


























© BrunoPress
0 / 27 Fotos
Edward Norton
- Mark Ruffalo is so familiar to audiences as Bruce Banner that it's easy to forget he wasn't the only one to play the Hulk on the big screen. Edward Norton also played the green hero in 'The Incredible Hulk' (2008). However, his version turned out to be incredibly forgetful.
© BrunoPress
1 / 27 Fotos
Liv Tyler
- 'The Incredible Hulk' (2008) wasn’t just unfortunate for Edward Norton. Liv Tyler's Betty Ross, Bruce Banner’s love interest, didn’t impress either.
© BrunoPress
2 / 27 Fotos
Halle Berry
- Halle Berry managed to snag two roles on two different franchises. The first was as Storm in the successful 'X-Men' franchise. The second was in 'Catwoman' (2004), which proved to be a nearly unwatchable disaster.
© BrunoPress
3 / 27 Fotos
Famke Janssen
- Known for her portrayal of Phoenix in the 'X-Men' franchise, we haven't seen much of Janssen since. She received somewhat mixed reviews, which sadly didn't help her career.
© BrunoPress
4 / 27 Fotos
January Jones
- Probably the most unforgettable character in 'X-Men: First Class' (2011), January Jones' Emma Frost didn't sit well with critics and fans alike.
© BrunoPress
5 / 27 Fotos
Jessica Alba
- In what was considered a disastrous superhero movie, Jessica Alba's Sue Storm in 'Fantastic Four' (2005) didn't please critics either.
© BrunoPress
6 / 27 Fotos
Ioan Gruffudd
- It seems like the 'Fantastic Four' movie wasn't particularly great for any acting career. Ioan Gruffudd played Mister Fantastic, and he hasn't been in any other major blockbuster since.
© BrunoPress
7 / 27 Fotos
Miles Teller
- Looks like there's a curse surrounding anyone who plays Mister Fantastic. The 2015 adaption of 'Fantastic Four' didn't really help Teller career-wise, although he's since recovered with movies like 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022).
© BrunoPress
8 / 27 Fotos
Jennifer Garner
- Possibly Jennifer Garner’s worst career decision was accepting the role of Elektra in 'Daredevil' (2003). Its spinoff, 'Elektra' (2005), turned out to be an even bigger disaster.
© BrunoPress
9 / 27 Fotos
Ben Affleck
- While Ben Affleck moved on to bigger and better things, he'll never be able to escape his role as Daredevil in the aforementioned 2003 movie of the same name. Known as one of the worst superhero films of all time, Affleck's performance was uninspiring and dull.
© BrunoPress
10 / 27 Fotos
Chris O'Donnell
- Chris O'Donnell prospects were promising, up until the catastrophe that was 'Batman & Robin' (1997). After playing Robin, it took him almost a decade to finally get a lead on 'NCIS: Los Angeles.'
© BrunoPress
11 / 27 Fotos
Alicia Silverstone
- Chris O'Donnell wasn't the only one who suffered after 'Batman & Robin' (1997). Alicia Silverstone quickly downgraded to voicing cartoons and getting cast in small roles.
© BrunoPress
12 / 27 Fotos
Mickey Rourke
- Many were excited to see 'Iron Man 2' (2010), but sadly it wasn't as good as people had hoped. Mickey Rourke's villain, Whiplash, was also highly disappointing, which wasn't great for his acting prospects in the new decade.
© BrunoPress
13 / 27 Fotos
Terrence Howard
- Originally cast as James Rhodes in the first installment of 'Iron-Man' alongside Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard didn't please fans. He was replaced by Don Cheadle.
© BrunoPress
14 / 27 Fotos
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
- We haven't seen much of Aaron Taylor-Johnson since he played Quicksilver in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' (2015). Many fans and critics complained about his character.
© Getty Images
15 / 27 Fotos
Brandon Routh
- What should have been Brandon Routh's big break turned out to be a disappointing performance. The general reception to 2006's 'Superman Returns' wasn't great either.
© BrunoPress
16 / 27 Fotos
Dane DeHaan
- Before Dane DeHaan’s role as the Green Goblin in 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' (2014), he seemed to be a rising star. Unfortunately, his performance didn't launch him to stardom like originally anticipated.
© BrunoPress
17 / 27 Fotos
Thomas Jane
- The 2004 movie 'The Punisher' didn't bring audiences in, and it was quickly forgotten. Sadly, Thomas Jane's movie career was dragged along with it.
© BrunoPress
18 / 27 Fotos
Helen Slater
- Helen Slater's big screen debut in 'Supergirl' (1984) was a huge critical and commercial dud. After the superhero movie's failure, Slater continued acting, but didn't get any roles as big as the heroine.
© BrunoPress
19 / 27 Fotos
Nicolas Cage
- The 2007 'Ghost Rider' movie didn't go over well. With Nicolas Cage in the lead, he hasn't been able to escape criticism over his failed superhero role since.
© BrunoPress
20 / 27 Fotos
Wesley Snipes
- The first two 'Blade' movies were highly successful, but things didn't look so great after the third and final installment, 'Blade: Trinity' (2004). With behind-the-scenes problems that showed on camera, Blade became the last big character portrayed by Snipes.
© BrunoPress
21 / 27 Fotos
Christopher Reeve (1952-2004)
- Christopher Reeve was on top of the world after the release of 'Superman' (1979). However, the fourth and final installment was highly disappointing. Reeve had to struggle with not being typecast. In 1995, he suffered a horse riding accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down, effectively ending his acting career.
© BrunoPress
22 / 27 Fotos
Topher Grace
- Mostly known for playing Eric on the popular sitcom 'That '70s Show,' Topher Grace didn't have much luck in his later roles. Especially after his first big movie role as Venom in 'Spider-Man 3' (2007).
© BrunoPress
23 / 27 Fotos
Tobey Maguire
- Tobey Maguire is the one and only Spider-Man for a lot of people. His first two performances were a huge success, but, as mentioned, 'Spider-Man 3' (2007) was a disaster.
© BrunoPress
24 / 27 Fotos
David Hasselhoff
- Having starred in television series like 'Knight Rider' and 'Baywatch,' everyone loves the Hoff. However, his 1998 movie 'Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.' didn't do much for his career.
© Getty Images
25 / 27 Fotos
Matt Salinger
- It's hard to imagine anyone other than Chris Evans portraying Captain America. But back in 1990, Matt Salinger actually scored the role first. But unfortunately for Salinger, he didn't have much of an acting career afterward. Fun fact though: he's the son of 'The Catcher in the Rye' author J.D. Salinger! Sources: (Screen Rant) (TheRichest) See also: The best worst films ever
© Getty Images
26 / 27 Fotos
© BrunoPress
0 / 27 Fotos
Edward Norton
- Mark Ruffalo is so familiar to audiences as Bruce Banner that it's easy to forget he wasn't the only one to play the Hulk on the big screen. Edward Norton also played the green hero in 'The Incredible Hulk' (2008). However, his version turned out to be incredibly forgetful.
© BrunoPress
1 / 27 Fotos
Liv Tyler
- 'The Incredible Hulk' (2008) wasn’t just unfortunate for Edward Norton. Liv Tyler's Betty Ross, Bruce Banner’s love interest, didn’t impress either.
© BrunoPress
2 / 27 Fotos
Halle Berry
- Halle Berry managed to snag two roles on two different franchises. The first was as Storm in the successful 'X-Men' franchise. The second was in 'Catwoman' (2004), which proved to be a nearly unwatchable disaster.
© BrunoPress
3 / 27 Fotos
Famke Janssen
- Known for her portrayal of Phoenix in the 'X-Men' franchise, we haven't seen much of Janssen since. She received somewhat mixed reviews, which sadly didn't help her career.
© BrunoPress
4 / 27 Fotos
January Jones
- Probably the most unforgettable character in 'X-Men: First Class' (2011), January Jones' Emma Frost didn't sit well with critics and fans alike.
© BrunoPress
5 / 27 Fotos
Jessica Alba
- In what was considered a disastrous superhero movie, Jessica Alba's Sue Storm in 'Fantastic Four' (2005) didn't please critics either.
© BrunoPress
6 / 27 Fotos
Ioan Gruffudd
- It seems like the 'Fantastic Four' movie wasn't particularly great for any acting career. Ioan Gruffudd played Mister Fantastic, and he hasn't been in any other major blockbuster since.
© BrunoPress
7 / 27 Fotos
Miles Teller
- Looks like there's a curse surrounding anyone who plays Mister Fantastic. The 2015 adaption of 'Fantastic Four' didn't really help Teller career-wise, although he's since recovered with movies like 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022).
© BrunoPress
8 / 27 Fotos
Jennifer Garner
- Possibly Jennifer Garner’s worst career decision was accepting the role of Elektra in 'Daredevil' (2003). Its spinoff, 'Elektra' (2005), turned out to be an even bigger disaster.
© BrunoPress
9 / 27 Fotos
Ben Affleck
- While Ben Affleck moved on to bigger and better things, he'll never be able to escape his role as Daredevil in the aforementioned 2003 movie of the same name. Known as one of the worst superhero films of all time, Affleck's performance was uninspiring and dull.
© BrunoPress
10 / 27 Fotos
Chris O'Donnell
- Chris O'Donnell prospects were promising, up until the catastrophe that was 'Batman & Robin' (1997). After playing Robin, it took him almost a decade to finally get a lead on 'NCIS: Los Angeles.'
© BrunoPress
11 / 27 Fotos
Alicia Silverstone
- Chris O'Donnell wasn't the only one who suffered after 'Batman & Robin' (1997). Alicia Silverstone quickly downgraded to voicing cartoons and getting cast in small roles.
© BrunoPress
12 / 27 Fotos
Mickey Rourke
- Many were excited to see 'Iron Man 2' (2010), but sadly it wasn't as good as people had hoped. Mickey Rourke's villain, Whiplash, was also highly disappointing, which wasn't great for his acting prospects in the new decade.
© BrunoPress
13 / 27 Fotos
Terrence Howard
- Originally cast as James Rhodes in the first installment of 'Iron-Man' alongside Robert Downey Jr., Terrence Howard didn't please fans. He was replaced by Don Cheadle.
© BrunoPress
14 / 27 Fotos
Aaron Taylor-Johnson
- We haven't seen much of Aaron Taylor-Johnson since he played Quicksilver in 'Avengers: Age of Ultron' (2015). Many fans and critics complained about his character.
© Getty Images
15 / 27 Fotos
Brandon Routh
- What should have been Brandon Routh's big break turned out to be a disappointing performance. The general reception to 2006's 'Superman Returns' wasn't great either.
© BrunoPress
16 / 27 Fotos
Dane DeHaan
- Before Dane DeHaan’s role as the Green Goblin in 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2' (2014), he seemed to be a rising star. Unfortunately, his performance didn't launch him to stardom like originally anticipated.
© BrunoPress
17 / 27 Fotos
Thomas Jane
- The 2004 movie 'The Punisher' didn't bring audiences in, and it was quickly forgotten. Sadly, Thomas Jane's movie career was dragged along with it.
© BrunoPress
18 / 27 Fotos
Helen Slater
- Helen Slater's big screen debut in 'Supergirl' (1984) was a huge critical and commercial dud. After the superhero movie's failure, Slater continued acting, but didn't get any roles as big as the heroine.
© BrunoPress
19 / 27 Fotos
Nicolas Cage
- The 2007 'Ghost Rider' movie didn't go over well. With Nicolas Cage in the lead, he hasn't been able to escape criticism over his failed superhero role since.
© BrunoPress
20 / 27 Fotos
Wesley Snipes
- The first two 'Blade' movies were highly successful, but things didn't look so great after the third and final installment, 'Blade: Trinity' (2004). With behind-the-scenes problems that showed on camera, Blade became the last big character portrayed by Snipes.
© BrunoPress
21 / 27 Fotos
Christopher Reeve (1952-2004)
- Christopher Reeve was on top of the world after the release of 'Superman' (1979). However, the fourth and final installment was highly disappointing. Reeve had to struggle with not being typecast. In 1995, he suffered a horse riding accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down, effectively ending his acting career.
© BrunoPress
22 / 27 Fotos
Topher Grace
- Mostly known for playing Eric on the popular sitcom 'That '70s Show,' Topher Grace didn't have much luck in his later roles. Especially after his first big movie role as Venom in 'Spider-Man 3' (2007).
© BrunoPress
23 / 27 Fotos
Tobey Maguire
- Tobey Maguire is the one and only Spider-Man for a lot of people. His first two performances were a huge success, but, as mentioned, 'Spider-Man 3' (2007) was a disaster.
© BrunoPress
24 / 27 Fotos
David Hasselhoff
- Having starred in television series like 'Knight Rider' and 'Baywatch,' everyone loves the Hoff. However, his 1998 movie 'Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.' didn't do much for his career.
© Getty Images
25 / 27 Fotos
Matt Salinger
- It's hard to imagine anyone other than Chris Evans portraying Captain America. But back in 1990, Matt Salinger actually scored the role first. But unfortunately for Salinger, he didn't have much of an acting career afterward. Fun fact though: he's the son of 'The Catcher in the Rye' author J.D. Salinger! Sources: (Screen Rant) (TheRichest) See also: The best worst films ever
© Getty Images
26 / 27 Fotos
Actors whose careers were nearly ruined by superhero movies
Not all careers survive superhero movies
© BrunoPress
Dominating the box office around the world, superhero movies are extremely popular. And while their success has launched many actors to stardom, some have sadly buried the careers of others. Whether the movie was good or bad, certain roles were simply not well received by audiences and critics alike.
Curious? Click on to discover the actors we've seen a lot less of since they starred in superhero movies.
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