The Marvel Movie You Likely Forgot Starred Tim Robbins
"St. Elsewhere" was a television staple that kicked off in 1982 and amassed 137 episodes by the time it left the airwaves six years later. During that tenure, it featured numerous legendary actors, including Denzel Washington, Christina Pickles, Howie Mandel, and Tim Robbins, who made his mainstream acting debut in the series as Andrew Reinhardt. Though he only appeared on the show for a mere three episodes from Season 1, it was enough to launch a career that has spanned screens big and small and made Robbins a true Hollywood icon.
Following his brief run on "St. Elsewhere," Robbins would quickly rise through the ranks in the entertainment world to star in more than a few notable productions. "Twister," "The Shawshank Redemption," and "Castle Rock" stand out as some of his most recognizable titles, but they're far from the only ones he attached his name to. He has won numerous awards, directed projects of his own, embraced his musical talents, and earned acclaim across the globe. Not to mention, he has even given the superhero genre a try under both the DC and Marvel banners.
2011's "Green Lantern" saw Tim Robbins play Senator Robert Hammond, but given the film's poor reputation and his lack of substantial screen time, it's understandable if you don't recall his presence at all. Sadly, he didn't have much better luck with his lone Marvel outing either.
Robbins featured in the widely-maligned Howard the Duck
Long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe, director Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" trilogy, 20th Century Fox's "X-Men" franchise, and even "Blade," the film world had next to no interest in adapting Marvel's comic catalog at the movies. However, that attitude began to shift in the mid-1980s thanks to George Lucas (yes, that George Lucas), who wanted to bring one of the publisher's characters to the silver screen. No, not a heavy hitter like Hulk or Captain America. Lucas wanted to make a movie centered on Howard the Duck, and by 1986, he got his wish in collaboration with Universal.
Upon landing on Earth from his native Duckworld, Howard (voiced by Chip Zien and portrayed physically by a host of crew members) meets a couple of human companions who plan to help him return home. Lea Thompson played Howard's love interest Beverly Switzler while Tim Robbins took on the role of Phil Blumburtt: a wannabe scientist who takes a vested interest in Howard and his unexpected trip to Earth. Much like the film itself, which endures to this day as one of the worst Marvel Comics-based films ever made, Blumburtt is forgettable at best, even though Robbins feels different than most.
Considering how determined Marvel Studios seems to get as many big-name actors as possible to appear in the MCU, perhaps Tim Robbins could get another crack at the world of tights and capes someday. If not, he still has his appearance in "Howard the Duck" to hang his hat on, for whatever that's worth.