As humanity advances, so do their dreams of what the future may hold. Whether we’re talking about films that depict a distant future or ponder what life would be like if humanity had access to advanced technology, science fiction has proven to be a popular medium in the world of cinematic storytelling.
Here we will look at a list of actors that have experienced thesci-fi genreand left audiences wanting more. We’ll be referencing the roles they played in previous sci-fi films, discussing the character traits they have displayed, and any other reference that we find applicable to their science-fiction credentials.
10Steven Yeun
Steven Yeunmay have just settled aBeefwith Ali Wong, but the star has an excellent history in the science fiction genre. His most popular character would be that of Glenn Rhee inThe Walking Dead, a character he would play for roughly seven years. Working alongside his friends, Glenn survived the zombie apocalypse before having his head brutally bashed in by Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).
If zombies aren’t on the menu, Yeun also has experience working the trolls, aliens, and wizards when he played Steve Palchuck in theTales of Arcadiafranchise. He also joined one of the most legendary teams in sci-fi history when he played Keith inVoltron: Legendary Defender.
9Pedro Pascal
Aliens and zombies are a common theme between Steven Yuen and our next entry,Pedro Pascal. Whether he’s saving a young girl from brutal thugs or terrifying clickers, Pascal’s journey as Joel inThe Last of Ushas made audiences pay attention to every minute detail that Pascal’s performance provides.
And while he may have hidden his face for most of the series, Pascal’s time as Din Djarin inThe Mandalorianis unforgettable. Protecting Grogu, a creature that would grow to be a surrogate son to Din, Pascal proves that he can hold his own against some of the toughest fighters in the galaxy.Pascal’s grounded performanceshelp to provide gravitas to a genre that can easily verge into the fantastic.
8Timothée Chalamet
Getting his sci-fi roots from his role as a young Tom Cooper inInterstellar(2014),Timothée Chalamettook his time gaining experience in other fields before returning to the science-fiction genre. He would be met with applause as he helped lead a popular franchise adaptation inDune(2021).
While Chalamet is set to reprise his role as Paul Atreides, a young man who has experienced visions of a holy war to come and intends to do everything he can to unite the Arrakis, there are still many more projectsthat the young mancould take part in. And whileWonka(2023) may be more of a musical, there is still something uncanny about Willy Wonka and his oompa loompa’s shenanigans.
7Chris Evans
Chris Evanshas recently retired the shield, as he has finally stepped aside from playing Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With a bit more time on his hands, Evans could return to the science fiction genre that he had stepped into prior to working in the superhero genre.
An emotional part for Evans was Curtis Everett inSnowpiercer(2013). This post-apocalyptic film saw Everett lead a rebellion aboard the train known as Snowpiercer, attempting to make a stand for the proletariat members of the caboose and give himself a better life. Evans is no stranger to more comedic roles as well, having played the titular character inLightyear(2022).
Related:Chris Evans' Best Movies Before Captain America, Ranked
6Henry Cavill
After his abrupt ousting from the DC Universe franchise and his planned exit fromThe Witcher,Henry Cavillis looking to continue his trend towards adapting popular franchises to film. But while Cavill’s nextWarhammer 40k-inspired project is set for streaming, many are still waiting to see Cavill return to the big screen.
With his only film projects set to be released being spy films, there is concern that Cavill’s sci-fi career maystart and end with Superman. But a man of Cavill’s talent and unabashedly nerdy personality is bound to return for another science fiction epic.
5John Krasinski
John Krasinskiisn’t just an incredible acting talent when it comes to sci-fi, but he also has the mind for the genre as well. No work stands out more than his work onA Quiet Place(2018), a film in which Krasinski acted as Lee Abbott, a father working to protect his family from alien creatures that hunt based on sound.
This film would also serve as Krasinki’sdebut as a writer and director. With the project receiving high praise from audiences, Krasinski would return to the director’s chair for the sequel, though he wouldn’t step in front of the camera forA Quiet Place II(2020). After seeing his work in the franchise, many are clamoring to see the star return to the spotlight, whether it be fighting killer aliens or any other form of science fiction.
4Tenoch Huerta
A recent breakout star,Tenoch Huerta’s performance as Namor the Sub-Mariner inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever(2022), has led him to enter the radar of sci-fi fans everywhere. Leading his people in an epic war, looking to defend their home against the nefarious surface-dwellers, Huerta approached the role with a passionate fury that helped him stand out amongst the large ensemble.
With his experience depicting a foreign species, there are questions of how Huerta would handle a sci-fi film that was more rooted in the final frontier of space. Were Huerta to continue the trend of playing roles of angry alien creatures, he may be right at home, or perhaps he would take a different approach and play the human trying to broker peace between two disparate species.
3Adam Driver
Adam Driverhas been making a name for himself in the sci-fi genre, with his breakout role being as Kylo Ren/Ben Solo in the modern-day trilogy of the Star Wars franchise. While there was mixed feedback on the overall trilogy, Driver’s performance helped to keep audiences attracted to the uncertain nature of Ben’s journey.
Driver is getting his reps in the genre with his recent film65(2023), playing Mills, a man who is hurtled into the Cretaceous period of Earth and must survive while protecting a young girl from the prehistoric dangers that lie within. Driver is set to play Caesar inMegalopolis(2024), an upcoming sci-fi film.
Related:Fantastic Four: Rumors of Adam Driver’s Reed Richards Casting Are Heating Back Up
2Tom Hardy
Tom Hardyhas experienced some of his most tremendous success in the sci-fi genre. First, looking at one of his most prominent roles, he played Eddie Brockin theVenomfranchise, a man who has become the host to an alien symbiote. With the powers the symbiote has given him, Eddie would become Venom, a superpowered antihero who isn’t afraid to use lethal methods to defend himself and those he cares for.
Hardy also has experience working in a post-apocalyptic world. Leaving his mark on another franchise, Hardy would take the role of Max Rockatansky inMad Max: Fury Road(2015), a part that helped him step out as an actor in the action space and the sci-fi genre. Hardy has also had minor roles in other major franchises, appearing in a deleted scene inStar Wars: The Last Jedi(2017) and in the background ofThe Matrix Resurrections(2021).
1Oscar Isaac
One of the most underrated stars in the modern Star Wars trilogy,Oscar Isaac’s performance as Poe Dameron was exceptional, if undercut by how much had to be fit into the runtime of the films. Isaac has had previous treks through the genre, working as Dohmnall Gleeson inEx Machina(2014), where he would be confronted by the possibilities of artificial intelligence becoming sentient, conscious beings.
Isaac is set to return to the sci-fi genre with his work as Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099 inSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse(2023). After playing a supporting character in Dune, Issac appears to be the main antagonist for Miles Morales, as he looks to maintain authority and order over the multiverse.
