Long before the superhero genre became home to Hollywood powerhouses, a little animated series known as Justice League (and its successor, Justice League Unlimited) had built a guest-star pantheon that could put Saturday Night Live to shame. Seizing every opportunity possible to feature actors you’d only dream of seeing on the big screens in these roles, Justice League’s cast has become somewhat of an unmatched precedent since. It also helps that Justice League Unlimited offered literally dozens of minor characters that were primed for guest voices.
While we wait for the day we get to see these characters in DC’s cinematic efforts, Justice League (and Justice League Unlimited) hold the trophy for the most inspired casting thus far... even if some of them may have been forgotten over time.
Bruce Timm As Solomon Grundy
In addition to lending their creative genius to shows, creators often leave more visible (or, in this case, audible) impressions on their works.
Not only is DCAU co-creator Bruce Timm synonymous with that run of DC animated shows, he also lent his voice to multiple characters over time. While his appearance in Justice League was confined to a nameless soldier, Justice League Unlimited saw him take on Solomon Grundy for two episodes! The undead behemoth was previously voiced by the legendary Mark Hamill, so it must have been quite an experience replacing him.
Melissa Joan Hart As Dee Dee (Delia & Deidre)
Harley Quinn’s popularity may have disproportionately grown over the last decade, but her true origins and climb to significance can be witnessed within the DC Animated Universe (DCAU). Having been created for Batman: The Animated Series in 1992, the character’s in-universe influence can even be witnessed in the era of Batman Beyond.
Dee Dee, the twin granddaughters of Harley Quinn (and possibly Dick Grayson), are both voiced by Melissa Joan Hart—herself a ‘90s icon thanks to Clarissa Explains It All and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. Having first taken the role for Batman Beyond, Hart returned in the season one finale of Justice League Unlimited, continuing the DCAU’s streak of dedication to continuity where possible.
Dakota Fanning As Young Wonder Woman
Dakota Fanning has been poised to be a star since the beginning of her career. Having racked up a list of roles playing younger versions of main characters, Fanning seems to have been destined for the role of a young Wonder Woman.
To battle her treacherous son Mordred’s enchantment, Morgaine Le Fay turns Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Green Lantern into 8-year olds to confront him. Fanning’s turn at the character in Justice League Unlimited not only maintained the original voice actress Susan Eisenberg’s decisive tone but also made room for her more obvious crush on Batman.
Michael Jai White As Doomsday
From Spawn in 1997 to Bronze Tiger in the current Arrowverse, Michael Jai White is no stranger to comics. But while he’s visited pockets of the various DC adaptations (even heading to Gotham from The Dark Knight in 2008), White’s appearance in the Justice League episode "A Better World (Part 1)" afforded him an opportunity to go up against the Man of Steel himself!
Known best for killing Superman following its 1992 debut, Doomsday’s legacy is one of utter destruction and terror—one that makes most heroes quake in their boots and look around for the mild-mannered reporter. While the character isn’t particularly known for speech or dialogue, Michael Jai White’s deep, commanding voice only adds to the character’s intimidating presence—one that is used to better effect with his return in Justice League Unlimited’s "The Doomsday Sanction".
Josh Hutcherson As Van-El/Young Bruce Wayne
Imagine not only voicing Superman’s son, and a young Bruce Wayne, but also doing so within one episode!! And if that wasn’t already epic enough, imagine being a part of an episode based on the iconic 1985 tale “For the Man Who Has Everything” by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons.
Well, Josh Hutcherson can lay claim to all of that. Set early in the days of Justice League Unlimited, “For the Man Who Has Everything” visits some of the deepest hopes and dreams of both Superman and Batman—one with a family on a Krypton that never exploded, and the other in a life where his parents were never murdered.
Oded Fehr As Dr Fate/Kent Nelson
The pinnacle of voice actor casting is when the actor can be considered perfect for the role in live-action, too. And while the DC Animated Universe has many actors who could reckon their roles in live-action, few come as close as Oded Fehr in the cape and helm of Dr Fate!
Known best for his portrayal of Medjai warrior Ardeth Bay in 1999’s The Mummy and its sequel, as well as the season seven villain Zankou in Charmed, Fehr is no newcomer to roles as an Egyptian or as a magical being—Dr. Fate being the culmination of the both. Fehr brings his calm and inspiring presence to the role in multiple episodes over the combined run of the series, setting a benchmark for the role.
J.K. Simmons As General Wade Eiling
Think “curt, bossy, and demanding” and chances are you’d think of Spider-Man’s J. Jonah Jameson. So it’s pretty fitting that the live action face of the character in not one but two franchises was tapped on to lend his voice to The General in Justice League Unlimited.
Appearing twice as General Wade Eiling, Simmons finally got his chance to Hulk (so to speak) as The General in his third appearance—a pretty iconic one which saw him face-off against the powerless members of the Justice League. And as is common with animations, Simmons also doubled as the New God Mantis in two other Justice League Unlimited episodes.
Jerry O’Connell As Captain Marvel
In an example of art imitating life, the casting of Jerry O’Connell as Captain Marvel is an interesting one. Having appeared only once in Justice League Unlimited as the Big Red Cheese, the episode saw him clash with his idol Superman over their differing views on Lex Luthor…all part of Luthor’s plan, of course.
Poised as Superman’s replacement in the episode, O’Connell would go on to literally replace Justice League’s Superman voice actor George Newbern in DC Universe Animated Original Movies’ Justice League: Throne of Atlantis.
James Remar As Hawkman And Shadow Thief
Before he was mentoring Black Lightning and family on The CW, James Remar was romancing (and antagonizing) Hawkgirl on Justice League Unlimited as Hawkman. Believing himself to be the reincarnation of Hawkgirl’s love of another lifetime, Carter Hall pursues the Leaguer in an attempt to convince her of their history. While not everything turns out the way he expects, Carter continues to be Hawkman.
Interestingly, Remar also voices Shadow Thief, the antagonist who battles both Hawkman and Hawkgirl in the episodes the duo work together. While both Hawkman and Shadow Thief were contained to Justice League Unlimited, Remar himself first appeared in Justice League's first season as a Manhunter.
The Whedon Alumni
Joss Whedon pretty much redefined television with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And while his follow-up shows, Angel and Firefly were not as commercially successful, their mark on the art form was nothing less than indelible. So it’s no surprise that the certainly geeky crew of Justice League and Justice League Unlimited found a way to sneak in actors from Whedon’s work into the cast.
And trust us when we say they’re littered across the entire run of the series! To just name a few: Alexis Denisof as Mirror Master; Nathan Fillion as Vigilante, Spy Smasher; Adam Baldwin as Hal Jordan, Jonah Hex, Rick Flag Jr.; Morena Baccarin as Black Canary; Amy Acker as The Huntress; Juliet Landau as Tala, Plastique, Zatanna; Gina Torres as Vixen; Armin Shimerman as Dr. Achilles Milo. And that’s without even taking into account some of the more minor roles or nameless cameos to whom they’ve lent their voices!