10 Huge Stars You Didn’t Know Appeared in Troma Movies (Including 4 MCU Stars)

Initially, it seemed that the 2023 reboot of “The Toxic Avenger” would remain confined to its initial festival screenings without a wider release. However, two years later, the film did secure a broader distribution, though attendance was disappointingly low. It’s unfortunate, as the movie is filled with humor, features some standout action scenes, and delivers impressive performances by Peter Dinklage and Luisa Guerreiro as the main character. Notably, Dinklage isn’t the only notable actor in this relatively obscure production; Jacob Tremblay, Elijah Wood, and Kevin Bacon also shine in their respective roles.

Regarding notable productions, it’s worth mentioning that The Toxic Avenger of 2023 isn’t the first film by Troma Entertainment to boast a well-known actor. In fact, previously, these actors were not yet at the peak of their fame.

10) Michael Jai White in The Toxic Avenger Part II

In the sequels two and three of the Toxie series, the storyline centers around Apocalypse, Inc., a corporation unveiled as a satanic enterprise, orchestrated by the Devil in his mission to create chaos on Earth. To carry out this destruction, he employs a team of minions.

As a devoted cinephile, I must share an intriguing piece of trivia about Michael Jai White. In his initial foray into the silver screen, he graced one of the villain’s roles in a film, which happened to be “Black Dynamite” in 1989. Post this debut, he appeared in minor yet pivotal roles in blockbusters such as “Universal Soldier” and “On Deadly Ground”. His breakthrough came with his lead role in the 1997 movie “Spawn”. Ever since then, he’s made a recurring appearance in superhero realms, lending his voice to various DC animated projects, portraying Gambol in “The Dark Knight”, and maintaining a regular presence on the TV series “Arrow”.

Stream The Toxic Avenger Part II for free with ads on Tubi.

9) Vanna White in Graduation Day

In this scenario, IFI/Scope III acted as the distributor for the budget horror film titled “Graduation Day”, while Troma served both as the producer and later the DVD distributor. Thus, although “Graduation Day” doesn’t fall under the full Troma banner like “The Toxic Avenger”, it shares enough similarities to warrant consideration on this list.

Discussing the reasons behind this movie’s creation, it features Vanna White. She is well recognized for her role as co-host on the show Wheel of Fortune, which started in 1982, a single year following the release of this film.

Stream Graduation Day for free with ads on Tubi.

8) Billy Bob Thornton in Chopper Chicks in Zombietown

In 1989, the film “Chopper Chicks in Zombietown” marked one of Billy Bob Thornton’s early projects, setting the stage for a long and successful career. It wasn’t until two years later, with Carl Franklin’s critically acclaimed movie “One False Move”, that Thornton landed his first significant role, which he also co-wrote. However, it was not until 1996 and the release of “Sling Blade” that Thornton truly broke through as a major talent in the film industry.

It’s not surprising that “Chopper Chicks in Zombietown,” with a title as shallow as its plot, offers lighter material compared to films like “Sling Blade” or “One False Move.” Given his limited role in this film, even the most dedicated Thornton fans might consider giving it a miss.

7) Samuel L. Jackson in Def by Temptation

Produced within four weeks for a budget of $5 million, the movie “Def by Temptation” stood out among Troma productions due to its inclusion of Screen Actors Guild members. For example, Samuel L. Jackson, who portrayed the protagonist’s deceased father in several scenes.

1990 marked a significant milestone for Jackson, as he starred in several films such as “A Shock to the System,” “Betsy’s Wedding,” “The Exorcist III,” “Goodfellas,” “The Return of the Superfly,” and Spike Lee’s “Mo’ Better Blues.” However, his parts in these movies were relatively minor. It wasn’t until the following year, when he appeared in Spike Lee’s “Jungle Fever,” that he truly made a name for himself.

Stream Def by Temptation for free with ads on Tubi.

6) Vincent D’Onofrio in The First Turn-On!

The film “The First Turn-On!” is a camp comedy that shares similarities with movies like “Meatballs” (if the original “Meatballs” were rated R) and “Wet Hot American Summer.” It’s a low-budget production, reminiscent of the type of easily forgettable films Troma became known for creating.

The production frequently imitates the rhythms of more successful comedies and shares a similar final note with “Animal House.” However, it does offer a debut role for Vincent D’Onofrio, known for his work in “Men in Black” and “Daredevil,” although he plays a character named Lobotomy. It wasn’t until four years later that D’Onofrio gained widespread recognition through Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket.”

This production often mimics the style of popular comedies and concludes in the same manner as “Animal House.” Yet, it provides a first appearance for Vincent D’Onofrio, who has acted in both “Men in Black” and “Daredevil,” despite portraying a character named Lobotomy. Notably, D’Onofrio gained his big break four years later with Stanley Kubrick’s “Full Metal Jacket.

Stream The First Turn-On! for free with ads on Tubi.

5) Kevin Costner in Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.

Filmed between 1978 and 1979, “Sizzle Beach, U.S.A.” marked Kevin Costner’s first appearance on screen. Later, when his career took off in the late 80s, he attempted to acquire the rights to this film with the intention of keeping it hidden from public view. The minimal plot revolves around three young women seeking love and work.

In a rephrased and simplified manner: Kevin Costner portrays John Logan, the proprietor of a riding school where a young woman learns equestrian skills. Later in the early ’80s, he took on minor roles in various films, such as “The Big Chill”, although his flashback scenes were ultimately removed. However, his significant breakthrough came with another cowboy-like character in the 1985 movie, “Silverado.

4) Eli Roth in Terror Firmer & Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV

11 years subsequent to “The Toxic Avenger Part III”, “Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV” can be seen as a sequel that upholds tradition, and it boasts several recognizable figures eager to play minor roles in what essentially became Troma’s version of “The Avengers” (Troma’s well-loved character, Sgt. Kabukiman, briefly makes an appearance). For example, Corey Feldman, who starred in “The Goonies” and “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter”, Hugh Hefner, and Stan Lee himself are among those who graced the film with their presence.

Eli Roth, who would later become famous for directing “Cabin Fever,” can be spotted briefly in the director role. This appearance took place about two years before his major breakthrough, but Roth didn’t sever ties with Troma even after that success. In fact, he lent his voice to a character in their 2006 animated film titled “Disaster!” as well.

Stream Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV for free with ads on Tubi.

3) James & Sean Gunn in Tromeo and Juliet

James Gunn, director of the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and a key figure in DCU leadership, first made his mark with the company Troma, where he spent four formative years (from 1996 to 2000). During this time, he collaborated closely with Troma co-founder Lloyd Kaufman on projects like the film “Tromeo and Juliet” and the TV series “The Tromaville Café,” as well as directing shorts such as “Hamster PSA” and “Sgt. Kabukiman Public Service Announcement.” He even co-authored the Kaufman biography, “All I Need to Know about Filmmaking I Learned from the Toxic Avenger,” alongside Kaufman himself.

During this time, Gunn primarily worked behind the scenes, but he did make appearances in several Troma projects. Notably, he was featured in “Tromeo and Juliet,” “Sgt. Kabukiman Public Service Announcement,” and “Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV.” Among these, his role as the panicked father in “Tromeo and Juliet” stood out, as he reacted more to a head landing on his car windshield than to his children, who saw it as just another basketball.

Stream Tromeo and Juliet with an AMC+ Prime Video channel subscription.

2) J. J. Abrams “in” Nightbeast

Indeed, J. J. Abrams wasn’t directly involved in the movie “Nightbeast”, but it marked his debut as a filmmaker. Similar to his daughter Gracie, J. J. initially found his footing in music.

At just 16 years old, Jeffrey Abrams was involved in the composition for the movie ‘Nightbeast’. He had come across articles by the director, Don Dohler, and after some correspondence, Dohler invited him to join the project. Eight years later, he moved on to work as a writer on Dohler’s subsequent film, ‘Taking Care of Business’.

Stream Nightbeast for free with ads on Tubi.

1) Trey Parker & Matt Stone in Cannibal! The Musical

Approximately four years prior to the release of “South Park,” Trey Parker and Matt Stone worked together on a humorous musical titled “Cannibal!” during their time at the University of Colorado, Boulder. This production offers a light-hearted account of the real-life story of Alfred Packer, who resorted to cannibalism while leading a group from Utah to Colorado during their journey.

On a shoestring budget of $125,000, the movie was filmed by Parker (the director) and his team during weekends and spring break in 1993. Faced with numerous challenges, they managed to complete it, which was first screened near their school before playing at the Raindance Film Festival a year later. It wasn’t until 1996 that Troma took notice of it, distributing it across Colorado. With South Park gaining immense popularity, the film developed a dedicated cult fanbase, and it’s evident why, as even with its modest budget, it serves as an early glimpse into Parker and Stone’s budding skills and their passion for humorous musical sequences.

Stream Cannibal! The Musical for free with ads on Tubi.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/toxic-avenger-5-plot-reboot-lloyd-kayfman-interview/embed/#

2025-09-11 03:12