Best Cameos in DC Movies

Highlights

Cameos in DC movies ranged from forgettable to iconic, with surprising appearances from well-known actors and even Stan Lee.
Julie Andrews lent her voice to the Karathen in Aquaman, while Lynda Carter made a memorable return as Wonder Woman in WW84.
Henry Cavill’s return as Superman in Black Adam ignited hope for the DCEU, but was short-lived due to a subsequent reboot announcement.

I simply can’t help but marvel at this grand tapestry of heroes and villains that unfolded across the DC Multiverse in the year 2023! As a lifelong comic book enthusiast, these stories have been my solace and joy since I was a lad, poring over the pages of my very own Batman ’66 comics.

Although DC had only briefly touched upon Multiverse ideas before embarking on a fresh start with James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DCU, some unexpected characters made appearances in different films. Most of the DC Cameos were rather unimpressive, featuring characters that were too obscure or were included as mere Easter eggs instead of offering something for die-hard comic fans to appreciate.

Although there were some notable cameos in DC films that are still fresh in our minds, and a few unexpected ones left fans scratching their heads, wondering if they had actually occurred. Reflecting on various cameos scattered throughout DC and DCEU movies, devoted franchise enthusiasts might recall the peculiarity of these universes prior to the theater release of the Superman reboot on July 11, 2025.

8 Julie Andrews

The Karathen Protects King Atlan’s Body Without Mary Poppins’ Glee

Featured in: Aquaman (2018)

Although viewers watching the Karathen in the 2018 film Aquaman might not immediately associate it with Julie Andrews, there are subtle echoes of her voice in its performance. This fearsome creature fights alongside Aquaman as it protects King Atlan’s body and trident, biding its time until an Atlantean arises who is worthy to wear his armor and weapon and become the ruler of the seven seas. Unbeknownst to Arthur Curry and the audience, this champion of justice is none other than Mary Poppins.

As a devoted fan, it’s quite surprising to ponder over Julie Andrews accepting the role of Karathen in Aquaman, given her illustrious career synonymous with Mary Poppins on the silver screen. Her charming voice cameo might have slipped past many fans when they first watched Aquaman, or even up until now.

7 Lynda Carter

The OG Wonder Woman Returns

Featured in: Wonder Woman 1984 (2020)

Although some DC Universe fans may have skipped watching “Wonder Woman 1984” because of declining enthusiasm for the DCEU, the movie’s end credits scene showcased a version of Wonder Woman that resembled the character from the 1970s TV series. In this scene, none other than Lynda Carter is seen saving a baby, which was a brave tribute to the first and original live-action Wonder Woman.

Instead of portraying Diana Prince, Lynda Carter depicts an Amazon warrior who chose to reside among humans after leaving Themyscira. Known as Asteria, it’s a pity that Lynda Carter and Gal Gadot didn’t get a chance for a joint Wonder Woman appearance in the DC Universe, which could have resulted in some truly remarkable scenes.

6 Jeffrey Dean Morgan

The Father Of Bruce Wayne Is Played By Negan

Featured in: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

It’s tough to be cooler than Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and he’s no rookie when it comes to comic book adaptations. Known for his roles as Negan in “The Walking Dead,” Joe Kessler in “The Boys,” and the Comedian in “Watchmen” (2009), Jeffrey Dean Morgan re-entered the DC universe, although briefly, working alongside Zack Snyder. In recent projects, Jeffrey Dean Morgan portrays Thomas Wayne, depicting the heartrending and traumatic events of Bruce’s parents’ deaths in Crime Alley.

Although Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s screen time is limited, his presence is striking and leaves one wondering if he accepted such a minor role in anticipation of reprising his character for a possible Flashpoint film, where he could put on the cowl as Thomas Wayne’s Batman. Or perhaps it was simply for enjoyment?

5 Stan Lee

The King Of Cameos Appears In The Rival Franchise

Featured in: Teen Titans Go! To The Movies (2018)

In an unexpected turn, Stan Lee, known as the icon in Marvel Comics, made a cameo in a DC film. While he had a notable appearance in almost every Marvel movie up until his passing in 2018 (the same year he appeared in “Teen Titans Go! To The Movies”), it’s interesting to note that Stan Lee wasn’t unfamiliar with DC. In fact, he contributed to the “Just Imagine” series, where he offered his unique reinterpretations of DC legends such as Batman and Superman.

The cameo itself has an animated Stan Lee in the Warner Bros. backlot, breaking the fourth wall as he grabs the camera and pulls off some iconic Marvel hero poses in one of his “subtle cameos”. It’s a cute and comedic moment that pays homage to someone responsible for many of the greatest comic heroes known today.

4 George Clooney

Batman Returns, But It’s Not The One Fans Expected

Featured in: The Flash (2023)

The journey of DCEU bids adieu with “The Flash” (2023), and in its place, the DC Multiverse unfolds, revealing heroes from times long past. However, one character might take fans by surprise, a Batman who some believed was long gone following the controversial response to “Batman & Robin” in 1997.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share the amusing twist in the DCEU’s final chapter: instead of Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, or Christian Bale, it’s George Clooney who steps into the cape and cowl one last time. His brief appearance at the end serves as a delightful nod to his past role as Batman, showcasing that George is a great sport about his brief tenure as the Dark Knight.

3 Nicolas Cage

The Iconic Nicolas Cage Finally Dons The Superman Costume

Featured in: The Flash (2023)

As a lifelong movie enthusiast and someone who has followed Nicolas Cage’s career since his early days, I can confidently say that he is truly a unique and captivating talent. Over the years, I’ve watched him pour every ounce of energy and charisma into each role he’s taken on, from recent films like “Longlegs” (2024) to classics such as “Face/Off” (1997). He has a knack for making each film he stars in feel special, and there truly is a Nic Cage movie for every kind of moviegoer.

In an exciting turn of events, Nicolas Cage made a brief appearance in a scene that pays homage to the eccentric and imaginative aspects of the DC Multiverse. This cameo offers fans a sneak peek into the world of Nicolas Cage as he engages in a battle against a colossal spider. Remarkably, despite being digitally created, it’s clearly Nic Cage in the role.

2 Jared Leto

Joker And Batman Finally Come Face-To-Face At The End Of The World

Featured in: Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

In the initial DC cinematic universe, it seemed lacking as Batman and The Joker never shared a scene together. However, when Zack Snyder was permitted to present his vision of the Justice League in 2021, he took the opportunity to include a brief additional scene featuring Batman and The Joker. This interaction finally showcased the potential dynamic between Jared Leto and Ben Affleck that could have been further explored in future films.

Jared Leto’s brief reappearance as the Joker in a later project offers some form of character amends compared to his portrayal in Suicide Squad (2016). This cameo, though brief, leaves an impact and demonstrates the untapped potential that Leto might have shown had the DC universe continued.

1 Henry Cavill

The Hierarchy Of Power In The DCEU Returns

Featured in: Black Adam (2022)

The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) began with the release of “Man of Steel” in 2013, and Henry Cavill stepped into the role of Superman, wearing the red cape and Kryptonian crest. Regrettably, Cavill’s tenure as Superman was relatively brief, lasting only four appearances across the DCEU’s decade-long run. Compared to other DC characters, he had less screen time, and unfortunately, he didn’t receive a standalone sequel for his own movie.

The post-credit sequence in the movie Black Adam (2022) reignited optimism, as Henry Cavill made an appearance as Superman to confront Black Adam, hinting at a legendary showdown. It was a thrilling cameo that sparked hope for the future of the DCEU, but this anticipation was brief, as Henry Cavill announced shortly after that DC was planning a reboot.

2024-08-06 09:34