The MCU has introduced the world to a plethora of stars, some already A-Listers and others who were catapulted into the big leagues after their stint with the Marvel franchise. While CGI and other visual techniques have altered many actor’s physical appearances to suit their role like Josh Brolin as Thanos or Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk, the real heights of different actors may actually surprise viewers.
Among the various Marvel stars who have appeared in the different MCU films, there are a few who are known for their towering physicality and others who are vertically challenged.
These MCU Stars Commanded The Screen With Their Height
Chris Pratt
There’s a reason that Chris Pratt was cast in the marquee role of Peter Quill aka Star Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. Apart from nailing the character’s witty humor, Pratt also fits the bill based on his tall physique. At 6 feet 2 inches, the star lived up to his on-screen image as the self-confessed leader of the motley group of intergalactic superheroes who were also an integral part of the Avengers’ mission to destroy Thanos.
Samuel L. Jackson
Samuel L. Jackson has always stood tall among his competitors over the years. The seasoned actor has carved a niche for himself as one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars and is an integral part of the MCU in his role as Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. Jackson’s larger-than-life personality is also helped by his height. Like Chris Pratt, the actor who stands at 6 feet 2 inches, has used his height to great effect while portraying his character.
Chris Hemsworth
Beating his namesake Chris Pratt and Samuel L. Jackson at 6 feet 3 inches tall, Chris Hemsworth has taken advantage of his height to aptly portray the powerful God of Thunder Thor in the MCU. The actor’s rippling muscles were further accentuated by his towering presence on-screen, making him the tallest member of the Avengers lineup and a perfect casting choice for Thor.
Jeff Goldblum
Making his claim as one of the tallest stars to enter the MCU, veteran actor Jeff Goldblum stands at a commanding height of 6 feet 4 1/2 inches. The Jurassic Park actor played the role of the Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok making him the tallest actor in the film. His physical aura bolstered by his height which Goldblum has frequently used to great effect, made him one of the most striking characters in the Thor franchise.
Winston Duke
Taking top honors for the tallest MCU star is none other than Winston Duke who is famously known for his excellent portrayal of M’Baku, the leader of the Jabari tribe of Wakanda in the Black Panther films. His character is also referred to as the Great Gorilla. To portray a mountain of a character, the MCU had its work cut out to cast a towering mountain of a man and Winston Duke fit the role to a tee. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, Duke is the undisputed height champion of the MCU, reaching for the skies metaphorically and literally.
These MCU Actors Are Vertically Challenged
Among the group of tall personas that the MCU boasted of, there were other actors who made their presence felt through their acting and not with their towering screen presence. Here is a list of a few actors who were pocket-sized dynamites.
Tom Holland
MCU’s Spider-Man recruit Tom Holland is considered to be one of the most likable actors and a perfect choice to portray the role of Peter Parker aka Spider-Man. Holland though isn’t a physically intimidating actor with a modest height of only 5 feet 6 inches which is considerably shorter than his reel and real life love interest Zendaya who is 5 feet 10 inches tall. But the actor’s immense relatability soared over his diminutive frame, making him one of the most popular Avengers.
Lupita Nyong’o
They say good things come in small packages and Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o is a perfect example of the phrase. The talented star who stands at a modest 5 feet 5 inches tall, is known to command the screen with her powerful acting performances that have taken her to great heights. Her recent exploits in the Black Panther films are a case in point.
Jacob Batalon
Tom Holland’s Peter Parker aka Spider-Man is never complete without his trusted best friend Ned, played by Jacob Batalon. The talented young actor’s chemistry with Holland is one of the most endearing relationships in the MCU Spider-Man films. The two actors seem to complement each other physically as well with Batalon standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall, an inch shorter than his co-star. Like Holland, Batalon more than makes up for his small frame with his firecracker personality.
Peter Dinklage
Popular star Peter Dinklage belied his height of 4 feet 4 inches by playing a fifty-foot-tall alien in Threshold. Dinklage who is a little person, has never found any role to be a tall order for him. The actor has consistently impressed audiences with his unique take on characters and has proven that size does not matter. Dinklage joined the MCU in Avengers: Infinity War in a small but memorable role that set off a chain of events in the battle between Thanos and the Avengers.
Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson is synonymous with her swashbuckling character Black Widow who is a prominent member of the Avengers. Johansson has portrayed Natasha Romanoff with a physical intensity that belies her short physical stature. Fans will be surprised to know that the Match Point actor is only 5 feet 3 inches tall. Johansson though has used her small frame to great effect by appearing as a larger than life character in the MCU.
Tall or short, the MCU has been instrumental in roping in the top actors of Hollywood and many promising stars in their films that have propelled the franchise to great heights.
