10 Big Screen Movie Legends who Should Appear in Superhero Movies

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Superhero movies are bankable - in fact, the comic book movie genre is currently the most bankable genre. Even if the critics destroy a movie, it will still make a splash at the box office. And that is because, besides the huge fan base, these flicks always appeal to the general audiences. And the general audiences will always be curious about a superhero movie - especially if the marketing campaign does its job.

So, for example, a star like Al Pacino would become better known among younger people, while also having the chance of actually making a good movie.

And this is the trend, after all. There are quite a few actors who made names for themselves in the "˜70s and "˜80s who now appear in flicks that don't do them justice. Superhero movies would - just check out Robert Redford in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. After appearing in the Marvel flick, his career seems to have been invigorated.

So what other movie legends, who haven't appeared in any comic book adaptation until now, should consider this path? Check it out!

Robert de Niro

Robert De Niro in Dirty Grandpa (OK Magazine)

Robert De Niro in Dirty Grandpa (OK Magazine)

When was the last time you saw a movie starring Robert de Niro and you actually enjoyed it? You could mention Silver Linings Playbook, of course. But his character's arc was pretty one-dimensional and, for that reason, forgettable.

And this is the guy from Goodfellas, One upon a Time in America, Casino, The Deer Hunter, and many other great movies.

Now he is relegated to appearing in films with 50 Cent and Jason Statham. But, hey! Maybe these movies pay better than a role in a Marvel flick! Who knows?

Well, I doubt that. And, even if it were so, Robert Redford received praise for his villainous role in The Winter Soldier. I can't say the same about de Niro in Dirty Grandpa. So what role would suit him best? A secondary role, maybe a Celestial or a supervillain manipulating from behind the scenes.

Eson the Researcher could be a role for him, especially since a connection could be established between this character and Star Lord. And since this Celestial was already introduced in the MCU, without having a big name assigned to him"¦

Sigourney Weaver

Sigourney Weaver in Avatar (Screen Rant)

Sigourney Weaver in Avatar (Screen Rant)

Sigourney Weaver has appeared in quite a few movies since her surprising hit, Alien, for which she was praised. However, her last notable appearance (as far as I’m concerned) was in Avatar, in which she had a more consistent role.

And, unfortunately for her, she was already announced for the next three Avatar flicks.

Given her history as Hollywood's first superheroine (she was one, after all, in the Alien movies), she should be considered for a Marvel or DC flick. And she should be a Goddess of some sort. Maybe someone having a connection with Wonder Woman? Or maybe an aging Anita Fite, putting her on a collision course with Darkseid and his search for the Anti-Life equation?

Who knows? Given her commanding on-screen presence, I can see her as a powerful telepath in a superhero film.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood (Roger Ebert)

Daniel Day Lewis in There Will Be Blood (Roger Ebert)

There are no chances that this guy would accept a role in a superhero flick. And it cannot be said that his roles fail to attract audiences - as a matter of fact, if it weren't for him, I guess Lincoln would have been a total flop.

But he is the greatest actor of our time. And he is known for actually becoming the character he portrays. And he alone could rejuvenate the DCEU. And you know what character he should portray, right? After taking on this role, he'd be the first actor to accept the Academy Award for a role in a superhero flick!

Granted, he'd accept it from the nut house, because anybody becoming the Joker stays that way. Don't you see him as an aging Clown Prince of Crime in a proper Dark Knight Returns adaptation? So what if Jared Leto will be kicked out? Bring Daniel Day Lewis for the win!

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep in Into the Woods (Sparkly Ever After)

Meryl Streep in Into the Woods (Sparkly Ever After)

She's one of the most prolific actresses, and definitely the most praised. And she is a living legend of the big screen. However, until now, she hasn't accepted a single role in a superhero movie. If before the MCU arrived it would have been a waste of time on her part, it cannot be regarded as such now.

The MCU is fun and Meryl Streep is an actress who has a lot of fun in her movies. I guess the role that should convince her to join the ever-growing list of stars signing with Marvel hasn't been written yet.

But maybe it will be written. And maybe she'll be the first Wasp. Just think about it. Meryl Streep could bring any character to life. And she should be the one to portray an aging superheroine who’s lost between dimensions for an eternity, to somehow be found afterwards.

She'd be able to bring that kind of a damaged persona to life. Don't you agree?

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood (Conservative Post)

Clint Eastwood (Conservative Post)

When you heard that the Old Man Logan storyline would be adapted by Fox, with Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine, did you also believe that it was a wasted opportunity? Yeah, Hugh Jackman is Wolverine. But only Clint Eastwood can be Old Wolverine.

But there is still a possibility here. If the rumors are true and Fox has indeed made a deal with Marvel Studios, maybe Old Man Logan will be properly brought to life. And I would be more than happy if Eastwood directs. If you've seen Unforgiven, you know what I mean.

Leave aside all the other actors and actresses on this list - if Clint Eastwood isn't offered such a role in the next few years"¦well, nothing will happen, actually. But I'd be very disappointed.

But, hey! At least Scott Eastwood is in Suicide Squad, right? At least we have that"¦

Helen Mirren

Helen Mirren (Telegraph)

Helen Mirren (Telegraph)

I don't know about you, but I believe that Helen Mirren is one of the most underplayed actresses of our time, relegated in the past years to playing in movies such as Arthur and RED. Sure, she did have some great parts in movies like Trumbo, but that isn't enough.

And, like Glenn Close, she could at least cameo in a Marvel or a DC flick. I do believe, for example, that she would have made a better impression as Frigga than Rene Russo did.

But there are plenty of other Goddesses in both the MCU and the DCEU. And Helen Mirren should grab a more consistent role. For example, if Eternity is to be featured in Marvel's shared universe (as it was hinted in Ant-Man and as it should be), maybe she should play her.

After all, it would be easy for the actress who brilliantly portrayed the Queen to bring to life one of Marvel's most important cosmic entities (not a Goddess, I know). I would sure enjoy seeing Mirren meeting Paul Rudd on the big screen.

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson (Nojomi)

Mel Gibson (Nojomi)

There's a lot of hate aimed at Mel Gibson. And it’s probably for good reason. After all, he is the only Hollywood star to ever harbor certain ideas"¦

Leaving this aside, Mel has proven himself time and time again to be a bankable actor. Furthermore, some his roles still hold up to this day as great performances, despite the controversy surrounding him. So, just like Robert Downey Jr. said (in vain), maybe he should catch a break and get a second chance.

I know - he was once up for a role in a Marvel flick, but he wasn't cast in the end. But picture him as a major supervillain in any comic book movie universe. As he said, some of the comic book movie roles are fun - and I guess he likes having fun.

So what do you think? Does he deserve another shot?

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster in Elysium (Collider)

Jodie Foster in Elysium (Collider)

I know - she has retreated from the spotlight. However, from time to time, she does act. Unfortunately, the roles she accepts (Elysium, Nim's Island) aren't exactly the roles worthy of her stature. Does she take them just for the money? I guess she does, just like many other actors who started their careers in the "˜80s.

And she has proved that she can play the part, no matter what the part demanded. So what if she joins one of the bigger comic book shared universes? As with Helen Mirren, she'd be great as an all-powerful entity in the MCU or as a queen of old in the DCEU.

She did have some harsh words to say about the industry, in particular that Hollywood doesn't like taking risks. And it may be so. However, she could still be convinced by the right script. And I guess the DCEU is perfect for her - after all, Warner Bros. does gamble with its superhero flicks.

Tom Hanks

The Haircut of a Villain (Kaddy KD)

The Haircut of a Villain (Kaddy KD)

There was a time when Tom Hanks was in all the movies. That time passed after he signed for the controversial adaptation of The Da Vinci Code. And he's still doing sequels"¦

Anyway, he did have some memorable and critically acclaimed performances afterwards, but his star doesn't shine so brightly right now. So maybe someone should consider him for a role in a superhero movie.

After all, the actor did say that he'd love to play a Batman villain. What villain? Well, given his age, maybe he should bring a proper Ra's Al Ghul to life, one that can actually regenerate his vitality in the Lazarus Pit. I know - it's difficult to see him fighting Ben Affleck's Dark Knight"¦

Hush fits him better, right? And that even if there is a great age difference between him and Ben Affleck.

And lastly"¦

Burt Reynolds

Burt Reynolds (The Geeko)

Burt Reynolds (The Geeko)

He's not much of an actor, even if his role in Deliverance gave me chills and he had quite a strong performance in Boogie Nights. Nonetheless, he'd be great in a superhero flick.

What flick might that be? Obviously, in Deadpool! He shouldn't have too meaty a role. A cameo is enough for him. But imagine the quips, especially since one of Deadpool's greatest marketing tricks was channeling Burt Reynolds.

It’d be great, and you know it!

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