The Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s multitude of actors have delivered a range of impressive performances since the franchise’s launch in 2008. Among the most praised character portrayals from over the years are Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark/Iron Man, Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch, Tom Holland as Peter Parker/Spider-Man, Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda, and Tom Hiddleston as Loki.
Rightfully so, the aforementioned performances have wowed the masses, though there also exist several lesser-recognized MCU roles with brilliant interpretations by their actors. From members of the Guardians of the Galaxy to the MCU’s newest Black Panther, these portrayals are far too often overlooked.These five MCU acting performances deserve much more appreciation.
Karen Gillan as NebulaKaren Gillan’s Nebula debuted in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy and has since appeared in the two subsequent Guardians films, as well as Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Thor: Love and Thunder. The adopted sister of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), Nebula suffered horrific abuse at the hands of their father Thanos (Josh Brolin). Meshing the character’s traumatic past with the humorous tone of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies was a challenge, but Gillan flawlessly evokes Nebula’s lasting scars from the torture she endured while making room for more lighthearted moments.
Gillan and Saldaña forge a convincing sisterly bond between Nebula and Gamora, who carry so much history. Furt.