20 Actors Who Grew Up Watching the Franchise They Later Starred In

For many actors, appearing in a big-budget movie is a huge goal, but it’s especially exciting when they get to join a franchise they’ve loved since they were young. These performers went from being fans watching the stories unfold to becoming key characters in them. Their existing knowledge and passion for the source material often brought something special to their roles. This list highlights twenty actors who made that incredible leap from fandom to fame.

David Tennant

David Tennant knew from a very young age – just three years old – that he wanted to be an actor, with the specific goal of playing the Doctor. As a child, he was a huge fan of the original ‘Doctor Who’ series and even had a scarf modeled after the Fourth Doctor’s. His dream came true when he became the Tenth Doctor, bringing a noticeable and beloved energy to the iconic role.

Peter Capaldi

Peter Capaldi was a huge fan of the original ‘Doctor Who’ series growing up. As a teenager, he wrote fan letters, created artwork that appeared in fan magazines, and even ran the official fan club. Years later, he became the Twelfth Doctor, earning praise for his performance. His lifelong knowledge of the show helped him create a darker, more thoughtful version of the character.

Iman Vellani

Iman Vellani was a huge Marvel fan even before she became part of the MCU. She loved the universe so much she’d dress up as Ms. Marvel for Halloween and spend time sharing theories with other fans online. It was fitting that she was cast as Kamala Khan in ‘Ms. Marvel,’ since the character is also a big Avengers fan. The producers found her when she casually applied for the role through an open casting call.

Evanna Lynch

Evanna Lynch was a huge fan of the ‘Harry Potter’ books and even wrote to J.K. Rowling before becoming an actress. She landed the role of Luna Lovegood after impressing casting directors at an open audition, competing against many other hopefuls. Her deep familiarity with the books allowed her to perfectly portray Luna’s unique and peaceful personality. Even now, years after the films finished, she continues to be a strong supporter of the ‘Harry Potter’ series.

Henry Cavill

Even before ‘The Witcher’ series was planned, Henry Cavill was a huge fan of the books and games. He really wanted the part of Geralt of Rivia and had his representatives constantly reach out to the show’s creator. Because he knew the story so well, he was able to perform the stunts and lines convincingly, and he often referenced details from the books to help make sure the show stayed true to the original material.

Tom Holland

Even before becoming Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Tom Holland was a huge fan – he collected Spider-Man pyjamas and action figures as a kid! He often mentioned Spider-Man as his favorite superhero in interviews and home videos from his childhood. His skills as a gymnast, combined with his passion for the comics, ultimately helped him win the role, which he first played in ‘Captain America: Civil War’. He then went on to star in three Spider-Man movies, beginning with ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’.

Andrew Garfield

I was so moved to learn that Spider-Man meant so much to Andrew Garfield growing up! Apparently, a sweet photo of him as a little kid in a Spider-Man costume circulated when he got the part, and it really highlighted how deeply he connected with the character. He’s said himself that playing Spider-Man in ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’ was a way for him to embrace and honor that inner child who looked up to the hero. It just made his performance even more special, knowing how personal it was for him.

Ryan Reynolds

For over ten years, Ryan Reynolds passionately pursued making a ‘Deadpool’ movie, fueled by his love of the comics. He connected with the character’s unique, often sarcastic, humor and its surprisingly sad history. Finally, after test footage was leaked and fans overwhelmingly showed their support, the movie was approved. Reynolds continues to play a key role in shaping the ‘Deadpool’ films, making sure they stay true to the original comics.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg always loved the original ‘Star Trek’ and contacted the producers hoping to be part of a new series. As a child, she was deeply inspired by Nichelle Nichols’ portrayal of a strong Black woman in charge on the show. When Gene Roddenberry learned about Whoopi’s lifelong passion, he created the character of Guinan in ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ just for her, fulfilling a dream she had since childhood.

Simon Pegg

Simon Pegg first became known for his comedic work, which often included references to his love of science fiction and geek culture. He regularly talked about ‘Star Trek’ in his TV show ‘Spaced,’ and was a big fan of the character Scotty. This eventually led to him being cast as Montgomery Scott in the 2009 ‘Star Trek’ movie. Later, Pegg helped write the script for ‘Star Trek Beyond,’ bringing his deep knowledge of the ‘Star Trek’ universe to the film.

Rosario Dawson

Rosario Dawson actively pursued the role after fans online said she’d be a great fit, as she was already a fan of the original animated series. Her passion for the character led to her being cast as Ahsoka Tano in ‘The Mandalorian’ and eventually starring in her own series. To make the live-action portrayal believable, Dawson carefully studied how the character moved in the animated version.

Ming-Na Wen

Ming-Na Wen always dreamed of being part of the space adventure series she adored growing up. As a huge fan of the original movies, she especially looked up to characters like Luke Skywalker and Han Solo. That dream became reality when she was cast as the skilled assassin Fennec Shand in ‘The Mandalorian’. She’s continued to bring the character to life through voice work in animated shows and by returning to the role in ‘The Book of Boba Fett’.

Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage chose his stage name as a tribute to comic books, a hobby he’s been passionate about for years. He particularly loved the character of the Ghost Rider, even getting a tattoo of the flaming skull antihero. In fact, he enjoyed playing Johnny Blaze in the ‘Ghost Rider’ movie so much that he had to cover up his tattoo with makeup for filming, and his dedication to the role stemmed from his real enthusiasm for the supernatural themes in the comics.

Karl Urban

Karl Urban grew up watching the original ‘Star Trek’ series with his father, and those times were special to him. He loved the show so much he knew entire episodes and the unique personality of the ship’s doctor – even before he became an actor himself. That early connection helped him perfectly portray Dr. Leonard McCoy in the new series, capturing the original character’s spirit while also making the role his own. Reviewers loved his performance, praising how well he balanced honoring the original with his own creative touch.

Simu Liu

Years before ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ was even being made, Simu Liu playfully tweeted at the studio, hoping to be cast in the role. As a longtime fan of the comics, he was passionate about seeing an Asian superhero in a major film. His wish came true when he landed the lead role, and he continues to express his enthusiasm about being part of the Marvel universe online.

John Boyega

Before becoming a star in ‘Star Wars’, John Boyega was a huge fan of the franchise, both playing the video games and watching the movies. He even owned a lightsaber replica and shared photos of himself with it online before he was well-known. This deep understanding of the ‘Star Wars’ universe proved helpful during the extensive press events for ‘The Force Awakens’. Boyega approached the role of Finn with a fan’s enthusiasm and passionately supported the character’s development throughout the three films.

Finn Wolfhard

Finn Wolfhard was already well-known for his fondness for 1980s pop culture, but he especially loved the ‘Ghostbusters’ movies. He fondly remembered watching the originals with his father and was incredibly excited to work with the actual props used in the films. In ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife,’ he played the grandson of Egon Spengler and even got to wear the famous flight suit. Wolfhard said holding the proton pack felt like a dream come true, bringing him right back to his childhood.

Paul Rudd

Paul Rudd was a big fan of the original ‘Ghostbusters’ movies, considering them some of the best comedies ever made. He was thrilled to be part of ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ playing Mr. Grooberson, a summer school teacher. His character is meant to mirror the audience’s excitement, enthusiastically reacting to the classic ghostbusting gadgets and technology. Rudd’s performance was informed by his real love for the original films.

Eddie Redmayne

Eddie Redmayne first tried out for a part in the early Harry Potter films while still in school, but didn’t get the role. He continued to enjoy the books and movies as they came out. Years later, he became part of the wizarding world by playing Newt Scamander in the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ series. To make his character, a magical creature expert, believable, Redmayne carefully studied how animals behave.

Matthew Lewis

Matthew Lewis loved the ‘Harry Potter’ books and even dressed as a wizard for fun before trying out for the movies. He landed the role of Neville Longbottom and essentially grew up on the set over ten years. Because he was so familiar with the books, he wore padding and fake teeth to accurately portray the character as described. Many fans consider Neville’s journey from a timid boy to a brave hero to be one of the most compelling character developments in the entire series.

Please share which of these actor-fan stories surprised you the most in the comments.

2025-12-06 04:48