There’s a surprising number of major MCU stars who have also voiced characters for Pixar Studios, though their roles can be wildly different. Pixar and Marvel make up two of the biggest movie franchises in the world, evidenced by stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Chris Evans playing characters for both. Despite Pixar releasing 26 films to date and the MCU currently consisting of 30 movies and over a dozen TV shows, there are only 14 actors who have worked for both. Some performers, like Patton Oswalt, Angela Bassett, and Owen Wilson, have played bigger roles for one franchise than the other.
Both studios are owned by Disney, meaning there’s a ton of crossover potential for blockbuster additions to resumes. It’s easier for MCU stars like Tom Holland or Chris Pratt to film a Pixar project in between MCU movies since animation doesn’t require them to change their appearances which could affect their time as Spider-Man or Peter Quill. They also tend to have shorter production schedules, which lines up since MCU movies can take up a lot of time for these stars. Despite that, many actors who appeared in films for both studios did so at totally different eras of their careers.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Valentina Allegra De Fontaine) – A Bug’s Life (Princess Atta) & Onward (Laurel Lightfoot)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Pixar career began before she showed up in the MCU, first appearing all the way back in the studio’s second feature film, A Bug’s Life (1998). There, she voiced Princess Atta, the ant colony’s queen in training who also was the love interest for the protagonist Flik. Dreyfus returned to Pixar in Onward (2020) as Laurel Lightfoot, the mother of the main characters. Those were lovable, family women but Louis-Dreyfus’ character in the MCU is totally different. She plays the manipulative Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who has been setting the stage for the upcoming Thunderbolts film where she will be reprising the role, which she originated in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021).
Willem Dafoe (Norman Osborn) – Finding Nemo (Gill)
His portrayal as the maniacal Norman Osborn/Green Goblin in 2002’s Spider-Man (2002) is iconic among superhero fans but Willem Dafoe went a more subdued route for his Pixar debut. In Finding Nemo (2003), Dafoe lent his voice to a Moorish idol fish named Gill, who is the leader of the Tank Gang that Nemo meets. While the character isn’t outlandish like many of Dafoe’s other roles, there’s a darkness to him that fits perfectly with Dafoe’s gravelly voice. Nearly 20 years after debuting as the Green Goblin, Dafoe reprised the role in the MCU in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) and was somehow an even better villain the second time around.
Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury) – The Incredibles & Incredibles 2 (Frozone)
There is no MCU without Jackson as it was his Nick Fury who showed up at the end of Iron Man (2008) and set the entire cinematic universe in motion. With a legendary legacy, it makes sense that Jackson has appeared in major franchises like the MCU. He added Pixar to his lengthy resume when he voiced Lucius Best, better known as Frozone, in The Incredibles (2004). It’s telling of Jackson’s talent that he helped make a supporting character like Frozone into one of the most memorable in Pixar history, and he reprised the role in The Incredibles 2 (2018). Although Frozone might never appear again, Jackson will portray Fury again in Secret Invasion (set for release 2023).
Owen Wilson (Mobius M. Mobius) – Cars Franchise (Lightning McQueen)
Even if he doesn’t have a ton of voice acting credits to his name, Wilson does have one of the most recognizable voices in cinema history. He has used his dulcet tones to bring Lightning McQueen to life in the Cars franchise (2006-present). Wilson recently joined the MCU in 2021’s Loki and will be back for season 2 as Mobius M. Mobius. He’s one of the few actors who is still playing both characters thanks to the new Cars on the Road series. Lightning is a brash competitor while Mobius has the likable everyman quality that so many Wilson roles share.
Patton Oswalt (Pip The Troll) – Ratatouille (Remy)
Oswalt is a self-professed nerd who has discussed his love for Marvel in the past. His first appearance in the MCU came back in 2014 in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. as the Koenigs, a group of identical siblings who popped up throughout the series. Oswalt is more closely connected to the MCU by his cameo in the post-credits scene of Eternals through disappointing CGI as Pip the Troll, appearing alongside Thanos’ brother Eros/Starfox. However, one of Oswalt’s biggest roles is the lovable rodent chef Remy in Ratatouille (2007), which earned him an Annie Award nomination. These characters are different but Oswalt nails the quality that makes them all likable.
Michael Keaton (Adrian Toomes) – Toy Story 3 (Ken)
Michael Keaton played two completely different roles across Pixar and the MCU. First, he showed up as a scene stealer in Toy Story 3 (2010), voicing the famous doll Ken. His overly positive attitude, love for fashion, and romance with Barbie made him a popular supporting character. Debuting in MCU years later, Keaton delivered a chilling performance in Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) as Adrian Toomes/The Vulture, who then showed up in Morbius (2022). As someone who is known for portraying Batman in the past, Keaton managed to dig deep and play one of the MCU’s best villains. He truly felt like a man doing horrible things in the name of his family and the unjust world around him.
Jeffrey Wright (The Watcher) – The Good Dinosaur (Poppa Henry)
For the most part, The Good Dinosaur (2015) is often forgotten among Pixar’s stellar catalog of films. It was the studio’s first box office flop and reviews were only solid rather than great as they have been in the past. It does boast a good but small voice cast, including veteran Jeffrey Wright, who had an important but relatively short role. Wright voiced Poppa Henry, the father of the protagonist who dies after saving him from debris. Wright brought the earnestness to the role that was needed, just like he brought the knowledge needed for his MCU voice role as the powerful Watcher in the What If…? series (2021-present).
Idris Elba (Heimdall) – Finding Dory (Fluke)
Idris Elba is someone who has been great in action, drama, comedy, and voiceover roles. Although his part in the MCU isn’t a leading one, it is still bigger than the role he held in a Pixar movie. Appearing in Finding Dory (2016), Elba voiced Fluke, a sea lion in California. While not overly memorable, Elba delivered the comedy aspects of the role to make the audience laugh often. He made his MCU debut in Thor (2011) Heimdall, Thor’s best friend who controlled the Bifrost. It was a completely serious performance, showing Elba’s versatility as he shined here just as he delivered the laughs playing Fluke.
Gael García Bernal (Jack Russell) – Coco (Héctor)
One of the most recent additions to the star-studded MCU cast is the talented Gael García Bernal. The Golden Globe winner appeared in the first MCU “special,” 2022’s Werewolf by Night as Jack Russell, also known as the titular character in that project. For Pixar, García Bernal starred in Coco (2017) as a character who didn’t harbor a major secret or have something vicious bubbling inside. He was Héctor, a resident of the Land of the Dead who ended up being the protagonist’s ancestor. García Bernal imbued Héctor with his charming personality and made sure the audience would love him before the big reveal of his identity.
Tom Holland (Peter Parker/Spider-Man) – Onward (Ian Lightfoot)
In many cases, Pixar movies are led by actors who are either just breaking out or aren’t household names. Onward proved to be different as the film featured two major stars from the Marvel Cinematic Universe leading the way. One half of the Onward pair was Holland, who voiced Ian Lightfoot, the teenage elf who moves the plot forward in his quest to see his father again. Holland brought his signature boyish charm to the role, which is something he perfected in the MCU in which he debuted as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Homecoming. It’s almost as if the role of Ian Lightfoot was tailor-made for Holland’s skills.
Chris Pratt (Peter Quill/Star-Lord) – Onward (Barley Lightfoot)
The other half of the Onward pair was Pratt, as he portrayed Barley Lightfoot, the older brother of Ian. Again, this is a character seemingly designed for Pratt as Ian managed to be both a slacker and someone with a heart of gold who was there for his friends and family. The same could be said of Pratt’s other famous characters like Andy in Parks and Recreation and of course as Peter Quill in the Guardians of the Galaxy films (2014-present). The similarities between Barley and Peter help show that this is Pratt’s ideal character type.
Angela Bassett (Queen Ramonda) – Soul (Dorothea Williams)
Bassett is a true modern legend of Hollywood, so it’s only right that she has nabbed roles for both Pixar and Marvel and though they’re pretty different on the surface, they share a bit in common. First, Bassett nailed the regal aspect of T’Challa’s mother, Queen Ramonda in Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther 2 (2022), as someone who commanded respect from everyone in her country. In Soul (2020), Bassett voiced Dorothea Williams, a famous jazz saxophonist whom the protagonist looks up to. Whether as a star musician or a powerful queen, Bassett felt like someone who had an impressive presence, even in animation.
Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America) – Lightyear (Buzz Lightyear)
The most recent Pixar film, Lightyear, features two MCU actors, including one in the lead role. The name on the marquee was Evans, who took on the daunting task of voicing a character whom audiences had already fully connected with. Buzz Lightyear is synonymous with Tim Allen, but Evans voiced the character himself, not the action figure seen in the Toy Story franchise. Evans’ voice work was commended by critics and fans and he made the character his own, bringing the heroic leadership qualities he exemplified best in the MCU, right from his debut as Captain America/Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011).
Taika Waititi (Korg) – Lightyear (Mo Morrison)
Only one actor has played a character in both the MCU and Pixar while also directing a film for the former, and that person is Taika Waititi. The director of Thor: Ragnarok (2017) and Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) has also played beloved character/narrator Korg in three movies so far and his comedic chops were evident in every appearance. He brought that same level of humor to Lightyear as Mo Morrison, a member of the team Buzz works with. The naive recruit was someone clearly in over his head and was there for comic relief but remained likable and valuable to the team throughout.
