word of advice : The final ledger entry in this list contains pillager for 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverinemovie ( but it is clearly differentiate ) .

Summary

Some thespian become inexorably tie to a specific character that can define their entire career , so while some leave their most famous office behind , others will return to body forth them again without warning . Not every actor is fortunate enough to be recollect for spiel multiple characters , so some never shake the one role that made them . This can be a benediction , but some player can see it as a restraint , limiting the purpose they ’re offered after their germinal case has been seemingly retired . After a while , some adjudicate to turn back the clock and step into familiar shoes .

There are severalactors famous for just one iconic use , but that does n’t necessarily intend they ’re willing to come back and represent the character reference again once they ’ve stepped away from the movie or television show . Sometimes , an actor lacks either the willingness or the opportunity to returnto their most iconic fictional part . For others , there ’s an ongoing demand and the prospect to recapture their halo geezerhood . For the inauspicious few , some thespian recapitulate their roles in really eldritch places , but the favorable ones are render a better chopine for their comeback .

Many actors have had their careers defined by iconic function , and several , include Harrison Ford , have fall to those roles after years away .

Michael Keaton Batman and Indiana Jones

10Kate Mulgrew As Admiral Janeway In Star Trek: Prodigy

Your Rating

Your commentary has not been salvage

Cast

Star Trek : Prodigy is the first boob tube series in the Star Trek enfranchisement marketed toward children , and one of the few enliven series in the dealership . The story follow a group of young aliens who find a stolen Starfleet ship and use it to escape from the Tars Lamora prison house colony where they are all held captive . Working together with the assistance of a holographic Captain Kathryn Janeway ( Kate Mulgrew ) , the new bunch of the USS Protostar must incur their mode back to the Alpha Quadrant to warn the Federation of the virulent threat that is pursuing them .

Despite also starring as Galina " Red " Reznikov in all seven time of year ofOrange of the New Black , Kate Mulgrew never shook her ties toStar Trek : Voyager ’s Captain Kathryn Janeway . In an interesting latitude , Mulgrew played Janeway for as many season as she did Red . However , she was given the chance to return to theStar Trekfranchise and interpreter Janeway whenStar Trek : Prodigybegan in 2021 . The show is a rarefied , animated improver to the legendary sci - fi saga , stand for Mulgrew was able to peck up impersonate her dealership character just 5 in - universe years after theVoyagerfinale .

Kate Mulgrew also had a brief cameo as Admiral Janeway in 2002’sStar Trek : Nemesismovie , which provided a rare glimpse into her post - Voyagerlife . She also continue to voice both rendering ofProdigy ’s Janeway into time of year 2 of the animated spinoff .

Devil-Wears-Prada-Meryl-Streep-Barbie-Margot-Robbie

Star Trek : Voyagerended in 2001 , which means she take a 20 - year gaolbreak before pass to play Janeway - four clip long than the amount of time that had actually pass within the franchise ’s celebrated canon . ab initio , she only voice a holographic interpretation of Janeway , so the original type remained untouched . Eventually , Vice Admiral Janeway made an appearance inStar Trek : Prodigyseason 1 , episode 10 , " A Moral Star , Part 2 , " with the installment serving as a pivotal milepost in thetimeline of Mulgrew ’s originalStar Trekcharacter .

9Tobey Maguire As Spider-Man In No Way Home

Maguire was the first actor to play the character in a major live-action movie

For the first metre in the cinematic history of Spider - Man , our well-disposed locality hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the trials and trial of being a superhero . In Spider - Man : No Way rest home , Peter Parker ( Tom Holland ) ask for help from Doctor Strange ( Benedict Cumberbatch ) when his identity becomes a problem for the ones he loves . regrettably , when the spell goes incorrect , Spider - Man will now have to face up off with villains such as Doctor Octopus ( Alfred Molina ) and Electro ( Jamie Foxx ) as Peter finally comes to terms that he ca n’t run from being Spider - Man . Supported by his faithful friends and help from an unexpected piazza ( or multiverse ) , Spider - Man will go toe - to - toe with some of the most legendary opposition in his celebrated account .

2002’sSpider - Manwas the first far-famed live - activity movie centered around the iconic web - slinger . As a result , the actor playing the titulary character became synonymous with the character . He embody Peter Parker / Spider - Man throughout the reverence Sam Raimi trilogy , butTobey Maguire’sSpider - Man 4was canceled . Although the player ’s Spidey film series splutter to an goal , devotee of the lineament found it impossible to forget the man who breathe life into Spider - Man on the big screen . Eventually , Maguire was given the opportunity to repeat his vainglorious use a third time as part of theSpider - serviceman : No path Homecast .

Although Maguire ’s presence inNo Way Homewas denied - even by the actor himself - the moving-picture show ’s release revealed his return to the franchise and the good continuation of the story of his adaptation of the fictitious character .

A custom image of Supreme Leader Snoke and Michael Scott against a backdrop of various TV shows

Although Maguire ’s bearing inNo Way Homewas deny - even by the actor himself - the movie ’s sack revealed his payoff to the franchise and the continuance of the level of his reading of the theatrical role . There were 14 year betweenSpider - Man3andNo Way Home , during which point Maguire starred in many other projects . Thankfully , he savvy the hazard to render to the Marvel universe with both hand , and for the first fourth dimension since Disney ’s skill of Sony - the latter of which still owns theSpider - Manmovie rights .

Spider - Man : No Way Homealso featured the return of Andrew Garfield as his interlingual rendition of Spider - Man . Garfield was the second springy - military action Spider - Man histrion , had played the character twice beforeNo Way Home , but had n’t portrayed the character since 2014’sThe Amazing Spider - Man 2 .

8Will Ferrell As Ron Burgundy In Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues

Ferrell was one of many Anchorman actors who returned for the sequel

Anchorman 2 : The Legend Continues is the continuation to Adam McKay ’s Anchorman : The Legend of Ron Burgundy . In the continuation , Ron , again played by Will Ferrell , joins New York ’s 24 - hour news channel . Steve Carell , David Koechner , and Paul Rudd also return as Ron ’s team , along with Christina Applegate as his wife .

2004’sAnchorman : The Legend of Ron Burgundyis still one of thebest fad classic movies of all time , with the yield ’s improvisational approach path responsible for some of themost quotable motion picture moment ever . Although it featured an ensemble shape , Will Ferrell ’s Ron Burgundy was undoubtedly the star . The movie ’s titulary news reader stood out among Ferrell ’s other character for being more defined than his previous effort , as the actor often plays edition on the same root word . Ferrell ’s brilliant operation as Ron feel very much like a lightning - in - a - bottle scenariothat could n’t be copy - which at long last was n’t true .

anchor 2 : The Legend Continuesbeing annunciate surprised and transport the original movie ’s devoted fan base , as it seemed very unlikely that there would ever be another installment to feature the irreverent main theatrical role . When the subsequence was released in 2013,Ferrell ill-treat well back into the role of his most beloved characterand was able-bodied to retake the conjuring trick that had felt so thrown together the first time around . He was responsible for and contributed to many of thefunniest moments in bothAnchormanmovies .

Custom image of Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan in Dexter: New Blood and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in Deadpool & Wolverine

Custom Image by Debanjana Chowdhury

Will Ferrell on a regular basis reprises the role of Ron Burgundy outside theAnchormanmovies . He has been on talk shows likeJimmy Kimmel Live!in case as Ron as recently as 2019 . He also hostsThe Ron Burgundy Podcastas his mustachioed alter ego .

7Michael C. Hall As Dexter Morgan In Dexter: New Blood

New Blood gave Hall’s character a much better ending

localise a decade after his disappearance , Dexter : New descent observe Dexter Morgan living under a new identity in Iron Lake , New York . Despite his seek to embrace a peaceful aliveness , unforeseen events in the tight - pucker community of interests reignite his Dark Passenger , challenging his movement to impart his past behind .

The originalDextershow ran for 8 season , and although theDexterseason 8 finalewas divisive , it still apparently drew a line under the story of Michael C Hall ’s serial killer whale character when it broadcast in 2013.Hall ’s blow return as the ill-famed antihero come up in the form of a sequel show in 2021 , withDexter : New Bloodcontinuing the saga 8 years after the original running game had concluded . The follow - up allowed Dexter Morgan ’s story to gain a much more meet stop pointedness .

Hall ’s quality died at the terminal of the 10 - episode New descent miniseries , which made his return in the future less probable , but out of the question .

Star Trek Prodigy TV series poster

Star Trek: Prodigy is the first TV series in the Star Trek franchise marketed toward children, and one of the few animated series in the franchise. The story follows a group of young aliens who find a stolen Starfleet ship and use it to escape from the Tars Lamora prison colony where they are all held captive. Working together with the help of a holographic Captain Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew), the new crew of the USS Protostar must find their way back to the Alpha Quadrant to warn the Federation of the deadly threat that is pursuing them.

Hall ’s fictional character died at theend of the 10 - episodeNew Bloodminiseries , which made his return in the future less likely , but impossible . Jennifer Carpenter was able to return as Debra Morgan inNew Blood , despite being shoot down off in the original show . However , it was n’t a traditional graphic symbol retort , as she was seen only by Dexter and act as his phantasmagoric moral sense .

It was announced at San Diego Comic - Con 2024 that Hall would be returning as Dexter Morgan inDexter : Resurrection , as well as rent on narrative duties for theDexter : Original Sinprequel show .

6John Simm As The Master In Doctor Who

Simm’s Master came face-to-face with another iteration of the character

The latest medico Who series enter the Fifteenth Doctor , joined by new companion Ruby Sunday .

Ofall the role player to act the Master , John Simm was the first to do so in the franchise ’s modern era . Despite pass onscreen inDoctor Who ’s time of year 3 finale , he returned again during David Tennant ’s terminal electric arc as the 10th doc . Interestingly , it was Simm ’s second retort as the Master that inculcate the most surprisal . During the final moment ofDoctor Whoseason 10 , episode 11 , " World Enough and Time , " John Simm ’s Master is revealed to have been present all along , hard mask as a new character .

Actors such as Meryl Streep , Tom Hanks , and Jodie Foster ’s most iconic persona are those that they only play in one movie , rather than a series .

Cast Placeholder Image

Whilethe news of Simm ’s return as the Master was n’t especially well - protected , the nature of the reveal was so bright executed that his version of the maniacal Time Lord seemed to come along out of nowhere . The moment was especially surprising given that Michelle Gomez ’s Missy - a subsequent , female regeneration of the Master - was also present in the story at the clock time .

5Mark Hamill As Luke Skywalker In The Mandalorian

Hamill’s age prevented him from a conventional portrayal of his Star Wars character

release on November 12 , 2019 The Mandalorian follows a lonely gunfighter navigating the galaxy ’s outer reaches after the Galactic Empire ’s fall . As a skilled bountifulness hunter , he operates in a lawless population , undertake various missions on the fringes of the New Republic ’s territories .

Hamill act Luke Skywalker throughoutStar Wars ' original trilogy , which ended in 1983.Fans were force to support a long wait before Hamill ’s eventual returnas the iconic Jedi Master near the end of 2015’sStar Wars : Episode VII - The Force Awakens . unluckily , the way his quality was indite in the final two installments of Disney ’s subsequence trilogy was widely criticized . After it reason in 2019 , it seemed as though Hamill ’s legacy as Luke had been irreparably tarnished . Thankfully , he was capable to play the role again in 2020’sTheMandalorianseason 2 conclusion .

Hamill ’s 2015 comeback was expected by every inch of theStar Warsfan base , as it was announced elbow room in betterment of it really being show onscreen .

Headshot Of Brett Gray

Hamill ’s 2015 comeback was expected by every inch of theStar Warsfan base , as it was announced direction in advance of it in reality being shown onscreen . reciprocally , his cameo inThe Mandalorianseason 2 , sequence 8 , " Chapter 16 : The Rescue " come completely out of the blue . However , given the show ’s billet in theStar Warstimeline , Hamill was too old to take on the era ’s Luke in the traditional fashion . While he was on sic and in costume , his contribution to the performance consist of acting out the view and teach a body twofold about how the role would behave .

A younger version of Hamill ’s case was superimposed onto the eubstance doubly in " The Rescue . " This technique was repeated inBoba Fettseason 1 , sequence 6 , " Chapter 6 : From the Desert come a Stranger , " for another Luke Skywalker appearance .

4Judi Dench As M In Casino Royale

Dench survived the James Bond reboot

Casino Royale innovate Daniel Craig as James Bond in his first mission as a 00 Agent . Tasked with preventing the terrorist financier Le Chiffre from winning a high - stake stove poker game in Montenegro , adhesiveness teams up with Vesper Lynd and Felix Leiter , kick off a polar chapter in the espionage saga .

James Bond ’s confusing canonhas long been a issue of argument among fans . Despite the frequent recasting of the lead type before the Daniel Craig era , there ’s never been any official confirmation of whetherall the 007 actorswere wreak the same man , or whether the franchise was being bring up each prison term . Whilethe moving-picture show series undergo a much harder reboot than common for 2006’sCasino Royale , the plot inspissate when Dame Judi Dench was roll once more as M , despite also playing the role opposite Pierce Brosnan ’s iteration of the illustrious spy .

With just a four - year crack between movies , the actress was something of a bridgework between the two period inBondhistory .

Spider-Man No Way Home Poster

For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the trials and tribulations of being a superhero. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) when his identity becomes a problem for the ones he loves. Unfortunately, when the spell goes wrong, Spider-Man will now have to face off with villains such as Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Electro (Jamie Foxx) as Peter finally comes to terms that he can’t run from being Spider-Man. Supported by his close friends and help from an unexpected place (or multiverse), Spider-Man will go toe-to-toe with some of the most legendary foes in his storied history.

2002’sDie Another Diewas Dench ’s terminal clock time playing M in the Brosnan epoch , as Craig was brought in as the fresh leading piece forCasino Royale . With just a four - year gap between movies , the actress was something of a bridge between the two periods inBondhistory . While she was double-dyed for the role , which is probably why the producers stay fresh her on , her continued mien was very unexpected given the redevelopment experience by the sleep of the franchise at the clock time .

3Yuji Okumoto As Chozen Toguchi In Cobra Kai

Chozen’s return was a rare surprise among the Karate Kid comebacks

Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga , rig 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament . It focus on Johnny Lawrence essay redemption by reopen the Cobra Kai dojo , reignite his competition with Daniel LaRusso , who strives to maintain balance in his life .

As a legacy sequel show to theKarate Kidmovies , Cobra Kaihas brought back almost every main character from the original film series . Many of them have been anticipated comeback that are necessary for the idea to function properly , but the Netflix show has n’t shied away from bringing back some of the lesser - get it on characters too . Debuting as Chozen in 1986’sThe Karate KidPart II , Yuji Okumoto surprised everyone by returning to play the character againinCobra Kaiseason 3 , episode 4 , " The Right Path . "

Okumoto ’s 2021 counter to the enfranchisement intend it had been 35 years since he ’d last bring Chozen .

Headshot Of Tom Holland In The 29th Annual Critics Choice Awards

Okumoto ’s 2021 return to the franchise signify it had been 35 years since he ’d last played Chozen . While he was initially used slenderly , the character run on to become an increasingly great part of the show . He was capable to give Chozen greater profoundness and redeem him from the underwhelming 1986 sequel . He had worked steadily as an actor sinceThe Karate Kid Part II , but hisCobra Kaicasting was still a huge career hallmark .

2Billy Dee Williams As Lando Calrissian In Star Wars: Rebels

Williams played a younger version of Lando than ever before

mark between Episodes III and IV of the Star Wars film franchise , Star Wars Rebels is a canyon animated serial publication that follows a group of ragtag hoagy who band together to face the Empire . In an age where the Galactic Empire is hunt down the last of the Jedi , a teenage outcast make Ezra Bridger is discovered to be military group sensitive by a surviving Jedi bang as Kanan Jarrus . fit to join them and take Jedi education , Ezra becomes a part of a small but growing crew of rebels determine to destroy the conglomerate covertly .

Williams ' iconic functioning as Lando in the last two flick in the original trilogy made the thespian a part of theStar Warselite . Initially wrapping up his character ’s story in 1986’sStar war : Episode VI - Return of the Jedi , it would be excusable to assume that any future return to the role would also be in a hot - action property . astonishingly , this was n’t the casing , andthe next time Billy Dee Williams portray Lando Calrissian was in recreate form .

InStar war : Rebelsseason 1 , episode 10 , " Idiot ’s Array , " Williams voiced his eccentric once more .

Headshot Of Zendaya In The Los Angeles Premiere Of Amazon MGM Studios' ‘Challengers’

InStar Wars : Rebelsseason 1 , episode 10 , " Idiot ’s Array , " Williams voiced his character once more . Despite being much older than he was during the original trilogy,2015’sRebelsepisode meant the actor was voicing a younger version of Landothan had appear in the movies to that full point . He returned for the first two instalment ofRebelsseason 2 , and also finally bring another springy - natural process appearing as Lando in 2019’sStar warfare : Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker .

Warning : Here come the Deadpool & Wolverine spoilers !

1Hugh Jackman As Wolverine In Deadpool & Wolverine

Jackman was pulled out of Wolverine retirement for another outing as his legendary version of the character

A follow - up to the extremely successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 film star Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth . The third film will be the first in the dealership to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner travel along Disney ’s skill of 20th Century Fox .

After 17 year of play Wolverine , the emotionalending of 2017’sLoganmeant Hugh Jackman could turn on off into the sunset as the best and only actor to body forth the character in a springy - activity setting . The perfection with which the conclusion was executed made a Jackman return as the superhero seem very improbable . Luckily , Ryan Reynolds ' incessant nagging finally convinced the Australian actor to come backfor another round , and team up withDeadpoolin 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverine . There was , of course , the roadblock of Logan ’s demise to overcome , which is attain within the motion picture ’s opening minutes .

cast choices are important when it comes to TV shows , but some meta decisions can contribute more to a reference than just the worker ’s abilities .

Anchorman 2 Movie Poster

Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues is the sequel to Adam McKay’s Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. In the sequel, Ron, again played by Will Ferrell, joins New York’s 24-hour news channel. Steve Carell, David Koechner, and Paul Rudd also return as Ron’s team, along with Christina Applegate as his wife.

After a chaotic and musically - charged desecration of Logan ’s grave , Deadpool & Wolverinequickly cashes in on the MCU ’s multiverse discharge , using the image to allow Jackman to play a Wolverine random variable rather than his most celebrated version of the character . It ’s a originative way to reinstall the histrion as the clawed X - Man , and the only way it could realistically be achieved without undoing the beauty and brilliance ofLogan ’s conclusion .

Every telly Show & Movie mention In This Article That feature An Actor ’s issue

championship

Headshot Of Will Ferrell In The premiere of Illumination’s ‘Despicable Me 4’

Movie / TV Show

Character

histrion

Headshot Of David Koechner

thespian ’s " Last " Character Appearance

Actor ’s Return

Star Trek : Prodigy

Dexter New Blood poster

Set a decade after his disappearance, Dexter: New Blood follows Dexter Morgan living under a new identity in Iron Lake, New York. Despite his attempts to embrace a peaceful life, unforeseen events in the tight-knit community reignite his Dark Passenger, challenging his efforts to leave his past behind.

TV Show

Captain / Vice - Admiral Kathryn Janeway

Kate Mulgrew

Headshot Of Michael C. Hall

2000/2002 *

2021

Spider - Man : No Way Home

Doctor Who Season 14 Poster

The latest Doctor Who series introduces the Fifteenth Doctor, joined by new companion Ruby Sunday.

pic

Peter Parker / Spider - Man

Tobey Maguire

Headshot Of Ncuti Gatwa In The US premiere of the new season of the Disney+ series Doctor Who

2007

Anchorman 2 : The Legend Continues

Ron Burgundy

Headshot Of Millie Gibson In The US Premiere Of The New Season Of The Disney+ Series Doctor Who

Will Ferrell

2004

2013

03153801_poster_w780.jpg

Released on November 12, 2019 The Mandalorian follows a lone gunfighter navigating the galaxy’s outer reaches after the Galactic Empire’s fall. As a skilled bounty hunter, he operates in a lawless universe, undertaking various missions on the fringes of the New Republic’s territories.

Dexter : New Blood

Dexter Morgan

Michael C. Hall

Headshot Of Pedro Pascal In The 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

Doctor Who

The Master

John Simm

Headshot Of Katee Sackhoff In The Los Angeles Premiere Of Lionsgate’s ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’

2007/2009 *

2017

The Mandalorian

0168482_poster_w780.jpg

Casino Royale introduces Daniel Craig as James Bond in his first mission as a 00 Agent. Tasked with preventing the terrorist financier Le Chiffre from winning a high-stakes poker game in Montenegro, Bond teams up with Vesper Lynd and Felix Leiter, kicking off a pivotal chapter in the espionage saga.

Luke Skywalker

Mark Hamill

1983/2019 *

Headshot Of Daniel Craig

2020

Casino Royale

mebibyte

Headshot Of Eva Green

Judi Dench

2002

2006

0323535_poster_w780.jpg

Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.

Cobra Kai

Chozen Toguchi

Yuji Okumoto

Headshot Of Ralph Macchio

1986

Star Wars : Rebels

Lando Calrissian

Headshot Of William Zabka

Billy Dee Williams

1983

2015

Star Wars Rebels Poster

Set between Episodes III and IV of the Star Wars film franchise, Star Wars Rebels is a canon animated series that follows a group of ragtag heroes who band together to face the Empire. In an age where the Galactic Empire is hunting down the last of the Jedi, a teenage outcast named Ezra Bridger is discovered to be force sensitive by a surviving Jedi known as Kanan Jarrus. Agreeing to join them and accept Jedi training, Ezra becomes a part of a small but growing crew of rebels determined to destroy the empire covertly.

Deadpool & Wolverine

Logan / Wolverine

Hugh Jackman

Headshot Of David Oyelowo

2024

  • The type had two riposte , but only the 2d was either notable or unexpected .

Headshot Of Steve Blum In The Los Angeles Premiere of The Boxtrolls

Headshot Of Tiya Sircar

Deadpool and Wolverine Poster Showing Wade Wilson’s Swords Showing Hugh Jackman’s Reflection

A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox.