Band Of Brothers Had More Marvel Stars Than You Might Think

HBO's 2001 war drama mini-series "Band Of Brothers" was a collaboration between Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks to bring Stephen E. Ambrose's 1992 nonfiction book of the same name to life (via NPR). It's interesting that Spielberg and Hank helmed this project together, as it's fairly similar to their joint production "Saving Private Ryan," which only hit theatres three years prior. The HBO mini-series follows (a highly dramatized version of) a company of soldiers, and covers their training and subsequent time in battle during World War II.

The project, which won seven Emmys and a Golden Globe, featured a massive Marvel pre-union. That's right, a surprising number of the "Easy" Company, 2nd Battalion, went on to become superheroes, or at the very least superhero-adjacent. Whether it was for Sony or for Disney, here are the "Band Of Brothers" actors that appear in Marvel movies.

There are five actors in the "Band Of Brothers" cast that are also in Marvel properties (via IMDB). First, there's Dominic Cooper, who portrays Allington for one episode of the mini-series. He appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Howard Stark, the brilliant –- if not flighty –- scientist whose son went on to become Iron Man. Cooper's entrance into the MCU can be enjoyed in "Captain America: The First Avenger." Next, there's James McAvoy, who portrays James W. Miller for one episode of the mini-series. He appears in Sony's "X-Men" franchise as a young Charles Xavier/Professor X, the idealistic intellectual who fights for the rights of all mutants. McAvoy makes his marvelous debut in "X-Men: First Class."

Then there's Tom Hardy, who portrays John A. Janovec for two episodes of the mini-series. He continues to star in Sony's "Venom" as Eddie Brock and Venom, an exhausted, exasperated reporter, and carnivorous alien sludge monster, respectively. With a significant jump in screen time, there's also Michael Fassbender, who portrays Burton P. Christenson for seven episodes of the mini-series. He appears in Sony's "X-Men" franchise as a young Erik Lensherr/Magneto, a political firebrand for mutant rights with a penchant for aggressive tactics. Fassbender's first foray into super-villainy can also be seen in "X-Men: First Class."

And, lastly, there's Neal McDonough, with the largest credit of the bunch, who portrays Lynn D. "Buck" Compton for eight episodes of the mini-series. He appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Timothy "Dum Dum" Dugan, a smarmy soldier with a bizarre fondness for bowler hats. McDonough's primary credit in the MCU is "Captain America: The First Avenger," although he briefly appears in spin-off projects as well.