11 Times Iconic Characters That Stayed In Our Heart Suprised Us By Returning To The Screen Years Later

Some movies became iconic no matter how many years went by. There are so many factors contributing to a successful movie, including charming and talented actors, brilliant directors, and an amazing movie storyline. Some people have already rewatched them again and again and figured out every interesting detail in these flicks. Some believe 1,2 or even more than 3 sequels are not enough and certainly, many of them feel upset when these movie series came to an end.
Luckily, there are directors who bright back the stories that have won the hearts of viewers for years or decades. And, we appreciate what they have done to set up a new adventure with the same characters we’ve kept in our memories for such a long time. Even though the castings have been aging that there’re a lot of changes in their looks. Many fans couldn’t even realize these actors without any introduction. Anyway, they still bring us a lot of nostalgia for all movies that came back with original actors.
Today, we have compiled a list of 11 iconic characters that stayed in our hearts and surprised us by their returning to screen years later. Let’s scroll down and check them out!

#1 Hayden Christensen: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and Obi-Wan Kenobi

Source: © Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith / Lucasfilm and co-producers, © Obi-Wan Kenobi / Lucasfilm and co-producer

Hayden Christensen achieved global recognition for his role as Anakin Skywalker. Thanks to the new series of the franchise, the actor came back to the screen to bring back the unforgettable Darth Vader.

#2 Bill Pullman: Independence Day and Independence Day: Resurgence

Source: © Independence Day / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producer, © Independence Day: Resurgence / Twentieth Century Fox and co-producers

Bill Pullman portrayed the fictional president, Thomas Jwhitemore in the highest-grossing film of 1996. 20 years later, he kept starring in the sequel as a revered hero.

#3 Laura Dern and Sam Neill: Jurassic Park III and Jurassic World Dominio

Source: © Jurassic Park III / Universal Pictures and co-producer, © Jurassic World: Dominion / Amblin Entertainment and co-producers

After more than 2 decades, we finally watch them, once again, struggling with the consequences of a world where dinosaurs live among us.

#4 Andrew Garfield: The Amazing Spider-Man and Spider-Man: No Way Home

Source: © The Amazing Spider-Man™ 2 / Marvel Enterprises and co-producers, © Spider-Man: No Way Home / Columbia Pictures and co-producers

Although the second The Amazing Spider-Man movie couldn't gain the expected success, Andrew Garfield was able to show off his hero skills in the 2021 blockbuster.

#5 Harrison Ford: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and the untitled fifth Indiana Jones film

Source: © Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull / Paramount Pictures and co-producers, Sicily1 / IPA / SIPA / Sipa Press / East News

Everyone remembers the adventures of the brave Indiana Jone which took 19 years to return to the screen. It would be the last time we see Harrison Ford in this role. And the film will be released in 2023 after some delays and rewrites.

#6 Keanu Reeves: The Matrix Revolutions and The Matrix Resurrections

Source: © The Matrix Revolutions / Warner Bros. and co-producers, © The Matrix Resurrections / Warner Bros. and co-producers

The movie hit theaters nearly 3 weeks after Matrix Reloaded was released on DVD. Still, it took 18 years for fans to see Neo on the screen again.

#7 Val Kilmer: Top Gun and Top Gun: Maverick

Source: © Top Gun / Paramount Pictures and co-producer, © Top Gun: Maverick / Paramount Pictures and co-producers

After one of the longest periods between a movie and its sequel, Val Kilmer finally returned to portray Tom "Iceman" Kazansky who is considered one of his most memorable roles. In the sequel, his character is an admiral who insists Maverick not abandon the pilot crew he has to train for a new mission.

#8 Sharon Stone: Basic Instinct and Basic Instinct 2

Source: © Basic Instinct / Carolco Pictures and co-producer, © Basic Instinct 2 / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and co-producers

The young Sharon Stone rose to her global stardom with her role as Catherine Tramell. Although some people couldn't satisfied with the sequel, the movie is still worth watching.

#9 Amy Adams: Enchanted and Disenchanted

Source: © Enchanted / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers, © Disenchanted / Walt Disney Pictures and co-producers

It's been 15 years since Army Adams took the crown and become the charismatic princess, Giselle. Now, the installment promises much more dancing and music than its predecessor.  “The last time I danced as much as is required here, I was 20. It feels different at 40,” said the actress.

#10 Ernie Hudson: Ghostbusters II and Ghostbusters: Afterlife

Source: © Ghostbusters II / Columbia Pictures and co-producers, © Ghostbusters: Afterlife / Columbia Pictures and co-producers

Ernie Hudson lent his voice to video games featuring his character, and we saw him in 2016's Ghostbusters as Bill Jenkins, Patty's uncle. Still, we hadn't seen him back in action as a ghost hunter since the 1980s.

#11 Willem Dafoe: Spider-Man 3 and Spider-Man: No Way Home

Source: © Spider-Man 3 / Columbia Pictures and co-producers, © Spider-Man: No Way Home / Columbia Pictures and co-producers

The iconic Green Goblin was part of Tobey Maguire's last Spider-Man flick as a hallucination encouraging his son to kill Spider-Man. After 14 years, we can see Wilem Dafoe reinterpreted his role as one of the villains who sneaks into Tom Holland's Character dimension.