Kaitlyn Murphy
It’s no secret that Marvel films are not the highest form of art– many of them consist of the same hero’s journey plot line, silly caped costumes, and lots of guns and explosions.
However, Angela Bassett was nominated for her role as Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at this year’s 95th Academy Awards, making history as the first actor nominated for a Marvel role.
Bassett took home the Best Supporting Actress title at the Golden Globes, Critics Choice Awards, and NAACP Image Awards, but lost the Oscar to Jamie Lee Curtis from Everything Everywhere All At Once. Understandably, fans were disappointed in the decision and called it a snub– Bassett delivered a phenomenal performance in the film that was also a beautiful tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman.
After reflecting, it seems there have been many great Marvel performances that went overlooked because of the Academy only considering the films for technical or soundtrack categories.
Here are 5 Marvel acting performances that deserved to be recognized for their caliber.
5. Sebastian Stan (Best Supporting Actor: Captain America: The Winter Soldier)
Sebastian Stan might have only spoken 13 lines of dialogue in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but his performance went much deeper than words. Bucky Barnes went from being a bright-eyed prospective soldier in The First Avenger to a brainwashed Hydra killer in The Winter Soldier.
The first scene that comes to mind for the Oscar campaign would be when Hydra leader Alexander Pierce demands a mission report from Barnes, and he responds with a hauntingly empty stare. The years of abuse and mind control stripped the man he used to be down to nothing but a void.
Barnes begins to remember glimpses of his past, and mumbles that he knew Steve Rogers. Pierce takes that as a cue to “wipe him and start over,” as Barnes is strapped down and violently shocked in his head.
Stan’s acting in this scene is so raw that the viewer can almost feel his pain themselves. He continues to deliver impressive fight scenes and inner turmoil throughout the rest of the film, and almost kills Cap in the intense final battle.
However, there is a glimpse into his redemption when he drags Steve out of the river after the helicarrier crashed. The First Avenger Bucky Barnes might be long gone, but Stan’s nuanced performances left hope for the character’s future and deserved an Oscar nomination.
4. Tom Hiddleston (Best Supporting Actor: Thor: Ragnarok)
Now this was a bit of a hard one, since Hiddleston has played Loki in many projects spanning across Marvel films and television. While his role as the main villain in The Avengers was certainly impressive, Hiddleston dug a little deeper into Loki’s anti-hero side in Thor: Ragnarok.
Loki has been a complex character since his introduction in the original Thor. He was lied to his entire life by Odin, always left in Thor’s shadow, and ended up snapping and trying to, well, take over the entire Earth as a result. While it’s true that he was mostly dark and bloodthirsty in the past, he is also the God of Mischief and can live in any shape, form, or personality he wants.
Taika Waititi’s comedic approach to Ragnarok allowed Hiddelston to show off his impressive comedic skills that he’d only scratched the surface with in the Thor franchise before. He ended up delivering arguably his best performances in the MCU with this film.
For his package that plays during the ceremony, the Academy could’ve pulled the “get help” scene where Thor hauls Loki over his shoulders, distracts guards by saying his brother is dying and needs help, and then launches Loki at them. Loki passionately tries to steer Thor away from the plan, but to no avail.
It’s an iconic and hilarious scene in Ragnarok, and one of the many that Hiddelston shines in.
3. Robert Downey Jr. (Best Actor in a Leading Role: Iron Man)
The story (and suit) that started it all.
Robert Downey Jr. cemented himself in comic book to screen adaptation history with his portrayal of Tony Stark in the Iron Man and Avengers franchises. Stan Lee, a Marvel legend and one of the original creators of the character, said “That man was born to be Iron Man.”
His quips warrant genuine laughs from the audience, but it’s hard to truly love Stark sometimes because he can’t take anything seriously. Well, until he’s captured by the Ten Rings and forced to fight for his life in a cave.
This is where Downey’s performance transforms from good to great– the standout scene being when he gets an entire press conference to sit down on the floor and seem less formal, and then begins discussing how he never got to say goodbye to his father, Howard.
Stark listed questions he would ask him if he were still alive, and then owns up for the harm that his weapons have caused to Americans in a system that “takes zero accountability.” His evolution in a single film is astounding, not to mention the arc his character takes through Captain America: Civil War and all the way to Avengers: Endgame.
It’s honestly a disgrace that his genius (billionaire playboy philanthropist) was never taken seriously by the academy, especially since the MCU was only starting out at this point.
2. Elizabeth Olsen (Best Actress in a Leading Role: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness)
While this is not the first standout performance Elizabeth has given in an MCU film, her transformation into the true Scarlet Witch in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was absolutely terrifying.
Wanda Maximoff’s character arc was full of loss and heartbreak, in both the films and her show Wandavision, so it’s not hard to believe that she would eventually reach her breaking point.
When that time came, Elizabeth Olsen brought her A-game and proved that she can play both a hero and a villain, something few actors get the opportunity to showcase.
In the film, The Scarlet Witch essentially sets out to capture America Chavez, a teenager with the ability to travel the multiverse, so she can kill her and use her power to travel to a universe where her sons Billy and Tommy are alive.
She ends up killing multiple members of the Kamar-Taj, and also the Illuminati and Professor X from Earth-838.
However, Olsen doesn’t just portray Wanda as a heartless villain, but instead a complex character who is a product of all of the loss she’s experienced.
The Academy should have considered the scene towards the end of the film where she tearfully tells alternate universe Billy and Tommy that she’s their mom, even though her dark powers made her look like a monster. It’s an incredible acting performance, but was unfortunately overlooked.
1. Chadwick Boseman (Best Actor in a Leading Role: Black Panther)
If any actor in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe deserves an Academy Award for their performance, it is the late Chadwick Boseman for his role as King T’Challa in Black Panther.
Black Panther was Marvel’s most successful film at the Oscars– it was nominated in seven categories at the 91st Academy Awards (including Best Picture) and won for costume design, original score, and production design.
Even so, Boseman did not receive a Best Actor nomination.
Why wouldn’t Black Panther himself be honored when his performance shed a light on so many people that have been consistently underrepresented on the Marvel or other big budget stage.
Boseman portrays King T’Challa’s struggle with taking his father’s place as ruler of Wakanda, one of the most powerful nations in the world. He stays strong for the sake of his family–especially his younger sister, Shuri, who deeply admires him (even if she teases him more than she expresses her love).
Boseman engages in multiple highly impressive combat scenes, especially the ritual battle for the throne of Wakanda that he fights against his cousin, Killmonger.
The two engage in constant conflict throughout the entire film, but when T’Challa delivers a fatal stab wound to Killmonger, he takes him outside so he can see Wakanda one last time.
T’Challa even offers to save him, after all the harm he caused to his country.
Chadwick Boseman played King T’Challa with a grace and humility that will never be forgotten, and will remain a part of his legacy forever.
