THEN AND NOW: The stars of the DC Extended Universe before they were famous

Olivia SinghJul 2, 2020, 15:50 IST

Margot Robbie starred on the soap opera "Neighbours" long before portraying comic-book character Harley Quinn.Grundy Television Australia; Warner Bros.

The DC Comics Extended Universe (DCEU) is comprised of films like "Man of Steel," "Wonder Woman," and "Birds of Prey."
The actors in the DCEU might be A-listers now, but it wasn't always that way.
Some stars booked their earliest roles in the '80s, while others began in the '90s and 2000s.
Before portraying Harley Quinn, Margot Robbie starred on the Australian soap opera "Neighbours"
Meanwhile, "Aquaman" star Jason Momoa portrayed Jason Ioane on the American drama series "Baywatch."

The DC Comics Extended Universe (DCEU) consists of blockbuster movies like "Wonder Woman" and "Aquaman," which are led by A-listers like Gal Gadot and Jason Momoa.

Although the actors who have portrayed iconic comic-book characters on the big screen are now huge names in Hollywood, it wasn't always that way. In many cases, their careers began with small roles in film and TV series.

Here are the earliest roles of the DCEU stars before they were famous.

Henry Cavill's first role was in a 2001 drama called "Laguna."

Henry Cavill in "Laguna." Kingsborough Pictures

Cavill made his debut as Clark Kent/Superman in the 2013 film "Man of Steel."

Henry Cavill in "Man of Steel." Warner Bros.

One of Amy Adams' earliest parts was a guest-starring role on "That '70s Show."

Amy Adams played a cheerleader on "That '70s Show" in 2000. FOX

Adams portrayed Lois Lane alongside Cavill in "Man of Steel."

Amy Adams in "Man of Steel." Warner Bros.

Michael Shannon had a minor role in the 1993 movie "Groundhog Day," which starred Bill Murray.

Michael Shannon in "Groundhog Day." Columbia Pictures

Shannon played a villain named General Zod in "Man of Steel."

Michael Shannon in "Man of Steel." Warner Bros.

One of Russell Crowe's first parts was a recurring role on the Australian soap opera "Neighbours."

Russell Crowe on "Neighbours." Grundy Television Australia

Crowe starred as Jor-El, the biological father of Clark Kent/Kal-El, in "Man of Steel."

Russell Crowe in "Man of Steel." Warner Bros.

Ben Affleck got his acting start in the '80s.

Ben Affleck on "The Voyage of the Mimi." PBS

Affleck first portrayed Bruce Wayne/Batman in 2016's "Batman v Superman."

Ben Affleck in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Warner Bros.

Jesse Eisenberg's first role was on the Fox series "Get Real," alongside Anne Hathaway.

Jesse Eisenberg on "Get Real." Fox

Eisenberg's portrayal of Lex Luthor in "Batman v Superman" was met with mixed reviews.

Jesse Eisenberg in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Warner Bros.

Jeremy Irons has been acting since the '70s, with roles on shows like "The Pallisers" and "Love for Lydia."

Jeremy Irons on "The Pallisers." BBC

Irons first starred as Alfred Pennyworth in "Batman v Superman."

Jeremy Irons in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice." Warner Bros.

Gal Gadot made her film debut as Gisele in "Fast & Furious," which was released in 2009.

Gal Gadot in "Fast & Furious." Universal Studios

Gadot brought Diana Prince/Wonder Woman to the big screen in "Batman v Superman" before landing a standalone franchise.

Gal Gadot in "Wonder Woman." Warner Bros.

One of Viola Davis' earliest roles was on the CBS medical drama "City of Angels."

Viola Davis on "City of Angels." CBS

Davis portrayed comic-book character Amanda Waller in David Ayer's 2016 film "Suicide Squad."

Viola Davis in "Suicide Squad." Warner Bros

Will Smith got his break in Hollywood starring on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air."

Will Smith on "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." NBC

Smith played Floyd Lawton/Deadshot in "Suicide Squad."

Will Smith in "Suicide Squad." Warner Bros.

Jared Leto starred as Jordan Catalano on the short-lived '90s teen drama "My So-Called Life."

Jared Leto on "My So-Called Life." ABC

Leto took on the iconic role of the Joker in "Suicide Squad."

Jared Leto in "Suicide Squad." Warner Bros.

At the start of his career, Jai Courtney appeared on shows like "Spartacus" and "Packed to the Rafters."

Jai Courtney in "Spartacus." Starz

Courtney starred as George Harkness/Captain Boomerang in "Suicide Squad."

Jai Courtney in "Suicide Squad." Warner Bros.

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje started acting in the '90s, starring in movies like "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls."

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje in "Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls." Warner Bros

Akinnuoye-Agbaje portrayed Waylon Jones/Killer Croc in "Suicide Squad."

Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje in "Suicide Squad." Warner Bros.

Model-turned-actress Cara Delevingne's first role was portraying Princess Sorokina in the 2012 movie "Anna Karenina."

Cara Delevingne in "Anna Karenina." Universal Pictures

In "Suicide Squad," Delevingne starred as an archeologist named June Moone, who became the Enchantress after a metahuman took over her body.

Cara Delevingne in "Suicide Squad." Warner Bros

Jay Hernandez starred as Antonio Lopez on the NBC sitcom "Hang Time."

Jay Hernandez on "Hang Time." NBC

Hernandez portrayed Chato Santana/El Diablo in "Suicide Squad."

Jay Hernandez in "Suicide Squad." Warner Bros / Youtube

Karen Fukuhara's first taste of Hollywood happened after she became an on-camera reporter for Disney's "Movie Surfers."

Karen Fukuhara in January 2016. Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

In "Suicide Squad," Fukuhara's Katana joined Task Force X during their mission in Midway City.

Karen Fukuhara in "Suicide Squad." Warner Bros.

Joel Kinnaman starred on Swedish shows like "Storstad" and films like "Easy Money."

Joel Kinnaman in "Easy Money." Tre Vänner Produktion AB

In "Suicide Squad," Kinnaman portrayed Rick Flag, who was tasked with keeping Waller's squad in line.

Joel Kinnaman in "Suicide Squad." Warner Bros.

Chris Pine's acting career began in the early 2000s with roles on shows like "ER" and "CSI: Miami."

Chris Pine on "CSI: Miami." CBS

Pine's Steve Trevor encountered Wonder Woman after his plane crashed and landed on the island of Themyscira.

Chris Pine in "Wonder Woman." Warner Bros.

At the onset of his acting career, Ezra Miller appeared on shows like "Californication" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Ezra Miller on "Californication." Showtime

Miller had cameos as The Flash/Barry Allen in "Batman v Superman" and "Suicide Squad" before making a proper debut in "Justice League."

Ezra Miller in "Justice League." Warner Bros via YouTube

In his first role, Jason Momoa played Jason Ioane on "Baywatch."

Jason Momoa on "Baywatch." NBC

Momoa was a scene-stealer as Aquaman/Arthur Curry in "Justice League."

Jason Momoa in "Justice League." Warner Bros.

Ray Fisher starred in theater productions before making his film debut in 2016.

Ray Fisher in October 2014. Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage

Fisher made his first appearance as Cyborg/Victor Stone during a cameo in "Batman v Superman."

Ray Fisher in "Justice League." Warner Bros.

Amber Heard appeared on shows like "The O.C." and "Criminal Minds" before she was famous.

Amber Heard on "The O.C." Fox

Heard first appeared as Mera in "Justice League" before starring alongside Momoa in "Aquaman."

Amber Heard in "Aquaman." Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures& © DC Comics

In the '90s, J.K. Simmons starred in Broadway productions and appeared in movies and TV shows.

J.K. Simmons on season one of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." NBC

Simmons appeared as Commissioner Gordon in "Justice League."

J.K. Simmons in "Justice League." Warner Bros.

Willem Dafoe's acting career began in the '80s.

Willem Dafoe in "The Loveless." Pioneer

Dafoe portrayed Vulko in "Aquaman."

Willem Dafoe in "Aquaman." Warner Bros

Patrick Wilson appeared in Broadway and off-Broadway shows before landing roles in films and TV shows.

Patrick Wilson on "Angels in America." HBO

In "Aquaman," Wilson portrayed King Orm, Arthur's power-hungry half-brother.

Patrick Wilson in "Aquaman." Warner Bros

Nicole Kidman's first role was in the Australian movie "Bush Christmas."

Nicole Kidman in "Bush Christmas." Umbrella Entertainment

Kidman portrayed Atlanna, Jason Momoa's on-screen mother, in "Aquaman."

Nicole Kidman in "Aquaman." Warner Bros.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II landed his first role in 2016, playing Cadillac on Netflix's "The Get Down."

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II on "The Get Down." Netflix

Abdul-Mateen starred as villain David Kane/Black Manta in "Aquaman."

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in "Aquaman." Warner Bros

Asher Angel appeared on shows like CBS' "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders" and Nickelodeon's "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn."

Asher Angel on "Criminal Minds." CBS

In 2019's "Shazam," Angel starred as 14-year-old Bill Baston, who received powers from a wizard.

Asher Angel in "Shazam." Warner Bros.

Zachary Levi starred as Kipp Steadman on the ABC sitcom "Less Than Perfect."

Zachary Levi on "Less Than Perfect." ABC

Levi starred as the titular character of "Shazam."

Zachary Levi in "Shazam." Warner Bros.

Jack Dylan Grazer appeared on a few shows before starring as Eddie Kaspbrak in the 2017 remake of "It."

Jack Dylan Grazer in "It." Warner Bros.

In "Shazam," Grazer portrayed Freddy Freeman, Billy's best friend.

Jack Dylan Grazer in "Shazam." Warner Bros.

Long before playing Harley Quinn, Margot Robbie starred on "Neighbours."

Margot Robbie on "Neighbours." Grundy Television Australia

Robbie made her debut as the iconic comic-book character in 2016's "Suicide Squad" and starred in a standalone film four years later.

Margot Robbie in "Birds of Prey." Claudette Barius/DC Comics

Mary Elizabeth Winstead was a child actor who starred on shows like "Passions" and "Wolf Lake."

Mary Elizabeth Winstead on "Passions." NBC

Winstead starred as crossbow-wielding Huntress/Helena Bertinelli in "Birds of Prey."

Mary Elizabeth Winstead in "Birds of Prey." Claudette Barius/ & DC Comics

Jurnee Smollett was a child star who appeared on shows like "Full House."

Jurnee Smollett on "Full House." ABC

Smollett starred as Black Canary/Dinah Lance in "BoP."

Jurnee Smollett on "Birds of Prey." Warner Bros.

Rosie Perez's journey in Hollywood began through dancing and acting.

Rosie Perez in "Do the Right Thing." Universal Pictures

Perez portrayed Gotham City Police Department cop Renee Montoya in "BoP."

Rosie Perez in "Birds of Prey." Warner Bros.

Ella Jay Basco's first-ever role was on season nine of "Grey's Anatomy" in 2013.

Ella Jay Basco on "Grey's Anatomy." ABC

Basco made her film debut in 2020, playing Cassandra Cain in "BoP."

Ella Jay Basco in "Birds of Prey." Warner Bros.

A few years into his acting career, Ewan McGregor landed the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi in the "Star Wars" franchise.

Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi in the "Star Wars" franchise. Lucasfilm

McGregor starred as "BoP" antagonist Roman Sionis.

Ewan McGregor in "Birds of Prey." Warner Bros.

Chris Messina's acting career began in the late '90s with small roles in films like "You've Got Mail."

Chris Messina in "You've Got Mail." Warner Bros.

Messina portrayed Roman's right-hand man named Victor Zsasz.

Chris Messina in "Birds of Prey." Warner Bros.

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