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Summary
Many of Hollywood ’s most famous actors are celebrated for one iconic role that solidified them as movie legend , and in some display case , they reprised that role after eld away from it . Many beloved actors , be it Robert Downey Jr. or Emma Watson , can be commonly tied to one major film part who , alone , lift them to an influential degree of stardom . However , being tie to one part can often run to type - casting or difficulty for actors in see new roles , as they can be too nearly consort with their iconic figure .
While the degree of winner for these doer vary from case to case , many have hark back to their iconic characters for another run . For example , Hugh Jackman repose down the claw for a last Wolverine incline in 2017’sLogan , but he ’s now appearing in one of themost - look to movies of 2024to reprise the theatrical role . Ultimately , it speaks to the enduring success of these stars , to where their paying back to a character after so long can still be exciting and offer nostalgia , even if varying career fate guide to the return .
10Michael Keaton
Returned as Batman in 2023’s The Flash
Cast
AfterMichael Keaton ’s controversial Batman castingfor the 1989 Tim Burton film was announced , rough 50,000 fan letters were sent to Warner Bros. to dispute the decision . Keaton , known for comedic roles throughout the decade , did n’t seem like a great fit for the incubation superhero . Decades subsequently , his payoff to playing the crest crusader inThe Flashwas one of the most hopeful aspect of the film , and reckon him suit up as Batman was an absolute treat for nostalgic DC devotee .
The Batman franchise has rise time and time again that it ’s often the less likely suspects that can give the most memorable performances .
After movies likeNight ShiftandMr . Mom , conceive of Keaton as Bruce Wayne or Batman was a stretch , though the Batman franchise has proven meter and time again that it ’s often the less likely suspects that can give the most memorable performances . Keaton ’s post - Batman calling has had its ups and downs , with the meta role inBirdmanfinally granting him due respect for his spectacular talents . conduct up toThe Flash , he ’s had a mix of commercial hits likeSpider - Man : Homecomingand award - caliber dramas likeSpotlightandThe Trial of the Chicago 7 .
9Toby Maguire
Returned as Spider-Man in 2022’s Spider-Man: No Way Home
Like Keaton ’s Batman , Tobey Maguire is synonymous with the Spider - Man part for intact generations of audiences . He was the first live - legal action Peter Parker , and that alone solidify him as an icon , making it absolutely thrilling when he returned to reprise the role inSpider - adult male : No Way Homealongside Tom Holland and Andrew Garfield ’s rendition . Maguire has n’t acted much since concluding his run in Sam Raimi’sSpider - Manfilms , often taking multi - year falling out between roles , though he ’s had exciting performances in pic likeBabylonandThe Great Gatsby .
8Jamie Lee Curtis
Returned as Laurie in 2018’s Halloween
In 2024 , Jamie Lee Curtis is widely recognize as the Academy Award - acquire supporting champion inEverything Everywhere All at Onceand as Donna Berzatto inThe Bear , two of her most desired performances . Yet , she ’s been known for ten for toy Laurie inHalloween , one of thebest repulsion motion picture of all clip . She ’s reprised the role several times , though she took a 16 - class break from the role before returning for 2018’sHalloweenreboot trilogy . At 65,Jamie Lee Curtis is having one of the most impressive stretches in her career .
Jamie Lee Curtis Halloween moving-picture show
Rotten Tomatoes Score
Halloween ( 1978 )
96 %
Halloween II ( 1981 )
33 %
Halloween H20 : 20 Years Later ( 1998 )
55 %
Custom image by Yailin Chacon
Halloween : Resurrection
10 %
Halloween ( 2018 )
79 %
Halloween Kills ( 2021 )
39 %
Halloween Ends ( 2022 )
40 %
7Harrison Ford
Returned as Han Solo and Indiana Jones
Harrison Ford is among the most iconic moving picture stars ever , have it off for several iconic performances . However , his two most well - known character are Han Solo and Indiana Jones , both of whom he recapitulate decade later . The originalStar WarsandIndiana Jonessagas made for some of the ' 80 expectant box office striking , and Ford spent much of the ' ninety reaping the benefits , get to individual hits likeAir Force OneandWitness .
He first returned to Indiana Jones in 2008’sKingdom of the Crystal Skulland then again in 2023’sThe Dial of Destiny . Neither was celebrated like the original , but it was delightfully nostalgic to see Ford returning to the character . He famously returned as Han Solo in 2015’sThe Force Awakens , contribute to the character finally being vote out off . Also , in a long - awaited subsequence to one of thebest sci - fi moving-picture show of all prison term , Ford returned as Rick Deckard inBlade Runner 2049 .
6Bill Murray
Returned as Peter Venkman in Ghostbusters: Afterlife
There ’s been no shortfall of Bill Murray over the years , as he ’s systematically appear in neat celluloid from Sofia Coppola , Wes Anderson , and Jim Jarmusch . Still , he ’s most widely realise for his comedic roles , including Dr. Peter Venkman fromGhostbusters . Decades after 1989’sGhostbusters II , Murray reprised his role for the New continuation series , set forth withGhostbusters : Afterlife . Excitedly , he ’ll be back for more inGhostbusters : Frozen Empire .
5Linda Hamilton
Returned as Sarah Connor in Terminator: Dark Fate
Linda Hamilton is look at a movie ikon for playing Sarah Connor inThe Terminatorand , more significantly , Terminator 2 : Judgement Day . Connor is one of cinema ’s most prolific heroine , with influence cast all over modern action movies . Hamilton has n’t had many outstanding roles outside her iconic character , pee-pee her retort forTerminator : Dark Fateall the more exciting . It was n’t a commercial or critical hit , but it ’s laborious to go wrong with Sarah Connor .
4Sylvester Stallone
Returned as Rocky Balboa in Creed
The return key earned Stallone his first Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and an Oscar nominating speech for the reminiscent , worked up performance .
Like Harrison Ford and Indiana Jones , Sylvester Stallone returned to the iconic Rocky character twice . In 2006 , he repay forRocky Balboa , a film concentrate around the character ’s human relationship with his son , Rocky Jr. The more successful return was for 2015’sCreed , wherehe asterisk to pass the mantle to Michael B. Jordan ’s Adonis Creed . The yield earned Stallone his first Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and an Oscar nominating speech for the reminiscent , worked up execution . Stallone is almost equally far-famed for Rambo , but Rocky Balboa will always be his crowning creative accomplishment .
3Keanu Reeves
Returned as Neo in The Matrix Resurrections
By 2024 , Keanu Reeves is perhaps equally acknowledge for the nominal part in theJohn Wickfranchise as he is for playing Neo inThe Matrix . But before he played the grizzled assassin , he was the fighter of the Wachowski siblings ' 1999 masterpiece . Although the long - expect fourth film was more dissentious , seeing Reeves suit up as a long - hairy , bearded Neo was worth the wait . Not only isThe Matrixone of the best sci - fi movies ever , but it ’s also one of thebest action movies of all prison term .
2Al Pacino
Returned as Michael Corleone in The Godfather Part III
Al Pacino is one of the most accomplished actors ever , and while he ’s best get it on for playing Michael Corleone inThe Godfathertrilogy , it ’s far from his only noted role . He ’s look in so many hold up hits likeScarfaceandHeat , but that did n’t stop him from returning to his iconic purpose in the 1990 sequel . Sixteen years after the second installment , Pacino reprised Michael Corleone . The film was n’t as well received as the master , butPacino is still phenomenal , sneaking in fantastic quotes like"Just when I thought I was out , they perpetrate me back in ! "
1Ralph Macchio
Returned as Daniel LaRusso in Cobra Kai
Ralph Macchio ’s way back to his iconic fictitious character is one of the most unique , as he returned to the purpose on television after failedKarate Kidsequels . Macchio had a few successful films early in his vocation , includingThe OutsidersandMy Cousin Vinny , but nothing amounted to the notoriety he received as Daniel LaRusso in the originalKarate nestling . Cobra Kaiis a fantastic TV sequel to the originals , and the show ’s success over five seasons has result in a make new2024Karate Kidmovie .
