#20. Ben Mendelsohn As Talos
Bend Mendelsohn catapulted to fame after his brilliant performance in the 2010 crime drama film Animal Kingdom. A few years later, he achieved a Golden Globe nomination for his role in Netflix’s horror film Bloodline. But did any of you notice that he also starred in the MCU film Captain Marvel?
Mendelsohn played the role of Talos, the iconic Skrull commander. They sure used a lot of makeup to make Mendelsohn look like the green wrinkly villain because in real-life, this Australian actor is gorgeous!
#19. Benedict Cumberbatch As Dormammu
Benedict Cumberbatch is a famous British actor, widely known for his brilliant portrayal of the wizard Strange in the MCU film Doctor Stranger. But little do people know that he was also the voice actor who played the evil antagonist Dormammu in the same film.
Cumberbatch claimed that it was his idea to voice the villain in the movie. Even though he did not have to wear any make-up for the role of Dormammu, he had to do some facial capture work for the role of this inter-dimensional enemy. It looks like Doctor Strange is facing off against a distorted image of himself!
#18. Christopher Eccleston As Malekith
British actor Christopher Eccleston had to go through one of the longest and hardest sessions of make-up in the whole MCU for his role as Malekith the Accursed in Thor: The Dark World. As he told The Express, “the first couple of days, the make-up took about seven to eight hours, but that they took it down to six hours and a half“.
He also stated that Marvel never told him that so much make-up would be involved in the process and that the make-up time ruined the role for him. Well, we must admit that the makeup crew did a brilliant job, because who would’ve guessed that beneath that mysterious layer of metal armor and creepy blue eyes was a handsome and sensitive man?
#17. Evan Jonigkeit As Toad
In the film X-Men: First Class we see another actor playing the role of Toad. Instead of his classic green appearance, the actor Evan Jonigkeit wore binocular-like glasses, a sharp Mohawk and a turned down smile with scales covering his whole face.
The make-up would take up to three and a half hours, as informed by the actor. He also told Philly Magazine that the first thing he had to wear was a mold for his head, on top of which the make-up department attached all the other prosthetic pieces.
#16. Ray Park As Toad
Although not really an actor but a martial arts expert, Ray Park had to change his appearance in order to play the role of Toad in the 2000 film X-Men. He had to dye his hair green and his face had a lime skin make-up.
However, this is not the first time that the actor and martial arts expert had to wear make-up to star in a film. He also played the role of Darth Maul in Star Wars: Episode I and Solo: A Star Wars Story. So far, Toad has been one of his least disguised characters!
#15. Jamie Foxx As Electro
In The Amazing Spider-Man 2, actor Jamie Foxx plays two roles. He first appears as Max Dillon, a bald, buck-toothed and spectacled electrical engineer. But after Max falls in a tank full of electric eels, he turns into the villain Electro.
To play Electro, he had to wear veiny prosthetics, blue make up that was later enhanced with digital effects and blue contact lenses. In a behind-the-scenes feature, he said that even his voice had to change to play the part, as the character had his vocal cords burnt.
#14. Ryan Reynolds As Juggernaut
If you look closely enough, you may see that in Deadpool 2, actor Ryan Reynolds plays two characters. First and foremost, he plays our favorite mercenary Deadpool, for which Reynolds he needed a complete make-up for his burnt face. Secondly, he plays the part of the mutant Juggernaut.
Although Juggernaut was rendered with Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI), Reynolds did use some “mocap gear” to act on some of Juggernaut’s facial expressions. So it wasn’t just his voice, but some of his facial features too!
#13. Karen Gillan As Nebula
Nebula, one of Thanos’ daughters in the MCU, is portrayed by actress Karen Gillan. In order to prepare for the role of the villain-now-hero, the actress had to undergo a make-up process that lasted nearly four hours and a half. That sounds tiring, right?
Gillan had to wear blue metallic makeup, shave her red hair, and blacken her already dark brown eyes. She also wore some android body parts to complete the look. She stated that the process was thorough but that, after seeing all the scenes, it was very worth it!
#12. Tom Vaughan-Lawlor As Ebony Maw
I’m pretty sure that most of us will not be able to discover which actor portrays Thanos’ lieutenant Ebony Maw, in the film Avengers: Infinity War. Actor Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, known for his roles in TV series like Peaky Blinders and Love/Hate, had to shoot all his scenes in a CGI suit so that the effects team could change all his facial features.
Tom revealed that his son “thinks it is funny because he looks so ugly“. Well, let’s be honest, Vaughan-Lawlor’s character does look quite horrendous, mainly due to his reptilian wrinkles and his lack of a nose. But in real-life, the handsome actor boasts brown hair, fair skin, and… well, of course, an actual nose.
#11. Jason Flemyng As Azazel
Another incredible transformation is the one British actor Jason Flemyng had to undergo. He had to get up at 2 in the morning so that the make-up team could prepare him for his role in X-Men: First Class. Talk about hard work!
Flemyng had to have his face painted red, his hair dyed black, and scars made all around his face. Even though at first he was angry that he was not requested for the second film of the franchise, he then was relieved that he wouldn’t have to get up after midnight any longer.
#10. Michael James Shaw As Corvus Glaive
Another one of Thanos’ lieutenants appearing in Avengers: Infinity War is portrayed by actor Michael James Shaw. In order to appear on the big screen, his face had to be coated in grey paint and digitally rendered with motion capture technology.
However, if you’ve seen Shaw in any of his other films or TV shows, such as Constantine, Limitless, or Roots, then you’re well aware that in real-life he has very attractive expressions that can make any fan melt.
#9. Elizabeth Debicki As Ayesha
To become Ayesha the Golden High Priestess of the Sovereign in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, actress Elizabeth Debicki had to submit to a very unusual makeup process.
“It was like a car wash. They built a sort of car was where I sat. There was a lot of paint and a lot of sitting around and drying,” she revealed.
Although new to the film industry, many fans had already seen her in the films The Great Gatsby, The Man from U.N.C.L.E and Cloverfield Paradox. In fact, her beauty and talent have captivated many fans during one of her first starring TV roles in The Night Manager.
#8. Alexis Denisof As The Other
It seems that to be part of Thanos’ army you have to be covered in makeup. Actor Alexis Denisof, who portrayed The Other in The Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy, was not the exception, as he had to wear several blue and purple layers of makeup, a wiry face mask, and a hooded cloak.
As you can tell from the picture, it was impossible to see or discern his real face! However, in real life, he boasts beautiful dirty-blonde hair and dashing blue eyes, so he’s definitely a heartthrob!
#7. Carrie Coon As Proxima Midnight
Before entering the service of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, Carrie Coon had been acting in the HBO series The Leftovers, and in the third season of Fargo. But can any of you recognize her in the role of Proxima Midnight?
Her role in the MCU film was shot using voice over and motion capture technology, so that the animators could add the character’s grey skin, navy eye effect, blue hair, and horns! As she joked in an interview: “To be fair, my face is in there somewhere“.
#6. Djimon Hounsou As Korath
Djimon Hounsou is best known for his roles in the films Amistad, Gladiator and Blood Diamond, and was even nominated for Best Supporting Actor. But have any of you recognized him in The Guardians of the Galaxy?
In this MCU film, Hounsou plays the role of Korath. he had to wear blue contact lenses, a prosthetic headpiece and an armor that made him less likable, creepier, and way less attractive. He’s also had to wear a reptilian exterior in his role in the DC film Aquaman.
#5. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje As Algrim & Kurse
Known for his role in Lost, Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje was unrecognizable under both costumes he had to in the MCU film Thor: The Dark World. His first costume – that of Algrim – involved a bleached wig, white eyebrows, and bright blue contact lenses. But his other role demanded completely different makeup.
When he transformed to the monster Kurse, he wore a spiky bodice and bony headpiece, which made it impossible to know who he was! However, he was also covered in makeup for his role as Killer Croc in the DC film Suicide Squad.
#4. Mads Mikkelsen As Kaecilius
Known for his role as Hannibal Lecter in the TV series of the same name, Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen had a great year in 2016. Mostly because he starred in two films of two very famous franchises: Star Wars: Rogue One and Doctor Strange.
In order to play his part in the MCU, he had to wear some serious makeup which was meant to create a purple and grey creepy effect around his eyes. He also wore a silver ponytail wig. Nothing compared to his good looks in the MARC O’POLO’s fashion campaigns!
#3. Lee Pace As Ronan The Accuser
If you think about the different films in which Lee Pace has starred in, you’ll see that he has an interesting history with makeup. As Ronan the Accuser, Thanos’ deputy in Guardians of the Galaxy, apart from several layers of makeup, he had to wear a cloaking headpiece and a bulky bodice. That is why nobody could have recognized him!
However, that was not the only time in which he was unrecognizable in one of his characters. In the 2003 war film Soldier’s Girl, he had to wear women’s clothes to play the role of a showgirl, and in The Hobbit trilogy, he had to wear a white-blonde wig and elf points.
#2. Cate Blanchett As Hela
As the Goddess of Death in Thor: Ragnarok, Cate Blanchett sported a traditionally black goth look as opposed to her real blonde self. There’s one thing that nobody can deny: she sure gave everyone the chills with that evil look!
When asked about the film, Blanchett commented on how she approaches beauty.
“I always find people attractive when they are comfortable with their own skin and not trying to be someone else, but their best selves”, she told The Cut.
#1. Josh Brolin As Thanos
In order to become Mad Titan for Avengers: Infinity War, Josh Brolin had to shoot all of his scenes with a motion capture suit, and most effects of his character were added in post-production. Did any of you realize it was him?
In real life, Brolin has handsome features and has even starred as the leading man in some romantic films as Labor Day together with Kate Winslet. Brolin also appeared as Cable in the film Deadpool 2. What a sharp contrast!