However, it is not always like this. As the years go by and new generations arise, more and more films featuring these iconic characters are produced. It may be prequels, sequels, or even outright reboots. As a result, actors had to be replaced. Hence, some characters have been played by more than one actor.
From Joker to Spider-Man, here are some examples of well-known characters that have been portrayed by several actors. Which characters do you like? And who is the best fit for your favorite characters? Let us know in the comments below!
#1 Superman
Christopher Reeve in "Superman" (1978)
Source: Superman
Tom Welling in "Smallville" (2001–2011)
Source: Smallville
Henry Cavill in "Man of Steel" (2013)
Source: Man of Steel
Tyler Hoechlin in "Superman and Lois" (2021)
Source: Superman and Lois
#2 Joker
Jack Nicholson in "Batman" (1989)
Source: Batman
Heath Ledger in "The Dark Knight" (2008)
Source: The Dark Knight
Jared Leto in "Suicide Squad" (2016)
Source: Suicide Squad
Joaquin Phoenix in "Joker" (2019)
Source: Joker
#3 Willy Wonka
Gene Wilder in "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" (1977)
Source: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Johnny Depp in "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" (2005)
Source: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
#4 Cinderella
Julie Andrews in "Cinderella" (1957)
Source: Cinderella
Brandy in "Cinderella" (1997)
Source: Cinderella
Lily James in "Cinderella" (2015)
Source: Cinderella
Camila Cabello in "Cinderella" (2021)
Source: Cinderella
#5 Spider-Man
Tobey Maguire in "Spider-Man" (2002)
Source: Spider-Man
Andrew Garfield in "The Amazing Spider-Man" (2012)
Source: The Amazing Spider-Man
Tom Holland in "Spider-Man: Homecoming" (2017) and "Spider-Man: No Way Home" (2021)
Source: Spider-Man: Homecoming
#6 Catwoman
Eartha Kitt in "Batman" (1967–1968)
Source: Batman
Michelle Pfeiffer in "Batman Returns" (1992)
Source: Batman Returns
Halle Berry in "Catwoman" (2004)
Source: Catwoman
Anne Hathaway in "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012)
Source: The Dark Knight Rises
#7 James Bond
Sean Connery in "Dr. No" (1962)
Source: Dr. No
Roger Moore in "Live and Let Die" (1973)
Source: Live and Let Die
Pierce Brosnan in "GoldenEye" (1995)
Source: GoldenEye
Daniel Craig in "Casino Royale" (2006)
Source: Casino Royale
#8 Morgan Matthews
Lily Nicksay in "Boy Meets World" (1993–1995)
Source: Boy Meets World
Lindsay Ridgeway in "Boy Meets World" (1996–2000)
Source: Boy Meets World
#9 Vito Corleone
Marlon Brando in "The Godfather" (1972)
Source: The Godfather
Robert De Niro in "The Godfather Part II" (1974)
Source: The Godfather Part II
#10 Dumbledore
Richard Harris in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (2001)
Source: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Michael Gambon in "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (2004)
Source: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Jude Law in "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" (2018)
Source: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
#11 Annie
Aileen Quinn in "Annie" (1982)
Source: Annie
Alicia Morton in "Annie" (1999)
Source: Annie
Quvenzhané Wallis in "Annie" (2014)
Source: Annie
Celina Smith in "Annie Live!" (2021)
Source: Annie Live!
#12 Santa
Edmund Gwenn in "Miracle on 34th Street" (1947)
Source: Miracle on 34th Street
Tim Allen in "The Santa Clause" (1994)
Source: The Santa Clause
Ed Asner in "Elf" (2003)
Source: Elf
#13 Doctor
David Tennant in "Doctor Who" (2005-2010)
Source: Doctor Who
Matt Smith in "Doctor Who" (2010–2013)
Source: Doctor Who
Peter Capaldi in "Doctor Who" (2013–2017)
Source: Doctor Who
Jodie Whittaker in "Doctor Who" (2017–present)
Source: Doctor Who
#14 Aunt Viv
Janet Hubert in "The Fresh Prince" (1990–1993)
Source: The Fresh Prince
Daphne Maxwell Reid in "The Fresh Prince" (1993–1996)
Source: The Fresh Prince
#15 Rhodey/War Machine
Terrence Howard in "Iron Man" (2008)
Source: Iron Man
Don Cheadle in "Iron Man 2" (2011)
Source: Iron Man 2