For those still not convinced that superhero movies are the current coin of the realm for serious actors in Hollywood, consider this: Last year's "The Dark Knight Rises," produced by DC Entertainment, featured four Oscar winners in its cast (Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Marion Cotillard) and Anne Hathaway, who would go on to win her very own trophy at this year's Academy Awards ceremony. This is to say nothing of the rest of the cast, which included past Oscar nominees like Gary Oldman, Liam Neeson and Tom Conti; most movies that fall under the nomenclature of "Oscar bait" would be happy to have half as many nominees to trumpet.
Over at Marvel Studios, this trend continues to thrive. "Iron Man 3" stars four-time nominee and past Oscar winner Sir Ben Kingsley in a key role, and the upcoming "Captain America" sequel co-stars Robert Redford. (Like Kingsley, Redford has earned four nominations and one win, though his victory was for directing "Ordinary People"; Redford also owns an honorary Oscar.)
"No, I don't feel that [we can get anyone]," Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige told HuffPost Entertainment when asked about his track record of casting such prestigious actors. "But I feel very, very lucky that we've developed a reputation as a safe haven for people who want to play."
Despite that reputation, however, some Marvel Studios productions are apparently more of a safe haven for regarded thespians than others. Ahead, a breakdown of the most Oscar-friendly Marvel movies based on casting. (Warning: Some "Iron Man 3" spoilers ahead.)
"Captain America: The First Avenger"Nominations at time of release: 5 (Tommy Lee Jones, 3; Samuel L. Jackson, 1; Stanley Tucci, 1)Oscar wins: 1 (Jones)
"Iron Man 2" Nominations at time of release: 6(Robert Downey, Jr., 2; Gwyneth Paltrow, 1; Don Cheadle, 1; Mickey Rourke, 1; Samuel L. Jackson, 1)Oscar wins: 1 (Paltrow)
"Marvel's The Avengers" Nominations at time of release: 7(Robert Downey, Jr., 2; Mark Ruffalo, 1; Jeremy Renner, 2; Samuel L. Jackson, 1; Gwyneth Paltrow, 1)Oscar wins: 1 (Paltrow)
"Iron Man"Nominations at time of release: 8(Robert Downey, Jr., 1; Terrence Howard, 1; Jeff Bridges, 4; Gwyneth Paltrow, 1; Samuel L. Jackson, 1)Oscar wins: 1 (Paltrow)
"The Incredible Hulk"Nominations at time of release: 8(Edward Norton, 2; Tim Roth, 1; William Hurt, 4; Robert Downey, Jr., 1)Oscar wins: 1 (Hurt)
"Thor" Nominations at time of release: 8(Natalie Portman, 1; Anthony Hopkins, 4; Samuel L. Jackson, 1; Jeremy Renner, 2)Oscar wins: 2 (Portman, Hopkins)
"Iron Man 3"Nominations at time of release: 9(Robert Downey, Jr., 2; Gwyneth Paltrow, 1; Don Cheadle, 1; Ben Kingsley, 4; Mark Ruffalo, 1)Oscar wins: 2 (Paltrow, Kingsley)
