Superhero Actors Who Look Nothing Like They Used To

For as long as Hollywood's been making movie magic, ambitious actors and actresses have
squeezed themselves into spandex hotpants, worn clunky prosthetics, and otherwise pushed
themselves to the physical limits* to portray some of our favorite superheroes.
But after shooting wrapped, not all of those stars stayed in peak crime-fighting condition.
Here are some silver-screen heroes you'd never recognize today.
Chris Evans
Don't worry, Chris Evans still looks every inch the Captain America you know and love
— but he also doesn't look anything like he did back in his first stint as a Marvel
superhero in 2005's Fantastic Four.
Most people have forgotten that Evans ever starred in that franchise, probably because
when he played the Human Torch, the actor looked less like himself and more like Chris
Evans' smaller, hairier little brother — with a regrettable haircut.
If Evans could go back in time, he'd only have one thing to say to his younger self:
"Son, just don't."
Tobey Maguire
Tobey Maguire still made a believable onscreen teenager back in 2002, when Sam Raimi finally
got his hands on the superhero franchise he'd always wanted and cast the 20-something actor
as Spider-Man.
Since then, however, the actor has experienced a lot of life changes: celebrating his 40th
birthday, becoming a father, and trading his youthful musculature for a physical condition
most famously known as "dadbod."
Liam Neeson
Before he launched the career renaissance that turned him into everyone's favorite Action
Dad, Liam Neeson starred in one of the weirdest superhero movies of the 20th century: the
1990 cult classic Darkman.
The film was the brainchild of Sam Raimi, who wanted to direct a superhero flick but
hadn't quite gotten the whole Army of Darkness aesthetic out of his system.
In Darkman, Neeson spent most of his screen time looking less like Bryan Mills and more
like a wayward extra from The Walking Dead.
Needless to say, he looks very different now: nearly 30 years older, and with, you know,
an actual face on his face.
Michael Keaton
Batman made a huge impact on moviegoers back in 1989* — with the now-65-year-old Michael
Keaton playing the man in the suit.
Because superhero standards were a bit different back then, Keaton might actually have more
muscle nowadays than he ever did as Batman, now that he's suiting up for another superhero
movie adventure.
Back then, he had to keep his weight in check in order to avoid outgrowing the unforgiving
rubber bat-suit.
"They don't make them like they used to!"
But he's definitely lost certain elements of his trademark superhero look… including
some hair.
Val Kilmer
Back in 1995, Val Kilmer followed in Keaton's footsteps to become the superhero star of
Batman Forever.
Notably, he also became the first Caped Crusader to wear the infamous nippled bat-suit...which,
let's be honest, is actually the most accurate bat-suit.
But in the 20 years since he bested the Riddler and saved Gotham City, Kilmer has definitely
not kept up with his superhero workouts… or even his hair, apparently.
Whatever Kilmer's been up to in the intervening years, it's safe to say he'll have his work
cut out for him if he wants to take his old costume out for a nostalgic spin.
Anna Paquin
Back in the beginning of Bryan Singer's X-Men franchise, Anna Paquin was a young brunette
who hadn't yet shed her teenage baby fat.
And now?
She's a grown-up blonde in her thirties with two actual babies of her own and a starring
role on HBO's True Blood.
Although she's stunning in both roles, the Anna of today is practically unrecognizable
as the girl with the deadly touch who attended Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters.
Dolph Lundgren
Lantern-jawed, dark-haired, and oozing intimidation, back in 1989 Dolph Lundgren became the first
feature-film incarnation of Frank Castle, better known as The Punisher.
However, Lundgren's brunette locks only lasted as long as the movie did — and nearly 30
years later, he doesn't look a thing like that vengeance-obsessed anti-hero.
The big Swede has long since gone back to his original blond, which is coming in platinum
at the roots as he approaches 60.
And while he's still in terrific shape, he's morphed from a baby-faced Punisher into a
craggy, cranky member of the Expendables.
He still loves those big scary guns, though.
Alec Baldwin
Lately, this Hollywood A-lister — and sometime-presidential impersonator — sports a luxurious head of
silver hair and an age-appropriate bit of paunch around his midsection.
But he cut a lean, tall-dark-and-handsome silhouette back in 1994, when he played the
hypnotically gifted pulp hero The Shadow.
Baldwin's brief foray into superhero films saw him wearing a greasy wig and some scary
prosthetic fingernails, along with a very respectable set of crime-fighter's pecs.
Billy Zane
In the vast pantheon of superhero flicks, Billy Zane's turn as the gun-slinging, horse-wrangling,
purple-spandex-wearing star of The Phantom often goes overlooked.
But it happened, and there's no taking that back.
That was in 1996, and Zane's appearance has dramatically changed in the intervening decades.
Back then, he was in peak crime-fighting condition with a shredded, screen-ready physique, not
to mention a full head of hair.
Now, he's bald and sporting a bit more padding around his midsection — although that might
be intentional, so he can better fill out his role as the latest celebrity KFC spokes-Colonel.
Whatever the reason, more power to him.
Because you know what they say...
"Listen to your friend Billy Zane.
He's a cool dude."
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Superhero Actors Who Look Nothing Like They Used To

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