The Marvel Cinematic Universe has brought back quite a few pre-MCU characters for different movies and shows in Phase 4. Long before beginning its Phase 4 story arc, the MCU has been well-known for how it weaves each movie and show into the franchise's larger narrative. However, there are also many movies and TV shows based on Marvel Comics that pre-date the MCU. Prior to Disney's acquisition of Fox and Sony's Spider-Man deal with Marvel, other Marvel-based superhero franchises previously ran at the same time as the MCU without being connected to it.
With the beginning of the MCU's Phase 4, Marvel Studios would start to tap into these other Marvel-based continuities from other studios with the introduction of the multiverse into the franchise. That is set to continue with Phases 4 through 6, dubbed "The Multiverse Saga", but Phase 4 already has a big head start on the saga with its multiverse-based comebacks of several actors from earlier Marvel-based franchises. Here is every character from pre or concurrent MCU Marvel movies or shows who has returned in the MCU's Phase 4, as well as the actors who portrays them.
Tobey Maguire
The first big-screen Web-Slinger Tobey Maguire returned for the multiversal adventure of Spider-Man 3 are not delved into much, Maguire's Spider-Man return in No Way Home is nonetheless one of the best pre-MCU comebacks in the Marvel Multiverse.
Andrew Garfield
Despite Garfield’s persistent pre-release denials that he was in No Way Home, his return ended up being one of the highlights of the movie and arguably Garfield’s best performance as Peter Parker. In No Way Home, “Peter #3,” as he is dubbed, continues to be haunted by the loss of Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone) in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, achieving a great heroic redemption in his rescue of MJ (Zendaya). Of the many crowd-pleasing elements of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Andrew Garfield’s Spidey comeback is a true fan favorite.
Charlie Cox
After three years with a vague future following the end of the Marvel-Netflix age, Charlie Cox finally returned as the MCU's Daredevil. Cox's Daredevil: Born Again. Though Charlie Cox's Daredevil comeback was technically a return building on the Marvel-Netflix show's ambiguous MCU continuity, it has nonetheless been very warmly received.
J.K. Simmons
One of the most acclaimed castings in comic book movie history occurred with J.K. Simmons’s portrayal of J. Jonah Jameson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy, and his role was revived with Simmons’s return as the MCU version of Jameson in 2019’s Spider-Man: Far From Home. Simmons' Jameson returned to crusade against Spidey in No Way Home, while he and the Daily Bugle received an Alex Jones-inspired re-imagining.
Willem Dafoe
Spidey’s greatest nemesis Norman Osborn a.k.a. the Green Goblin finally debuted in the MCU in No Way Home, with Willem Dafoe bringing his Norman and Goblin personas back from the Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies. In No Way Home, Dafoe’s Norman is one of five villains accidentally pulled into the MCU from other universes, with Norman arriving just before his original death in Spider-Man. He still battles the influence of his Goblin persona, with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man successfully curing him.
Alfred Molina
Doc Ock is the first Spider-Man villain to arrive in No Way Home, with Alfred Molina bringing the mad scientist to life again after his villain role in 2004’s Doc Ock fully redeemed from Spider-Man 2.
Thomas Haden Church
Spider-Man forgave Flint Marko for his accidental killing of Uncle Ben in Spider-Man 3, but Marko would return again when he too is pulled into the MCU in No Way Home. Church returns to voice Marko, who is always in sand form in No Way Home, with the Sandman still determined to get home to his daughter. After being cured by Peter #2, Marko gets sent back to his Earth for a fresh start.
Rhys Ifans
The first villain faced by Andrew Garfield’s Web-Slinger in The Amazing Spider-Man, Dr. Curt Connors is back once more as The Lizard in No Way Home, with Rhys Ifans voicing the character. Returned to his reptilian form after being pulled in the MCU, The Lizard battles the Spidey trio at the Statue of Liberty in No Way Home’s climax before he is once again turned human, this time by Tom Holland’s Peter #1.
Jamie Foxx
The Amazing Spider-Man 2's Electro (Jamie Foxx) also comes back for No Way Home. After getting a taste of a new kind of electricity in the MCU, the anger-prone Max Dillon resolves to stay, but he is de-powered in the climactic battle. He and Peter #3 also finally make peace, with Andrew Garfield’s Web-Slinger assuring Max he was never a nobody before Electro is sent home.
Tom Hardy
After leading Sony’s MCU parallel Venom's usual rivalry with Spider-Man is changed, with Venom expressing curiosity about Spidey and Eddie deciding to travel to New York City to meet him. Unfortunately, Eddie and Venom find themselves sent home before they get the chance, though a small fragment of the Venom symbiote is left behind.
Patrick Stewart
For Sam Raimi’s Logan.
With the Multiverse Saga preparing to unfold, it seems likely that many more former Marvel actors will return in cameos or ing roles in the MCU. Hugh Jackman himself is already preparing for exactly that with his return as Wolverine in Deadpool 3. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe prepares to enter Phases 5 and 6, Phase 4 has gotten them off to a strong start with it numerous Marvel alumni returns.
