If you’re an MCU fan (that’s Marvel Cinematic Universe for the uninitiated), you’ve probably already watched Avengers: Infinity War. With follow-up film Avengers: Endgame coming out in April (let the countdown begin), now’s as good a time as any to refresh your memory on the epic events of the franchise’s nineteenth instalment.
Jam-packed with Hollywood’s finest, many of them have been playing these characters for almost a decade. But in between all the assemblies, standalones, and cameos they’ve found time to feature in other work too.
Let’s take a look at what else they’ve been up to before watching them this Sunday on M-Net.
Robert Downey Jr.
Plays Iron Man/Tony Stark
Since his debut as Iron Man in 2008 (which was also the debut of the MCU) Downey’s been busy making the best Hollywood comeback in years. Avengers: Endgame reportedly marks the final movie in his MCU contract; which doesn’t necessarily mean the end of RDJ in the MCU. But even if it does, we can still look forward to him take on the role of Dr. Dolittle and return to Sherlock Holmes.
MORE HERE: Robert Downey Jr.'s top seven roles.
Chris Hemsworth
Plays Thor
The Aussie actor has embraced the comedic joy of playing Thor (particularly in 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok). He’ll further embrace his comedic gift in 2019, with Men in Black: International, the highly anticipated fourth instalment of the alien franchise, co-starring his Ragnarok co-star Tessa Thompson.
MORE HERE: Top 15 Australian actors.
Mark Ruffalo
Plays Hulk/Bruce Banner
Like Downey, he’s clocked up numerous MCU appearances since he joined the universe, which is particularly impressive considering he replaced original Hulk actor, Edward Norton. Slated into the future is an HBO miniseries - titled I Know This Much Is True - in which he plays a dual role as twin brothers Dominick and Thomas Birdsey.
MORE HERE: What the stars are saying about Avengers: Infinity War.
Chris Evans
Plays Captain America/Steve Rogers
What’s Evans been up to? Filming in South Africa apparently! He touched down in Mzansi to shoot scenes for his upcoming role in the biographical drama, The Red Sea Diving Resort.
MORE HERE: Chris Evans and Michelle Monaghan are Playing It Cool.
Scarlett Johansson
Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff
Despite being the highest-paid actress in the world, Johansson has had to play second fiddle to the MCU boys. Until now. Last year it was announced that Black Widow would finally get her own standalone movie. About time…especially considering that none of the standalone MCU movies released thus far are headlined by a female superhero.
MORE HERE: Ten fun facts about Scarlett Johansson.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Plays Dr. Stephen Strange
Cumberbatch is on his way to the Golden Globes this Sunday. He’s been impressing audiences with his role as the title character in the miniseries Patrick Melrose, earning a nomination for Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television.
MORE HERE: Why we love Benedict Cumberbatch.
Don Cheadle
Plays War Machine/ Lt. Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes
He joined the MCU with Iron Man 2, taking over the role of Rhodes from Terrence Howard. He’s made numerous MCU appearances since, but next up is a comedy series called Black Monday, about the stock market crash of 1987.
MORE HERE: Top 10 green actors.
Tom Holland
Plays Spider-Man/Peter Parker
Despite the title, Avengers: Endgame does not mark the end of the MCU. After all, we still have Spider-Man: Far From Home, which will be released after Endgame, to look forward to, with Holland reprising his Spidey senses for the sequel.
Chadwick Boseman
Plays Black Panther/T’Challa
Boseman goes from king to cop as he takes on the role of an NYPD detective in 17 Bridges. Before that, let’s hope we see him on the Golden Globes red carpet to support Black Panther’s three nominations.
MORE HERE: 12 things you need to know about Black Panther.
Anthony Mackie
Plays Falcon/Sam Wilson
He was supposed to be at the first ever Comic Con Africa – which was held in Jozi last year – but was unfortunately waylaid by Hurricane Florence. On the film front, he appeared in The Hate U Give, based on the best-selling novel by Angie Thomas.
MORE HERE: 10 MCU Easter eggs.
Peter Dinklage
Plays Eitri
He may not be a major player in the MCU, but we really wanted to say Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones. Game of Thrones. The eighth and final season is coming soon to M-Net, and we are super excited. Dinklage may have only one MCU movie to his name, but he has every GoT season to his credit.
WATCH: Peter Dinklage, Emilia Clarke, and Indira Varma discuss Dany’s war council.
Bradley Cooper
Plays Rocket
Cooper’s been doing more than just acting. He made his directorial debut with the musical A Star is Born, in which he co-stars with Lady Gaga. Not only does he sing in the movie, but he helped with the songwriting too…in addition to co-writing the script. Now he’s on his way to the Golden Globes, where he’s been nominated for Best Director and Best Actor Drama.
MORE HERE: 76th Golden Globe® Award nominations.
Josh Brolin
Plays Thanos
Last year was a villainous time for Brolin, playing the Big Bad in both Avengers: Infinity War and Deadpool 2. With Endgame on the way (and us fervently hoping for a Deadpool 3) it’s definitely not the last we’ll see of Brolin kicking ass as the antagonist.
Watch these amazing actors assemble for Avengers: Infinity War, your #SundayNightMovie on 6 January at 20:05 on M-Net channel 101.
While you’re around, you may as well check out what the Star Wars’ actors have been up to here.