From Spider-Man to Superman, 7 Iconic American Superheroes Currently Portrayed By British Actors
Between the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Extended Universe, fans have plenty of amazing superhero movies to enjoy. But despite their American origins, some of the biggest comic book adaptations feature English actors in the lead roles. Here are seven iconic American superheroes that are currently being portrayed by British actors.
1. Henry Cavill as Superman
After being sent to Earth on a spaceship from his home planet of Krypton as a baby, Clark Kent was raised on a farm in a small fictional American town called Smallville. In the comics, he grows up to become Superman but continues to live his double life as a journalist in the big fictional American city of Metropolis.
But in the 2013 movie, Man of Steel, and it’s ensemble sequels, Batman V Superman Dawn of Justice and Justice League, British actor Henry Cavill takes on the role of the superhero. American actors Christopher Reeves and Brandon Routh played Superman in previous film iterations, but Cavill’s version has been lauded as one of the best.
2. Robert Pattinson as Batman
Most fans know that Bruce Wayne was born and raised in the fictional American city of Gotham. But in the upcoming film, The Batman, British actor Robert Pattinson is taking on the role of the caped crusader.
Another U.K. actor, Christian Bale, famously played Batman in Christopher Nolan’s series of films. And he is often credited for bringing a level of darkness to the character that hadn’t been seen before.
3. Tom Holland as Spider-Man
In the Marvel comics, Peter Parker, aka Spider-Man is as American as apple pie. But in the current Sony/MCU Spider-Man movies, English actor Tom Holland is tackling the superhero role.
Spider-Man was previously played by another Brit, Andrew Garfield, and by American actor Toby McGuire before that. But Holland’s version is considered one of the best by far.
4. Sophie Turner as Pheonix
In Marvel’s X-Men comics, Jean Grey, aka Phoenix was born and raised in Upstate New York. But in the last two X-Men movies — X-Men: Apocalypse and Dark Phoenix — British actor Sophie Turner stepped into the role of the mutant superhero. Previously, the part of Jean Grey was portrayed by Dutch actor, Famke Janssen.
5. Tom Hardy as Venom/Eddie Brock
In the Marvel comics, Eddie Brock is an American journalist who grew up in San Fransisco. But in the 2018 film Venom and its upcoming sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, London-born actor Tom Hardy takes on the role.
While most fans fell in love with Hardy’s version of the character Marvel character, others criticized his inconsistent and significantly inaccurate New York accent.
6. Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange
In the MCU, New York City surgeon turned superhero, Dr. Stephen Strange is portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch. The Academy Award-nominated British actor introduced his version of the character in the 2016 movie, Doctor Strange. And he reprised the role in Avengers: Infinity War and Avenger: Endgame.
7. Nicholas Hoult as Beast
In the last four X-Men movies, British actor Nicholas Hoult played Hank McCoy, aka Beast, a character that was born and raised in smalltown Illinois. He appeared as Hank in X-Men: First Class, X-Men: Apocalypse, and the 2019 film, Dark Phoenix.
