List of Marvel Cinematic Universe film actors
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a media franchise and shared universe that is the setting of superhero films produced by Marvel Studios, based on characters that appear in Marvel Comics publications. Phases , , and , were known as "The Infinity Saga", featuring many franchises and their sequels, and the first four "Avengers" crossover films. is intended to feature seven sequels to earlier films, and four new film properties. As the franchise is composed of films adapted from a variety of Marvel Comics properties, there are multiple lead actors: Chris Hemsworth headlined as Thor in the  Thor films in the Infinity Saga and will again in the upcoming film "" (2022). Chris Pratt portrays the lead character, Peter Quill / Star-Lord, in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" films and will return for its sequel "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" (2023) and will join Hemsworth in "Thor: Love and Thunder". Paul Rudd stars as Scott Lang / Ant-Man and Evangeline Lilly co-stars as Hope van Dyne / Wasp in the "Ant-Man" films, with both actors returning for "" (2023). Benedict Cumberbatch portrays Stephen Strange and appears again in the upcoming "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness  (2022). Tom Holland portrays Peter Parker / Spider-Man in the Spider-Man" films and returns in "" (2021) where he is joined by Cumberbatch. Brie Larson portrays Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel, and will appear in "The Marvels" (2023), along with Teyonah Parris as Monica Rambeau and Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel. Scarlett Johansson stars as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in "Black Widow" (2021), after appearing in a supporting role in the Infinity Saga. Simu Liu stars as Shang-Chi in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" (2021), while Gemma Chan headlines as Sersi in the ensemble  film "Eternals" (2021). Mahershala Ali will headline "Blade" as Blade and Ryan Reynolds will star in an untitled "Deadpool" film as Wade Wilson / Deadpool. Anthony Mackie will star as Sam Wilson / Captain America in an untitled "Captain America" sequel, after appearing in a supporting role in the Infinity Saga. Multiple other cast members recur across multiple films and series within the franchise. The list below is sorted by film and the character's surname, as some characters have been portrayed by multiple actors. All characters that have made appearances in other MCU media, such as the short films, television series , or digital series, are noted. The Infinity Saga. of the franchise includes six films, featuring four different superhero properties, leading up to a crossover in the 2012 film "Marvel's The Avengers". The franchise's features three sequels to Phase One films, as well as two new film properties, and the crossover "", which released in 2015. features four sequels to earlier films, and four new film properties, as well as the crossover films "" (2018) and "" (2019). The films from Phase One through Phase Three are collectively known as "The Infinity Saga". The Infinity Saga saw multiple lead actors: Robert Downey  Jr. stars as Tony Stark / Iron Man; Edward Norton headlined "The Incredible Hulk" (2008), playing Bruce Banner / Hulk, but did not reprise the role in the future films, being replaced by Mark Ruffalo for all subsequent films involving the character; Chris Evans portrays Steve Rogers / Captain America; Chris Hemsworth plays Thor; Chris Pratt portrays Peter Quill / Star-Lord; Paul Rudd co-stars as Scott Lang / Ant-Man with Evangeline Lilly as Hope van Dyne / Wasp; Benedict Cumberbatch portrays Stephen Strange; Tom Holland portrays Peter Parker / Spider-Man; Chadwick Boseman portrayed T'Challa / Black Panther; and Brie Larson portrays Carol Danvers / Captain  Marvel. Samuel L. Jackson had cameo and supporting appearances as Nick Fury in several of the early films in the franchise, before co-starring in "The Avengers"; he would continue to have supporting roles in later films as well. Multiple other cast members recur across multiple films within the saga. Phase Four. The following films, along with "Fantastic Four", are part of .