When you think of your favorite actors in the Mission: Impossible series, you might be pleasantly surprised to find that many have also donned the capes and masks of Marvel and DC’s finest. Let’s dive into the exhilarating world of these multi-faceted performers, uncovering their thrilling adventures across these diverse universes.
Ving Rhames: From Luther Stickell to Charlie-27
Ever since the inception of the Mission: Impossible franchise, Ving Rhames has left his mark on audiences as the unforgettable Luther Stickell.
“He appeared as the character Charlie-27 toward the end of the film, as a nod to the original lineup of Guardians of the Galaxy from 1969.”
His commanding presence gained further acclaim when he appeared in Marvel’s 2017 film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Henry Czerny: From Kittridge to Toyman
Henry Czerny first graced the silver screen as Kittridge, the director of the Impossible Mission Force (IMF), in the inaugural Mission: Impossible film in 1996. Afterward, he demonstrated his versatile acting prowess on The CW’s Supergirl.
“He appeared on two episodes of Supergirl as Winslow Schott Sr./Toyman, the father of Supergirl’s good friend Winn Schott.”
He will again fill the shoes of Kittridge in the seventh installment of the Mission: Impossible series, Dead Reckoning Part One, set to hit theaters on July 12.
Dominic Purcell: From Ulrich to Heat Wave
Dominic Purcell had a relatively minor role in Mission: Impossible II, playing a henchman named Ulrich. However, he later took center stage in Marvel and DC’s comic book universes.
“He starred as Drake in Blade: Trinity and played Mick Rory/Heat Wave as part of The CW’s Arrowverse, primarily on the series Legends of Tomorrow.”
Laurence Fishburne: From Theodore Brassel to Bill Foster
Laurence Fishburne, a seasoned actor, has an impressive portfolio that includes roles in the Mission: Impossible film series and several Marvel and DC projects.
“He portrayed Theodore Brassel, the director of the IMF, in Mission: Impossible III. Fishburne also voiced the Silver Surfer in the 2007 Marvel movie Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, played Daily Planet editor-in-chief Perry White in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and starred as Dr. Bill Foster in the MCU’s Ant-Man and the Wasp.”
This varied selection of roles showcases Fishburne’s exceptional talent in breathing life into diverse characters.
Billy Crudup: From Musgrave to Henry Allen
Billy Crudup is another Mission: Impossible actor who has ventured into the DC Extended Universe (DCEU).
“In the third Mission: Impossible film, the Almost Famous star played an antagonist named Musgrave, who betrayed Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt.”
Crudup contributed to the DCEU as Henry Allen, the father of Barry Allen/The Flash, in Justice League and Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
Maggie Q: From Zhen to Wonder Woman
Mission: Impossible III star Maggie Q has considerably impacted the live-action and animated superhero realms.
“She played Zhen, a member of Ethan’s team, in the third Mission: Impossible movie.”
Her vocal talents were also used when she voiced Princess Diana/Wonder Woman on the animated series Young Justice.
Eddie Marsan: From Brownway to Headmaster
A versatile character actor, Eddie Marsan has showcased his range in the Mission: Impossible series and the irreverent Marvel movie Deadpool 2.
“In the third Mission: Impossible film, he played Brownway, one of Owen Davian’s henchmen. In the 2018 Deadpool sequel, Marsan portrayed the villainous headmaster of the Essex House for Mutant Rehabilitation.”
Jeremy Renner: From William Brandt to Hawkeye
Jeremy Renner, another impressive actor who traverses the line between Mission: Impossible and Marvel, first appeared in Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol (2011) as William Brandt, later reprising the role in Mission: Impossible — Rogue Nation (2015).
“He made his Marvel debut as Clint Barton/Hawkeye in Thor and suited up as the archer for several MCU films.”
Renner most recently brought Hawkeye to the small screen in his standalone Disney+ series in 2021.
Tom Hollander: From UK Prime Minister to Alfred
Tom Hollander, known for portraying the UK Prime Minister in Rogue Nation, later showcased his vocal talents in the animated DC Comics show Harley Quinn.
“On Max’s Harley Quinn, Hollander voiced Alfred and Woke Goon.”
Angela Bassett: From Erika Sloane to Queen Ramonda
Angela Bassett made a significant impact in 2018, starring as CIA director Erika Sloane in Mission: Impossible — Fallout and Queen Ramonda in Marvel’s Black Panther.
“Bassett returned as Ramonda in Avengers: Endgame (2019) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022).”
Her magnetic performances have indeed made her a queen of the silver screen.
Henry Cavill: From August Walker to Superman
Henry Cavill has the honor of playing a villain in the Mission: Impossible series and a superhero in the DC Comics universe.
“In Fallout, Cavill starred as August Walker. In the DCEU, he made his first appearance as Clark Kent/Superman in the 2013 movie Man of Steel.”
Notably, Cavill’s Mission: Impossible mustache caused a stir when he had to film reshoots for Justice League during the production of Fallout. The mustache’s CGI removal in Justice League remains a memorable anecdote.
Hayley Atwell: From Peggy Carter to Grace
Hayley Atwell, widely known for her role as Peggy Carter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), will join the Mission: Impossible franchise as Grace in Dead Reckoning Part One.
“Atwell portrayed Peggy in several Marvel films including Captain America: The First Avenger and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. She also starred on the series Agent Carter, which ran for two seasons on ABC.”
She returned to the MCU recently as a variant of Peggy in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Pom Klementieff: From Mantis to Paris
Known for her portrayal as Mantis in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pom Klementieff is another star who has made the leap from superhero films to the thrilling world of Mission: Impossible.
She will be taking on the role of Paris in Dead Reckoning — Part One.
“Christopher McQuarrie, the director of Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, told Entertainment Weekly that he cast Klementieff after seeing her performance as the Marvel empath in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.“
Shea Whigham: From Briggs to George Stacy
In addition to playing Briggs in Dead Reckoning Part One, Shea Whigham has made his mark in both the Marvel and DC universes.
“He played Roger Dooley on the ABC and Marvel series Agent Carter. Then in Todd Phillips’ 2019 film, Whigham played one of two police detectives questioning people in Gotham about gruesome subway murders committed by Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix).”
Most recently, Whigham lent his voice to George Stacy in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
The Silver Screen Chameleon
This concludes our deep dive into the 15 Mission: Impossible franchise stars who’ve demonstrated their superhero chops in Marvel or DC films. As it turns out, these actors are as agile and adaptable as their characters, mastering the art of maneuvering between dramatically different roles in different universes.
So, keep an eye out the next time you watch a Mission: Impossible film or a Marvel or DC movie. You never know when your favorite IMF agent might appear as a superhero—or a supervillain!
