The DC Universe is full of surprisingly familiar faces and voices when it comes to its movie and TV show adaptations, with many unexpected performers making their way in. As one of the biggest comic book franchises competing with the movies of the MCU, it’s no wonder that DC has managed to nab many A-list celebrities for various roles. However, where exactly these high marquee value names come into play can often be a surprise for the franchise.
In some cases, some of the best DC performances ever come from surprising casting choices that seem downright strange on-paper, either deemed unsuited to their roles or to comic book movies in general. Other times, voice roles can disguise the idenтιтy of the actor behind a character to remain a surprise to many long after the project they’re featured in releases. DC seems unafraid to bring actors into the fold that are consistently a shock to find in the end credits of their films and shows.
10
The McElroy Brothers As Henchmen
Batman Unburied
Batman is a popular enough figure to be DC’s most well-represented hero by a wide margin. His escapades range from live-action movies to animated shows, but even multiple serialized drama podcasts featuring the character have been greenlit in recent years. These podcasts have resulted in all sorts of bizarre Batman scenes most have never heard of, with Batman Unburied being one of the most prominent.
Batman Unburied features quite a stacked and wide-reaching cast, with the dulcet tones of both Winston Duke and Coleman Domingo playing Bruce Wayne and Batman. However, the series also pulls performances from obscure of stars as the McElroy brothers, known for their work on other podcasts such as My Brother, My Brother and Me and The Adventure Zone. In the show, Justin and Griffin McElroy play some dastardly henchmen, whereas Travis plays the steadfast Officer Preslowski.
9
Matthew Mercer Voiced Joseph “Ice Pick Joe” Krimple
Beware The Batman
One of the most iconic voice actors of all time, it’s amazing that Matthew Mercer still manages to surprise with his brief acting appearances. Matthew Mercer is most famous as the charismatic dungeon master of the web series Critical Role, which eventually received its own animated adaptation also working closely with the veteran voice actor. His versatile voice has featured in a wide range of video games, cartoons, and anime, still impressively difficult to recognize despite his ubiquity.
It’s almost a no-brainer that Matthew Mercer has had his brushes with the DC Universe, but who he plays is still a big shock. Mercer has lent his talents to the lesser-known animated Batman series Beware the Batman, playing Joseph “Ice Pick Joe” Krimple, a victim of the villain Humpty Dumpty. Mercer’s voice is easier to pick out in the Batman cast in the Rocksteady Arkham series of video games, playing Mr. Freeze, Robin, and Anarky.
8
Julie Andrews As Karathen
Aquaman
One of the most bizarre casting choices in the entirety of the DCEU, Julie Andrews’ role as Karathen in Aquaman is an odd fit indeed. Andrews is a prestige actress widely beloved for her star performance in the classic family movie Marry Poppins, winning an Oscar for the magical nanny in 1965. Since then, she’s also gained further notoriety in the modern day for her time opposite Anne Hathaway in The Princess Diaries duology.
Such an impressive track record makes it all the more odd that Julie Andrews was James Wan’s choice for the sea creature Karathen in 2018’s Aquaman. The powerful leviathan ends up becoming one of Aquaman’s most valuable allies, speaking to him telepathically in Andrews’ voice. Few could have ever guessed such a strange pairing of actress and character, and Julie Andrews has admitted to not understanding her role as a sea monster in Aquaman quite openly.
7
Andy Serkis As Alfred
The Batman
Despite being such a well-known actor, Andy Serkis’ face is still not the most recognizable to general audiences. Known far and wide as the most revolutionary motion-capture actor, Andy Serkis is beloved for bringing CGI characters like Gollum from The Lord of the Rings or Caesar from the Planet of the Apes prequel trilogy to life. Still, Serkis is also a respected traditional actor, delving into superhero movies before as the delightfully evil Ulysses Klaue in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
That makes it all the more surprising that he’d be recruited as the next live-action Alfred in Matt Reeves’ The Batman starring opposite Robert Pattinson. Serkis’ previous MCU affiliation and relative young age for an Alfred Pennyworth made him a surprising choice for the star-studded cast of The Batman. Luckily, he’s quite phenomenal as a younger, but somehow more exasperated Alfred dying to keep a young brooding Bruce Wayne in line with his vigilante ambitions.
6
Ben Affleck As Batman
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Ben Affleck is an interesting case for a surprising superhero casting that ended up working out. While Affleck has been a famous movie star for some time, the initial announcement that he was to be cast as the DCEU’s version of Batman was met with quite a few raised eyebrows. After all, Affleck’s last attempt at playing a dour vigilante with a cowl and mask didn’t work out so well with 2003’s Daredevil.
It was a big gamble for the DCEU to introduce Affleck as one of their biggest heroes in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Luckily, even the most vocal Batffleck doubters can admit that the Gigli star did a great job as a grizzled, older veteran Batman. For all the faults the DCEU had, Ben Affleck’s time as the Dark Knight certainly wasn’t one of them, even if it was a surprising casting announcement.
5
Heath Ledger As The Joker
The Dark Knight
Ben Affleck might have been a contentious DC movie casting pick that worked out, but no one can hold the ultimate crown of that тιтle like Heath Ledger’s Joker. Today, Ledger’s iconic Joker performance is remembered as not only one of the best DC characters ever, but one of the greatest cinematic villains in general. Ledger’s mannerisms, sense of comedic timing, and commitment to his role went on to leave a lasting impact on all future actors to wear the white face paint and green hair dye.
It’s hard to remember now, but back when Ledger was announced as Christopher Nolan’s Joker, some fans were outraged. Ledger was best known at the time for the soft-spoken LGBT romance film Brokeback Mountain, a far cry from the Clown Prince of Crime. Of course, the idea that Ledger wasn’t fit for the role seems laughable now, but his casting was a shocking one leading up to The Dark Knight‘s release.
4
Lynda Carter As Asteria
Wonder Woman 1984
While superhero TV of the 70s was dominated by The Incredible Hulk on Marvel’s side of things, DC was more famous for ABC’s Wonder Woman, starring one Lynda Carter as the тιтular heroine. The live-action show is hugely responsible for Wonder Woman’s popularity as one of DC’s “Big Three” and perhaps the single most iconic female superhero in general. It’s only fitting that Carter would eventually be cast in a DCEU cameo, but where exactly she shows up is a huge surprise.
In the post-credits scene of Wonder Woman 1984, the camera follows a mysterious woman who saves the life of a mother and child, only to reveal her face as Lynda Carter. Specifically, Lynda Carter plays the Amazonian Asteria, who was explained earlier in the film as a long-lost leader of the tribe of female superhumans who sacrificed herself to free them of mankind’s subjugation centuries ago. Though her cameo was a fitting one, few could have expected Lynda Carter to show up in any capacity in a modern DCEU film.
3
Jeffrey Dean Morgan As Thomas Wayne
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Jeffrey Dean Morgan is an actor who has quickly become very familiar with comic book adaptations. Between his time as Negan on The Walking ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, Comedian in Watchmen, Billy Butcher’s inner self in The Boys, and now Conquest in Invincible, it might seem shocking that Jeffrey Dean Morgan has never had a credited role in a mainline DC film. However, he has appeared uncredited in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice as Thomas Wayne.
In Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice‘s striking flashback sequences chronicling Bruce Wayne’s origins as Batman, Jeffrey Dean Morgan has a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance as the gallant Thomas Wayne. It’s uncertain why he appears uncredited in this role, and can be difficult to recognize in the commotion of the violent scene. But appearing in stylized slow-motion action scenes directed by Zack Snyder was nothing new for Jeffrey Dean Morgan, making him a great fit even if it is hard to realize it’s him.
2
Robert Patrick As Auggie Smith
Peacemaker
Between John Cena, Danielle Brooks, and a smattering of cameos from the DCEU, Peacemaker makes out with a high-value credits list by the time the last episode of season 1 aired. Yet one of the standouts of the cast in terms of both recognition and acting ability is Robert Patrick, who plays Peacemaker’s dad, Auggie Smith. Smith morphs into one of the bigger threats in the show as the dangerous vigilante White Dragon.
Robert Patrick is most famous for his role as the T-1000 in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, easily one of the most terrifying and dangerous Terminator models. Though he plays a very different brand of evil in Peacemaker, Patrick’s ability to channel vile racist rhetoric and cold robotic cunning in equal measure is a terrifying talent indeed. He may be difficult to recognized due to his old age, but Robert Patrick proves he’s still a force to be reckoned with in the welcome surprise casting.
1
Shaquille O’Neal As Steel
Steel
Not every big chance DC takes on surprisng casting choices is a gamble that pays off. Enter 1997’s Steel, which made a solo movie out of the relatively obscure metal-based hero of the same name, also known by his on-the-nose secret idenтιтy John Henry Irons. The film commissioned none other than NBA superstar center Shaquille O’Neal to play the iron-clad hammer-swinger in the low-budget comic book movie.
Infamously, Steel is widely considered to be one of the worst DC movies ever made, thanks in large part to Shaq’s inability to act. Casting NBA athletes in movies isn’t always a bad idea (Kevin Garnett is amazing in Uncut Gems as a fictionalized version of his 2012 self), but Steel makes it abundantly clear that star power alone isn’t enough to carry a comic book movie. Nothing else proves that DC‘s surprising casting choices aren’t always the best ones better.
Upcoming DC Movie Releases
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Superman
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July 11, 2025
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Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow
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June 26, 2026
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The Batman Part II
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October 1, 2027
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