While Marvel's cinematic universe is renowned for jaw-dropping action and superhero heroics, behind the scenes, some stars have forged romantic connections that rival the on-screen chemistry of Pepper Potts and Tony Stark or Vision and Wanda Maximoff. Beyond the realm of capes and cosmic battles, a fascinating tapestry of off-screen love stories has unfolded among the Marvel elite.
This journey into the heart of Marvel's romantic escapades begins not with Iron Man's suit or Thor's hammer but with the early 2000s Daredevil, where Ben Affleck, portraying the blind superhero Matt Murdock, found more than just a role. In a twist of fate, Affleck fell for Jennifer Garner, who played Elektra, turning a less-than-critically acclaimed film into the birthplace of their love story. As Affleck himself revealed, "That’s where I found my wife." This captivating saga unfolds, revealing unexpected connections that transcend the superhero narrative, proving that love can flourish even amidst the chaos of saving the world.
Keep scrolling down and take a look at Marvel stars who once dated:
#1. Tom Hiddleston And Zawe Ashton
Source: Darren Gerrish/WireImage
Hiddleston, known for portraying Loki since 2011's Thor, and Ashton, who played the villainous Dar-Benn in 2023's The Marvels, first crossed paths outside the superhero realm during the 2018 West End play Betrayal.
Their connection blossomed into a romantic journey, making a splash on the red carpet at the September 2021 Tony Awards. The duo took their commitment to the next level, getting engaged in early 2022, and joyfully welcomed their first child later that same year.
#2. Scarlett Johansson And Ryan Reynolds
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Pre-MCU fame, the Black Widow star entered a relationship with the future Deadpool actor in 2007. Their two-year marriage concluded with a separation in December 2010.
#3. Gemma Chan And Dominic Cooper
Source: MEGA
Cooper, known for his role as Howard Stark in the Captain America films, found love with Chan, who joined the MCU in 2019 as Doctor Minerva in Captain Marvel and later portrayed Sersi in 2021’s Eternals. The couple, first linked in 2018, shared a connection both on and off the superhero screen.
#4. Robert Downey Jr. And Marisa Tomei
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#5. Tom Holland And Zendaya
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After years of keeping their relationship under wraps, Spider-Man costars Zendaya and Tom Holland officially confirmed their romance in 2021. According to a source, the duo, who started as close friends, gradually transitioned into a romantic connection. In September 2021, Holland celebrated Zendaya's birthday with a shared photo, their first public acknowledgment as a couple, amassing over 19 million likes. Despite the attention, Holland downplayed the public interest in their relationship in a December 2021 interview, emphasizing their focus on their work and the support of their dedicated fans.
#6. Elizabeth Olsen And Tom Hiddleston
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The WandaVision star briefly dated Hiddleston, Thor's Loki, in 2015. Beyond their MCU collaboration, the pair also portrayed husband and wife in the 2015 biopic I Saw the Light, centered around Hank Williams.
#7. Chris Pratt And Emily VanCamp
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Before gaining fame as Star-Lord in the Guardians of the Galaxy Movies, Pratt, who previously played brother and sister with VanCamp on the TV series Everwood, dated her from 2004 to 2007. VanCamp, known for her role as Sharon Carter, Peggy Carter's great-niece in the MCU, shared history with Pratt beyond their on-screen family ties.
#8. Jennifer Connelly And Paul Bettany
The Labyrinth star portrayed Betty Ross in the 2003 film Hulk, not officially part of the MCU, and lent her voice to Karen, the AI in 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming. Married to Bettany, who embodies Vision, since January 2003, the couple has two children together.
#9. Zoe Saldana And Bradley Cooper
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Though the Oscar nominee isn't seen on screen in Marvel movies, he voices Rocket Racoon, a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy. He dated Saldana, the actress behind Gamora, in 2012, a connection formed while working together on the set of The Words.
#10. Ben Affleck And Jennifer Garner
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The Last Duel star and the Alias alum were married from 2005 to 2018. Affleck later ventured back into the comic book realm, this time in the DC universe, portraying Batman in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
#11. Ben Affleck And Gwyneth Paltrow
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The Deep Water actor and the Goop founder were in a relationship from 1997 to 2000, sparked by their meeting on the set of Shakespeare in Love. Paltrow, known for playing Pepper Potts, the wife of Tony Stark, is part of the MCU.
#12. Chris Evans And Jessica Biel
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Evans, now renowned as Captain America, made his Marvel debut in 2005's Fantastic Four as the Human Torch. During the years 2001 to 2006, he had an on-and-off relationship with Biel, his co-star from 2004's Blade: Trinity.
Which couple is your favorite? Let's share your thoughts with us in the comments below!