From the director ofIndependence Day, Roland Emmerich’sMidwayis an underrated recent war film with an unbelievable cast of recognizable movie stars.Based on real-life eventsfrom World War II, including the attack on Pearl Harbor and the titular Battle of Midway, the 2019 film explores the lives of numerous characters fighting in the Pacific Theater. Like many of thebest war movies of all time, Emmerich’s film boasts an immensely talented list of names in its cast, from superhero franchise stars to actors from popular TV shows.
Roland Emmerich’sMidwayisn’t the first movie to tackle the famous WWII naval battle, following up the 1976 film of the same name that starred Henry Fonda, Robert Mitchum, Toshiro Mifune, and more. Despite having to compete with such legendary names, the 2019 film boasts higher reviews, including an impressive 92% score from over 10,000 audience members on Rotten Tomatoes.Screen Rant’sMidwayreviewpraises the cast, saying they’re “solid in their roles and honor the real people they’re portraying.” Most of their characters are distinguished figures with fascinating lives to explore.
Ed Skrein as Lieutenant Dick Best
Born July 13, 2025
Actor:Ed Skrein is a British actor and rapper who has appeared in various film and television projects since 2012. Thefirst role that granted him worldwide recognition was playing Daario Naharis in season 3 ofGame of Thrones. He’s since found success in blockbuster movies likeDeadpool,Alita: Battle Angel, and Zack Snyder’sRebel Moonfranchise for Netflix. He was praised in 2023 for his role in the WWII dramaAll the Light We Cannot See, and in 2025, he’ll appear in the cast ofJurassic World Rebirth.
Zapan
Character:Ed Skrein’sMidwaycharacter is Dick Best, a US Navy dive bomber pilot who led his squad two sink two aircraft carriers in the real-life Battle of Midway.
Patrick Wilson as Lieutenant Commander Edwin Layton
Born July 12, 2025
Actor:Patrick Wilson is an American actor from Virginia who began his career on Broadway shows likeOklahoma!Hisfilm and television career kicked off with an Emmy-nominated role in HBO’s miniseriesAngels in America, and he’s since become widely recognizable for his characters in horror franchises and films based on DC comics. He’s played leading roles in theInsidiousseries andThe Conjuringuniverse, which included his 2023 directorial debut forInsidious: Red Door. In the world of comic book films, he’s played Nite Owl inWatchmenas well as Ocean Master in theAquamanmovies.
The Conjuring
Ed Warren
Character:Patrick Wilson plays Edwin Layton, a rear admiral in the US Navy who’s remembered for his work as an intelligence officer.
Luke Evans as Lieutenant Commander Wade McClusky
Born July 17, 2025
Actor:Luke Evans is a Welsh actor who began his career on stage before breaking into film with 2010’sClash of the Titansreboot. He’s sincefound success in multiple film franchises, playing Bard the Bowman in Peter Jackson’sThe Hobbittrilogy, Owen Shaw inFast & Furious 6, Gaston in the live-actionBeauty and the Beastmovie, and the titular vampire inDracula Untold. On television, he found success with the AMC seriesThe Alienist, and more recently, the action thriller seriesEcho 3.
Dracula Untold
Dracula
Character:Luke Evans plays Wade McClusky, a US Navy aviator whose decision making was credited for “deciding the fate” of the Battle of Midway.
Aaron Eckhart as Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle
Born August 18, 2025
Actor:Aaron Eckhart is an American actor from Cupertino, California, who’s been working on films and TV shows for over three decades. His first role to gain widespread recognition was in the Oscar-nominated filmErin Brockovich, and he received a Golden Globe nomination in 2006 for his role in Thank You for Smoking. However, his most widely recognized role is Harvey Dent, also known as Two-Face, in 2008’sThe Dark Knight, which is often considered one of the best movies of all time. In it, he delivered iconic movie quotes like “You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.”
The Dark Knight
Harvey Dent / Two-Face
Character:Aaron Eckhart playsLieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle, an American military general and aviation pioneer who’s among the most storied historical figures featured inMidway.
Roland Emmerich Movies Ranked, Worst To Best
With the release of his new film Midway, we take a look back at Roland Emmerich’s best and worst movies, from 10,000 B.C. to Independence Day.
Nick Jonas as Aviation Machinist’s Mate Bruno Gaido
Born August 14, 2025
Actor:Nick Jonas is an American singer and actor bestknown for his music in the boyband, the Jonas Brothers, alongside his brothers Kevin and Joe. Before the band started, Nick Jonas found roles as a child actor on Broadway before breaking into movies and TV shows years later. He’s appeared in 40 episodes of the TV showKingdom, as well as theJumanjimovies alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. For a secondary career, his filmography isn’t that bad.
Davy Prentiss Jr.
Character:Nick Jonas playsAviation Machinist’s Mate Bruno Gaido. Gaido’s real-life story is one of tragedy, having been taken prisoner during the Battle of Midway and later executed.
Dennis Quaid as Vice Admiral William “Bull” Halsey
Born July 04, 2025
Actor:Dennis Quaid is an American actor from Houston, Texas, who’s been working on movies for nearly five decades. He’s appeared innumerous hits throughout his career, fromThe Right StufftoDragonhearttoFar from Heaven. Though his career has fluctuated in the 21st century, Dennis Quaid has returned to form in 2024 with prominent roles inThe Substanceand the titular role in the presidential biopicReagan. On television, he’s starred in shows likeGoliath,Lawmen: Bass Reeves, and will appear in the seriesHappy Facein 2025.
Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Character:Dennis Quaid plays Vice Admiral William “Bull” Halsey, one of four officers who’s attained the rank of five-star fleet admiral in the US Navy.
Midway Supporting Cast & Characters
Darren Criss as Lieutenant Commander Eugene Lindsey:Darren Criss is an actor and singer best known for his roles in the hit seriesGleeandThe Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, for which he was nominated for an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
Alexander Ludwig as Lieutenant Roy Pearce:Alexander Ludwig is a Canadian actor whom most audiences will recognize as Cato fromThe Hunger Games. Recently, he’s starred in the wrestling dramaHeelsalongside Stephen Amell.
Woody Harrelson as Admiral Chester W. Nimitz:Woody Harrelson is an American actor who’s had roles in several iconic movie franchises, fromStar WarstoThe Hunger GamestoPlanet of the Apes. Some of his best roles includeTrue Detective,No Country for Old Men, andThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Etsushi Toyokawa as Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto:Etsushi Toyokawa is a Japanese actor primarily known for his work in his home country, with his most celebrated roles including the moviesLove Letter,No Way Back,andHanako.
Tadanobu Asano as Rear Admiral Tamon Yamaguchi:Tadanobu Asano is a Japanese actor who’s had roles in theThorfranchise and, recently, the popular FX seriesShogun.
Mandy Moore as Anne Best:Mandy Moore is an American singer-songwriter who’s also appeared as an actor in titles likeThe Princess Diaries.
Midway
Written by Wes Tooke and directed by Roland Emmerich, 2019’s Midway is a 2019 feature film starring Ed Skrein, Luke Evans, and Patrick Wilson. The film revolves around the invasion of Midway island and follows the war struggles between the United States and Japan.
