Marvel has produced an overwhelming number of successful box office hits since it formed its own studio. Despite the opinions in 2023 that the MCU might be “in shambles,” the studio delivered a number of successful projects in the theaters and on Disney+. BetweenLokiexpanding on the multiverse andAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumaniagiving fans Kang the Conqueror in the flesh, there’s no need for the MCU to slow down.
However, it’s not so much the stories thatmake the MCU successful; it’s the actors and their portrayal of their characters. Robert Downey Jr. made Tony Stark as popular as he is. In fact, he’s responsible for how the character is portrayed in the comics now. While stories give the actors to have something to do, it’s up to them how they deliver their lines. These are the best performances from Marvel projects in 2023.
Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania(2023)
Loki(2021-2023)
No other project in the MCU enriched the multiverse quite likeLoki. However, that’s not what stands out from this series, especially in 2023. Tom Hiddleston put on the performance of a lifetime inseason two ofLoki,getting fans to fall in love with him all over again after his character died inAvengers: Infinity War. Hiddleston gave fans everything they wanted from the character: he was funny, empathetic, frantic, and a little conniving, giving off a hint of classic Loki.
This was a 14-year journey for the actor, and he put his best foot forward. The visceral emotions that Hiddleston made the audience feel with his every word and action can’t go unstated. It was a masterclass in acting that proved how deeply he cared about the role. He won the hearts of fans everywhere with a performance that will be the topic of discussion for decades.
Guardians of the Galaxy(2014)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2(2017)
Thor: Love and Thunder(2022)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3(2023)
I Am Groot(2022-2023)
Bradley Cooper’s face might not physically be in the MCU, but audiences can feel his soul there. Voice work is an entirely different monster when it comes to acting, especially when the actor isn’t on set with his scene partners.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3was a heartfelt story that put Rocket front and center, giving Cooper a real chance to stretch his proverbial wings. And he delivered.
Rocket had emotional scenes in previous installments of James Gunn’s opus, such as when Groot sacrificed himself to save the team. However, none were as moving as the scenes whereRocket loses his friendsor when he briefly reunites with Lila. Gunn finally stopped using Rocket for laughs and gave him some forward momentum, allowing Cooper to give a remarkable vocal performance.
Spider-Man: Far From Home(2019)
Secret Invasion(2023)
The lacklusterminiseriesSecret Invasiongets a lot of hate from the fans. Whether it was because the pacing was off, it killed off an important character in its first episode, the story wasn’t executed well, or it didn’t live up to its comic book counterpart, there was a lot not to like about it. However, Ben Mendelsohn wasn’t one of them.
Some might have enjoyed the Nick Fury-centric plot, but Mendelsohn added a level of command to every scene he was in. His ability to reach every and any emotion across the spectrum is astounding, and he shows his range throughoutSecret Invasion. He plays the empathetic leader and then switches gears to anger and frustration on a dime, especially with his early interactions opposite Samuel L. Jackson’s Fury. It’s a wonderful performance that deserves praise.
Tom Hiddleston wasn’t the only actor to hit it out of the park inLoki’ssecond season. While the entire cast performed phenomenally,Owen Wilson rose above his castmates. He maintained that snarky humor he’s known for, while delivering some heartfelt moments that allowed the audience to connect with Mobius. His laissez-faire attitude toward his life before the TVA was a believable portrayal of how many self-conscious people react to bombshell news. His final scene in the TVA, where he gives a file to B-15 and says his goodbyes, is a moving moment that carries weight.
If Hiddleston was the heart of the series, Wilson was its soul. There was never a dull moment when Mobius was on screen, thanks to Owen Wilson. He deserves a larger part in the MCU, and if rumors are accurate, fans will see him again in 2024.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse(2018)
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse(2023)
Last but not least, there’s Shameik Moore as Miles Morales inSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. With such a large cast and so many different Spider-people, it’s difficult to stand out, but Moore succeeds. It can’t be easy for a 28-year-old to portray a teenager who’s tired of everyone telling him what he can and can’t do, especially from a sound booth separated from his castmates. Yet, Shameik pulls it off time and time again.
Viewers can hear the frustration in his voice when Miguel talks down to him, the nervousness when he’s around Gwen, and that sense of jealousy when Hobie talks to Gwen. Moore nails that exact sensation that everyone has lived through as a teenager. He makes it seem easy, while it’s anything but. Fans will get a chance to see him continue hisbrilliant portrayal of Miles Moraleswith the third and final installment in the Spider-Verse trilogy:Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
