In the world of comics, a few superstar creators have made names for themselves on both Marvel and DC Comics titles. Artist Jim Lee launched "X-Men" and went on to do a classic run on "Batman." John Byrne defined "Fantastic Four" for years before redefining "Superman" in the 1980s.
Now, some of the biggest names in film are getting the chance to do the same with Marvel and DC's biggest characters, and big-name actors like Ryan Reynolds and Natalie Portman are getting the chance to define both publishers' characters for filmgoers.
Here are five actors who have been cast in live-action roles for characters originating in both the Marvel and DC Comics worlds.
HALLE BERRY
Marvel Role: Storm in "X-Men"/"X2"/"X-Men: The Last Stand"
DC Role: Catwoman in "Catwoman"
Halle Berry's hair went white when she appeared as Ororo Munroe in 2000's "X-Men." She reached for the black leather (and a Razzie Award-winning part) in 2004, however, when she revamped the feline female previously played by Michelle Pfeiffer in "Batman Returns." Comics fans across the board were grateful that she chose to appear in two more X-Men films instead of returning as Patience Phillips.
NATALIE PORTMAN
Marvel Role: Jane Foster in "Thor"
DC Role: Evey in "V for Vendetta"
Natalie Portman will be the first actor to be featured in both a role out of DC's Vertigo imprint as well as a Marvel role when she appears in Kenneth Branagh's "Thor" in 2011. She also has the unique honor of having a geek-friendly Marvel/DC/Star Wars triple crown on her résumé thanks to her part as Padmé in Episodes I, II, and III.
JAMES MARSDEN
Marvel Role: Cyclops in "X-Men"/"X2"/"X-Men: The Last Stand"
DC Role: Richard Wright in "Superman Returns"
Marsden earned his DC pin from his performance as Daily Planet Editor-in-Chief Perry White's nephew Richard in "Superman Returns." As Clark Kent's surprise competitor for Lois Lane's love, he might have not been the most impressive corner of a love triangle to appear in Superman's life (that honor goes to Lana Lang) and his character might not have originated in comics, but he did grab a large enough role in the Singer-verse rendition of Superman's world to sneak onto the list.
RYAN REYNOLDS
Marvel Roles: Deadpool in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" and Hannibal King in "Blade Trinity"
DC Role: Green Lantern in "The Green Lantern"
Now among those most likely to be cast in any given comic book-based movie, Ryan Reynolds holds a comic book movie hat trick as of his casting in "The Green Lantern." His previous roles and his smart-mouthed style have always been far more Guy Gardner than Hal Jordan, so it will be interesting to see which way the movie swings, but right now he leads the pack in parts.
JAY UNDERWOOD
Marvel Role: Human Torch in "The Fantastic Four"
DC Role: Kryptonite Kid in "Superboy"
The small-screen exception on the list was too unique to pass up. Underwood not only played the vintage "Superboy" comics role of the Kryptonite Kid in the 1988 "Superboy" TV series. He also holds the distinction of starring in the 1994 Roger Corman-produced "Fantastic Four" movie -- which is a truly horrendous classic of cosmically campy proportions for anyone who hasn't seen it.
Anyone we left out? Share your own additions to the list in the comment section!