looking sideways in Iron Man - This Is The MCU Veteran's Third Oscar Nomination - Oppenheimer's Robert Downey Jr Will Always Be Remembered As Iron Man

Robert Downey Jr. was already a two-time Oscar nominee thanks to his roles in Chaplin and Tropic Thunder when Iron Man hit theaters in 2008. The movie marked a turning point in his career, bringing him back into the spotlight. Known for his iconic portrayal of Tony Stark, from the arc reactor in his chest to his heroic stand against Thanos in Avengers: Endgame, Downey Jr. has become a staple in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for over a decade.

After his time in the MCU, Downey Jr. took on the role of Lewis Strauss in Oppenheimer, playing a retired Navy officer who chairs the Atomic Energy Commission. His performance as an antagonist in Christopher Nolan's period epic received high praise from critics, with many considering him a top contender for Best Supporting Actor this year.

Poor Things' Mark Ruffalo Is The MCU's Hulk

This Is The Bruce Banner Actor's Fourth Oscar Nomination

Split images of Mark Ruffalo looking sideways in Poor Things and The Avengers - This Is The Bruce Banner Actor's Fourth Oscar Nomination - Poor Things' Mark Ruffalo Is The MCU's Hulk

Mark Ruffalo, known for his typically positive roles, takes on a different persona in his Oscar-nominated role as Duncan Wedderburn in Poor Things. The morally twisted lawyer character is portrayed with finesse by Ruffalo as he tries to seduce Emma Stone's character, only to fail miserably. While he has gained recognition for his unconventional performances in the eyes of critics, he is beloved by fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for his portrayal of Hulk. Despite not having his own solo movie, Ruffalo's scientist-turned-beast has left a lasting impact in Marvel films such as The Avengers, Thor: Ragnarok, and Avengers: Endgame.

American Fiction's Sterling K Brown Played Killmonger's Father

The Tragic Opening Of Black Panther Featured Brown In A Brief Role

Split images of Sterling K Brown in a swimming pool in American Fiction and Sterling K Brown looking sideways in Black Panther - The Tragic Opening Of Black Panther Featured Brown In A Brief Role - American Fiction's Sterling K Brown Played Killmonger's Father

Sterling K Brown, known for his roles in This Is Us and American Crime Story, has won several Emmy awards. However, his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor comes from his performance in American Fiction. In the movie, he showcases his talent in both comedy and drama as the estranged brother of Jeffrey Wright's character, a plastic surgeon. Brown also had a significant role in Black Panther as N'Jobu, who is betrayed by his own brother and ultimately sets the events of the movie in motion.

Barbie's America Ferrera Will Join What If...? Season 3

The Oscar Best Supporting Actress Nominee's Marvel Role Isn't Disclosed Yet

An image of America Ferrera from Barbie and the title card of What If - The Oscar Best Supporting Actress Nominee's Marvel Role Isn't Disclosed Yet - Barbie's America Ferrera Will Join What If...? Season 3

In a surprising turn of events at the 2024 Oscars, America Ferrera received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Gloria, a disgruntled Mattel employee in Greta Gerwig's fantasy satire Barbie. Ferrera shines in the film with memorable moments, particularly when she guides Margot Robbie's Barbie through the human world and delivers a powerful monologue on modern-day womanhood. Excitingly, Ferrera will also be appearing in the upcoming season of Marvel's What If...? However, the details of her character remain a mystery. The addition of an Oscar nominee like Ferrera to the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a welcome one.

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming 2024 Oscars are shaping up to be a historic event for Marvel and DC fans. The recognition of actors who have portrayed iconic characters in these cinematic universes is a testament to the growing impact of superhero films on the entertainment industry. While these movies have often been overlooked by the Academy in the past, this year's nominations demonstrate a shift in perception.

The performances of these actors showcase their versatility and talent beyond the superhero genre. From Cillian Murphy's haunting portrayal of Oppenheimer to Annette Bening's commanding presence as the Supreme Intelligence, these actors have proven their ability to embody complex and compelling characters. Their nominations are a well-deserved recognition of their artistry and a sign that the boundaries between "serious" cinema and popular entertainment are becoming increasingly blurred.