On occasion, I will think of an actor who nailed their role as a superhero or villain but just didn't have the best material to work with. They're great, but everything else around them is just not at the same level. From past to more recent...
Michael Clarke Duncan as the Kingpin in, "Daredevil."
"Daredevil," is a mediocre movie. You are forgiven for forgetting it came out back in 2003. Even the R-rated Director's Cut edition is merely an improvement upon an already, "Meh," foundation. That said, Duncan was always an incredible actor whether being comedic, serious, or coming across as one of the most imposing and intimidating Marvel villains around. A number of amazing actors have shown their skill with the Kingpin, and I'd argue Vincent D'Onofrio deserves his accolades for what he did with great material and Duncan should be applauded for all he did with so little to work with. If we'd gotten a sequel and Duncan were still with us perhaps they could've built on how great he was and had less of Ben Affleck's so-so Mattt Murdock. More on Affleck in a minute, however.
This one isn't exactly Marvel's fault so much as it is our own human mortality. William Hurt was fantastic as Thunderbolt Ross in one of the decent-but-weaker early Marvel films, "The Incredible Hulk," in 2008. When Edward Norton's Bruce Banner was recast with Mark Ruffalo, a lot of that movie seemed to be disregarded for years. However, eventually Hurt did reappear as Ross in a new role working with the UN during Marvel's, "Captain America: Civil War," and had a small presence in, "Infnity War," "Endgame," and all the way up to the 2021 prequel, "Black Widow." Clearly, Marvel had further plans for Ross, but in 2022, William Hurt passed due to complications from cancer. Hence, when Ross popped back up again with a major role (President of the United States) in, "Captain America: Brave New World," he was now portrayed by Harrison Ford. Ford is an amazing actor, but I wish the slow-burn that had been Hurt as Ross could have truly paid off with him still as Ross all those years later.
I did not hate Zack Snyder's take on the DC Universe; I enjoyed it to a solid degree. I also see it had immense flaws, and I look at the so-called Snyderbros who hate anything done with the DC Universe since Snyder left (or was fired, depending on whom you ask) and wonder what they see in these flicks to consider them masterpieces. That said, Ben Affleck did a remarkably solid job with a shaky interpretation of Bruce Wayne AKA Batman. He had a good mix of pathos, snark, and calculated rage. He just lacked much to do with it.
Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel in Various Marvel Productions
Marvel and the general fandom really did Brie Larson dirty. This woman had won an Academy Award for the superb (but terribly depressing) movie, "Room," and was scooped up by Marvel to star in the first female-starring solo production in the franchise. The movie was fine. Then, besides having a remarkably small role in, "Infinity War," and, "Endgame," plus being relegated to serving as part of a trio with the first MCU box-office bomb, "The Marvels," she hasn't been given much to do. She tried, ya'll. I think between not being given that great of material and the astounding amount of hate and harassment she received from, "Fans," that Larson could very well be ready to wash her hands of any Marvel movie business. I wouldn't be surprised if she requested to be quickly killed off in, "Avengers: Doomsday," so she can go perform where her talents are appreciated.
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