Several familiar faces make appearances throughout the Thor trilogy in the MCU, including Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth, of course. However, outside of the MCU, these cast members have made appearances in other film franchises, like Lethal Weapon and The Fast and the Furious, as well as TV shows.
These actors have a diverse background, and a wide variety of appearances in film and television both before and after their appearances in the MCU. It's pretty cool to see familiar characters like Loki, Hulk, and Thor in completely different roles, so these other movies and TV shows may be worth checking out.
Mark Ruffalo - 13 Going On 30
Before audiences knew Mark Ruffalo for playing Bruce Banner/The Hulk in the MCU, including Thor: Ragnarok, Ruffalo played Matt "Matty" Flamhaff, the childhood friend of Jennifer Garner's character, Jenna Rink in the romantic comedy 13 Going on 30. When Jenna suddenly becomes 30 overnight, she finds that her life has changed drastically and that it no longer includes Matty.
She and Matt, now a photographer, begin to reconnect, especially after she hires him to help with her magazine's photoshoot. Jenna finds out that the things she thought were important are anything but, and, when she returns to her old self, she lives her life in a happier way.
Rene Russo - Lethal Weapon 3 & 4
Apart from playing Thor's mother Frigga in the MCU, Rene Russo also played Lorna Cole in the third and fourth installments of the Lethal Weapon franchise.
She was a Sergeant in Internal Affairs and she and Riggs were romantically interested in one another in the third film. In the fourth film, she and Riggs marry and welcome a son. Lorna was initially annoyed by Riggs, but soon changed her perspective as they fell for one another.
Jeff Goldblum - Friends
Jeff Goldblum has certainly made a splash in the cinematic world not just in the Jurassic Park and Independence Day franchises, but he also made an appearance as the Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok. However, back in the day, Goldblum made a guest appearance on '90s sitcom Friends as director Leonard Hayes. He's directing a play that Joey auditions for in "The One With The Mugging," and he doesn't initially like Joey at first.
However, when Joey auditions with far more urgency as he has to desperately use the restroom, Leonard changes his opinion of Joey and approves of him.
Kat Dennings - 2 Broke Girls
Kat Dennings played Darcy Lewis, Jane Foster's intern, in the MCU, and most recently her character appeared in WandaVision. However, Dennings also starred as Max Black in 2 Broke Girls, alongside Beth Behrs, who portrayed Caroline Channing.
They played waitresses in New York City hoping to one day open a cupcake shop of their very own, and the series followed their lives. Though complete opposites, Max and Caroline were best friends and were there for each other.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje - Suicide Squad
Adewale portrayed Algrim/Kurse in Thor: Dark World. However, Adewale managed to land a part in the DCEU as well, given he played Waylon Jones/Killer Croc in Suicide Squad.
Alongside his fellow teammates, Killer Croc was forced into a team made up of criminals, including Harley Quinn and Deadshot, in order to stop the Enchantress from destroying humanity.
Idris Elba - Hobbs & Shaw
Idris Elba played Heimdall, the guard of the Bifröst Bridge, and a friend of Thor's, in several MCU films. However, Elba extended his acting chops into Hobbs & Shaw by playing Brixton Lore, who is cyber-genetically enhanced, and employed by Eteon, a terrorist organization.
Brixton was seriously dangerous and awesome, and he relentlessly pursued Hobbs, Shaw, and Shaw's sister, Hattie, as he was after the supervirus "Snowflake" that Hattie had injected into herself.
Tessa Thompson - Creed
Tessa Thompson plays Valkyrie, making her first appearance in Thor: Ragnarok. Thompson also played the love interest, Bianca, to Michael B. Jordan's Donnie Creed in Creed, as well as its sequel.
Bianca is coming into her own as a singer and songwriter, much like Donnie is working his way toward becoming a fighter and carrying on his father's legacy. They later become engaged and have a daughter together.
Natalie Portman - Star Wars
Before she was astrophysicist Jane Foster in the MCU, Natalie Portman played Padmé Amidala in the prequel Star Wars trilogy. She was a brave and courageous leader, and she would eventually marry Anakin Skywalker.
She died not long after giving birth to Luke and Leia due to having a broken heart, but even in the end, she still believed there was some good left in her husband.
Tom Hiddleston - Midnight In Paris
When he's not playing the mischievous and traitorous Loki in the MCU, Tom Hiddleston can be found in other roles like the one above, in which he plays F. Scott Fitzgerald in Midnight in Paris.
Hiddleston's portrayal of the famous writer was nothing short of dashing and charming, and he certainly wowed Owen Wilson's character, who was more than a little shocked and excited over meeting such a legend in person.
Chris Hemsworth - Ghostbusters
Chris Hemsworth plays Thor in the MCU, the mighty Prince of Asgard that totes Mjolnir. Thor is a fighter, overprotective of his golden locks, and has some things to learn when audiences first meet him in Thor. Hemsworth also appears in 2016's reboot of Ghostbusters, as the receptionist for the team, Kevin.
Poor Kevin later becomes possessed and opens the portal, which releases far too many ghosts.