Chilean actor Pedro Pascal has recently become the 10th performer to appear in Marvel, DC, and Star Wars projects, completing a rare pop culture trifecta that few actors achieve. In an entertainment landscape still largely dominated by major franchises, Pascal’s inclusion in these universes further highlights his growing stature and versatility in Hollywood.
Despite the continued success of original films like Oppenheimer, Barbie, and Sinners, studios consistently rely on established franchises to draw huge audiences. Marvel, DC, and Star Wars franchises remain cultural powerhouses, captivating fans worldwide through cinema and streaming platforms. Many actors prize roles in these franchises due to their massive popularity, engaging production experiences, and lucrative compensation.
Pedro Pascal’s Expanding Footprint in Major Franchises
Pedro Pascal first gained widespread recognition with his role in Game of Thrones, but he has since broadened his career with notable appearances in films and series such as Gladiator 2, The Last of Us, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, The Mandalorian, Wonder Woman 1984, Eddington, and Materialists. His ability to portray complex characters across genres has garnered him a respected position in the entertainment world.
His involvement in The Fantastic Four: First Steps marked Pascal’s official entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Reed Richards, better known as Mr. Fantastic. This role secured him a place among a select few who have appeared in all three major franchises—Marvel, DC, and Star Wars.
Pascal is especially prominent at Disney, not only starring in Marvel’s lineup but also as the face of Star Wars in his role as Din Djarin, the Mandalorian. While stunt performers Brendan Wayne and Lateef Crowder physically portray the helmeted character, Pascal brings the role to life through his voice and on-screen presence whenever the helmet is removed. In the upcoming film The Mandalorian & Grogu, he continues to headline as the bounty hunter, solidifying his current leadership status in both Marvel and Star Wars properties.
Pedro Pascal’s Role in DC Universe
Before ascending to his star status with The Mandalorian, Pascal made a brief but notable appearance in the DC Extended Universe. In the 2020 film Wonder Woman 1984, he portrayed the antagonist Maxwell Lord. Although the movie faced challenges with its release and reception during the COVID-19 pandemic, Pascal’s turn as a villain added another dimension to his pop culture repertoire.
His pop culture trifecta is distinguished by more than just appearances; Pascal has taken leading heroic roles in Marvel and Star Wars, while playing a significant villainous part at DC, demonstrating his range and appeal across different fan bases.
Other Actors Who Have Joined the Marvel, DC & Star Wars Circles
Only nine other actors have joined this exclusive group by appearing across Marvel, DC, and Star Wars franchises, though many took on less prominent roles in at least one of the three. The list includes:
Natalie Portman: Known as Jane Foster in Marvel’s Thor franchise and as Padme Amidala in the Star Wars prequels, Portman’s DC association is more obscure, playing Evey Hammond in V for Vendetta, based on a DC Vertigo comic.
Andy Serkis: Serkis is set to reprise his DC role of Alfred Pennyworth in the upcoming The Batman 2. He played villain Ulysses Klaue in Marvel’s Black Panther, while also portraying Supreme Leader Snoke in the Star Wars sequel trilogy and Kino Loy in Andor.
Ben Mendelsohn: Mendelsohn appeared as Director Orson Krennic in Rogue One and reprised the role in Andor Season 2. In Marvel, he played the alien Talos in Captain Marvel, and in DC, he took on John Daggett in The Dark Knight Rises.
Taika Waititi: Waititi voiced IG-11 in The Mandalorian and Korg in Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok. He had a minor DC role as Thomas Kalmaku in Green Lantern, later portraying Ratcatcher in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad.
Clancy Brown: Brown voiced the formidable Surtur in Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok and portrayed Blacksmith in Netflix’s Daredevil and The Punisher. His Star Wars roles include Nightbrother Savage Opress in The Clone Wars. Brown is well-known to DC fans as the voice of Lex Luthor in numerous animated series.
Dee Bradley Baker: A prolific voice actor, Baker voiced every clone in Star Wars animated series like The Clone Wars, Rebels, and The Bad Batch. At DC, he has voiced many characters, including Eagley in Peacemaker, and in Marvel, he played the faceless creature Morris in Shang-Chi.
David Harbour: Rising to fame with Stranger Things, Harbour took on the role of Red Guardian in Marvel’s Black Widow and Thunderbolts. His DC contribution came through animation as Frankenstein in Creature Commandos, and for Star Wars, he voiced Jedi Master Tajin Crosser in The Elder, part of the Star Wars: Visions anthology.
Tom Hardy: Hardy is known as Bane in DC’s The Dark Knight Rises and portrayed Venom in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe. His Star Wars participation was limited to a masked cameo as Stormtrooper 926 in The Force Awakens.
Alan Tudyk: Tudyk played Van Wayne in the DC sitcom Powerless and voiced four characters in James Gunn’s DC Universe projects. In Star Wars, he voiced the droid K-2SO in Rogue One, while his Marvel role consists of a brief uncredited cameo in Deadpool 2.
Pascal’s Pop Culture Achievement and Its Broader Impact
Pedro Pascal’s entrance into this exclusive club cements his position as one of the most versatile actors navigating today’s blockbuster and franchise-driven Hollywood. His lead roles in both the Marvel and Star Wars universes, coupled with his villain portrayal in DC, show a remarkable range that few other performers have matched.
This accomplishment comes at a time when franchise dominance continues to create a complex environment for original content amid shifting audience preferences and industry challenges. Pascal’s ability to consistently land major roles across these top franchises may influence future casting and project development, underlining the value of actors who can bridge multiple high-profile properties.
Going forward, fans and industry watchers alike will be curious to see how Pascal’s career evolves and whether more actors will follow his path to becoming part of this rarefied group within the realms of Marvel, DC, and Star Wars.
