They aren't the most popular. They aren't the most powerful. They aren't even in any particular order! They ARE the most spot-on examples of casting and acting Marvel has cranked out to date!
1. J. Jonah Jameson - J.K. Simmons BECAME the publisher of the Daily Bugle! My biggest mourning is he won't be in the reboot!
2. Tony Stark/Iron Man - Robert Downy Jr. hit Stark's arrogance and hedonism out of the park. Add that to his search for redemption after his capture and you have a formula for success. Even his "bucket list" behavior when he thought himself dying was laser accurate.
3. Nick Fury - When Samuel L. Jackson stepped into the light with the eyepatch, I was sold. The look and the "no-prisoners" aura brought the Ultimate's leader to life.
4. Wolverine - Before you riot, think back to the fight scenes in X2. Hugh Jackman conveyed the attitude and compassion of Logan. Forget the lackluster plot of the Wolverine movie and focus on the fury.
5. Johnny Storm/Human Torch - Cocky, impulsive, and volatile: Chris Evans nailed the torch. His performance is the same for both movies and they were enhanced because of it.
6. Ben Grimm/Thing - Even before the cosmic rays turned him orange, Michael Chiklis had all the ill-tempered mannerisms as well as the loyal nature of the Thing.
7. Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow - Scarlett Johansson was the best surprise Iron Man 2 had to offer. Not only was she sleek and mysterious, but she opened a serious can of Kickbutt when she wanted to. The scene with her taking out the guards at Hammer Industries was her showcase!
8. Thor - The Son of Odin was a difficult role, but Chris Hemsworth took it and ran with it. The fight scenes displayed Thor's fury AND his joy of combat. Once he learned humility, Thor managed to exude nobility too.
9. Aunt May - Peter Parker's aunt has been window dressing for decades. Rosemary Harris depicted a different May Parker. Hers was the one pioneered by J. Michael Straczynski who made Aunt May into a strong, caring, support system for Peter.
10. Kitty Pryde - Although X-Men United might not have been the shining star of the X-movies, Ellen Page's Shadowcat stood apart. Smart, resourceful, and funny, her fight scenes were some of the best of that film.
There's the top ten to date! We hope Captain America and the Avengers will be on this list some day, but only time will tell.
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