The best ever cameos in a Marvel film

WARNING! Major spoilers below

Marvel is leading the way in film, we expect the ultimate action, adventures, superheroes and villains, but what about all those surprise celebrity appearances? From comedians to music artists, let’s look back on the best ever Marvel cameos to date.

Matt Damon in ‘Thor: Ragnarok’

Who they play: As Thor returns to Asgard at the beginning of the film, he finds that it’s being run by his trickster brother Loki (who’s disguised himself as their father, Odin). As Loki enjoys his new world, he puts on a play that depicts his (fake) death, and Matt Damon is the actor that plays him.

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Why it’s so good: It’s just genuinely, properly funny. Taika Waititi’s direction of Thor: Ragnarok was a breath of fresh air, bringing life to the third instalment of what had been so far stagnant trilogy, and this was just one of countless brilliant moments during the film. Also, it’s Matt Damon.

Brad Pitt in Deadpool 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6gTO9hs2es

Who they play: The Vanisher, an invisible team member of X Force, a super=team created by Deadpool. The character only makes appearance for a split second where he is electrocuted (when it’s revealed Brad Pitt as the actor who plays him).

Why is it so good? It wasn’t your imagination, that really was Brad Pitt for 0.33 seconds. If you missed it, it’s probably because you blinked. It’s shocking and a real tummy-tickler; a small but brilliantly unexpected cameo.

Miley Cyrus in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’

Who they play: Miley Cyrus lent her voice to the Guardians of the Galaxy character Mainframe, who’s an artificial intelligence captain working alongside Ravenger captain Stakar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone), in one of the film’s five (!!!) post-credits scenes.

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Why is it so good? Because the pay off is worth it. You’ve sat through the film, and the first of these post-credits scenes, and then up pops and up pops Sly (sorry, Stakar), who’s trying to reunite his OG Guardians of the Galaxy team. Fans of comic book will recognise the gang he’s brought together as the 1975 Guardians; but really, this scene is all about Miley’s robot voice which we totally weren’t expecting.

Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in ‘X-Men: First Class’

Who they play: As per, Hugh Jackman is playing his now iconic role of Wolverine. In ‘X-Men: First Class’ he is approached in a bar by a young Charles Xavier (aka Professor X) and Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto) as they attempt to recruit him to their new team: the X-Men. Wolverine, however, is less than impressed by their offer.

Why is it so good? Wolverine is only on screen for about 20 seconds, but he still manages to produce one of the best, properly laugh out loud, moments of the film.

Joan Rivers in ‘Iron Man 3’

Who they play: Joan Rivers plays herself! A chat show host, dedicating her show to criticizing the new Iron Patriot armour after he decided to take matters into his own hands to find the Mandarin (a terrorist leader in the film).

Why is it so good? A woman of all trades, a comedian, actress, writer and television host, it can’t get much better than playing yourself in a film.

Tom Morello in ‘Iron Man’

Who they play: Tom plays a member of the terrorist group Ten Rings, who abducted Tony Stark in Afghanistan.

Why is it so good? Alongside playing guitar on the soundtracks for the film, the Rage Against the Machine guitarist appeared in a good old fashioned, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo. Legendary.

David Hasselhoff in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy 2’

Who they play: In the absence of his father, Star Lord (played by Chris Pratt), used to tell his school friends that David Hasselhoff was his father and he was unable to see him because of filming commitments. When Star Lord meets his real Dad, the shape-shifting ‘Ego the Living Planet’, they have a tense and emotional conversation, and his dear old Pops shape-shifts into actual David Hasselhoff. So basically, David Hasselhoff plays a mad “living planet”, who’s posing as himself. Got it?

Why is it good? Because having the actual Hoff in the film is the perfect pay-off for the joke!

Donald Glover in ‘Spider Man: Homecoming’

Who they play: New York criminal Alan Davies, also known as Prowler, who’s confronted by Spiderman who tries to interrogate him about a weapons deal.

Why is it good? Donald Glover was once championed to be the next Spider-Man (the role eventually went to Tom Holland), so it was an absolute treat for viewers to have him on screen in one way or another. And for those who are huge fans of the comic ooks, you’re ears will have pricked up when you heard the name Aaron Davis, as Davis is Miles Morales’ uncle. Who’s Miles Morales? He’s just another of the characters who don the Spider-Man mask (and who was also directly inspired by Donald Glover).

Danny Pudi in ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’

Who they play: Danny plays Moore (aka ‘Com Tech #1’), a communications officer for S.H.I.E.L.D, who was held at gunpoint by Falcon and Maria Hill as he opened the communications room after hearing a knock at the door.

Why is it so good? With the Russo brothers at the directing helm for ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’, we were sure to get some Community Easter Eggs in there, but Danny appearing was a special touch. In fact, the directors admitted that this could even be Danny playing his Community character Abed – who’s somehow found himself at the centre of Captain America’s world. Speaking on the Empire Podcast director Anthony Russo explained: “So [casting Community star Danny Pudi] was a nod to all the Community fans. You know Abed loves cameos, so we figured [we’d put him in]. We hadn’t officially decided [whether that was Abed], but knowing (Community creator) Dan Harmon, he’ll find a way to use it.”

Trevor Noah in ‘Black Panther’

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XP4Qtz6H-14

Who they play: Groit! Nope, that’s not a misspelling of ‘Groot’. He’s the artificial intelligence that is the voice of the Wakandan ship created by Shuri, used by Everett Ross (played by Martin Freeman) during a battle to protect Shuri’s lab.

Why is it so good? Because nobody knew! An extremely low-key cameo from the Daily Show Host.

Words: Katura Barrows – Robotham

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