Several high-profile actors could finally join theMCUin roles they originally auditioned or lobbied for, asAvengers: Secret Warsis expected to explore the full potential of Marvel’s multiverse. In recent years, superhero movies have become more mainstream and accepted than ever before, meaning more and more high-profile stars want roles in these franchises. For the MCU, this has enabled the inclusion of incredible talents such as Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Cate Blanchett and Scarlett Johansson, but some haven’t been so lucky.
Not every actor who wants to be cast in the MCU can be. Over the years, this has created a huge list ofstars who’ve auditioned for iconic Marvel roles, had fan support to be cast in the MCU, or got very close to receiving the part, only to be replaced by someone else.While this is disappointing, they now have the chance to appear in their long-wanted MCU roles, as2027’s upcomingAvengers: Secret Warsis expected to feature many multiversal variants, allowing these alternate casting choices to be brought to life.
How Every Avengers Actor Was Cast In The MCU
While casting decisions for the MCU’s Avengers are widely celebrated, the road to getting the actors on board wasn’t always a simple process.
10Tom Hiddleston as Thor
Thor (2011), Kong: Skull Island (2017), The Essex Serpent (2022)
Of course, Tom Hiddleston did get gifted a role in the MCU, but it was not the role he originally auditioned for ahead of his casting in 2011’sThor. While he was eventually cast as the God of Mischief, Loki,Hiddleston actually auditioned for the titular God of Thunder himself, a role that ultimately went to Chris Hemsworth. This casting turned out to be perfect for both roles, so no harm done, but it would be brilliant to seeTom Hiddleston return to the MCUinAvengers: Secret Warsas an alternate version of Thor.
In Marvel Comics’Secret Wars, the multiversalThor Corps play a key role. It would be fantastic to see Tom Hiddleston’s Thor as a member of this interdimensional police force inAvengers: Secret Wars, perhaps alongside some of the weirdest and wackiest versions of Thor from Marvel Comics. This would evidently be a wildly different role to what Hiddleston is used to playing in the MCU, buthe has proven his action skills with roles in several projects, includingKong: Skull Island, so there’s no doubt he’d make a wonderful Thor variant.
9Joaquin Phoenix as Doctor Strange
Gladiator (2000), Her (2013), Joker (2019)
During a 2018 conversation withLittle White Lies, Joaquin Phoenix revealed more about why he didn’t become theMCU’s Doctor Strange, leaving the role for Benedict Cumberbatch to claim, instead. Though he doesn’t go into too much detail, Phoenix suggests that"all parties were satisfied"with how things turned out.Doctor Strange has been set up as a key figure in the Multiverse Saga, and, so far, all his variants have been played by Cumberbatch, but it would be great to see Phoenix assume the role inAvengers: Secret Wars.
I think they make some great, fun movies. There’s nothing wrong… I’m not a fking, like, cinephile. I’m not a snob, and I’m totally fine with… I enjoy those movies sometimes, and I think they keep the fking industry going in some ways, so I don’t have a problem with it at all. I think that everybody was, is… I’m trying to figure out how to say this most diplomatically, okay… I think everybody was really happy with how things turned out. All parties were satisfied.
Joaquin Phoenix is one of the most highly-acclaimed actors of his generation. Roles inGladiator, Inherent Vice, Her, Walk the Line, The MasterandNapoleonhave made him one of the most coveted names in Hollywood. Phoenix also stars as the titularArthur Fleck inJoker, adapting the iconic DC Comics villain, so it’s possible he could make the move to the MCU to appear as a powerful Doctor Strange variant.Phoenix certainly has the screen presence, command and confidence to play Doctor Strange perfectly.
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Former Marvel attorney Paul Sarker opens up about how Joaquin Phoenix’s Doctor Strange rejection affected the MCU’s hiring process.
8Amanda Seyfried as Gamora
Mamma Mia! (2008), Les Misérables (2012), You Should Have Left (2020)
Zoe Saldaña became known in the MCU for portraying the green daughter of Thanos,Gamora, in James Gunn’sGuardians of the Galaxyfranchise, but this role almost went toMamma Mia!andLes Misérablesstar Amanda Seyfried, instead. In a 2020 interview withComicbook.com, Seyfried revealed the real reason she turned down the role of Gamora.“I don’t wanna be green. It’s just so much work,“she notes, butthe popularity of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Gamora herself and the MCU as a whole may have changed her mind in the years since.
I think about it often. I’m not really a Marvel movie watcher, which is, I think, why I was just like, “Ah, I don’t wanna be green. It’s just so much work.” I remember Jennifer Lawrence talking about once, how long it took her to get blue. And I was like, “That seems like hell on earth,” because then you get to set, and you’re only there for a couple hours, and then you have to take everything off. And that was literally the reason.
Many actors have complained about long stints in the make-up chair, so this reasoning makes sense. Even so,it would be brilliant to see Amanda Seyfried explore Gamora at least once inAvengers: Secret Wars, especially considering her experience in dramatic and comedic roles. Projects such asYou Should Have Left, Mank, PanandThe Crowded Room, which saw her perform opposite MCU veteran Tom Holland, have proven that she’d be incredible in the MCU, and sinceZoe Saldaña has retired as Gamora, the timing is perfect for Seyfried to make her debut.
7Jason Momoa as Drax the Destroyer
Game Of Thrones (2011), Aquaman (2018), Dune (2021)
Before Dave Bautista was given the role ofDrax the Destroyer in 2014’sGuardians of the Galaxy, Jason Momoa was offered the part, and even auditioned alongside Chris Pratt, but turned it down. In a 2014 interview withZap2it(viaIGN),Momoa revealed that Drax was too similar to his previous roles, and he wanted to avoid being typecast. Momoa imagined Drax to be not much more than a grunting brute, but Bautista has proven the character can be so much more, so perhaps Momoa may have a change of heart.
I think it’s perfectly cast. Dave [Bautista] is perfect for that role, for Drax. It didn’t really fit in my time because I’ve done so many things where I don’t say much, and I’m colored up, and I have my shirt off again. I made a conscious choice to turn down some movies that were action-based to directRoad to Paloma, sopeople could see that side. I want my children to see their father happy. It’s not that it’s not a good role, it just wasn’t the right thing. I was onStargate: Atlantisfor four years playing a similar character called Ronon, who was an alien who didn’t say much and grunted. I’ve been there and done that, whether people have seen it or not. You want to stretch.
Jason Momoa’s appearance as Drax the Destroyer inAvengers: Secret Warsmay be more likely now that his time with DC has come to an end. Momoa portrayedArthur Curry’s Aquamanin six DCEU feature films, and made a cameo appearance inPeacemakerseason 1, but the franchise’s reboot has left his DC future uncertain.Since his career as Aquaman is over, and Dave Bautista has departed the MCU, it seems very possible that Jason Momoa could actually bring his version of Drax into the MCU.
Jason Momoa has been speculated to be recast as Lobo in the newly-rebooted DC Universe, though this hasn’t been confirmed by Momoa, James Gunn or Peter Safran.
6Zooey Deschanel as The Wasp
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy (2005), 500 Days Of Summer (2009), New Girl (2011)
2021’sThe Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universebook revealed that directorJoss Whedon had originally planned for the Wasp to appear in 2012’sThe Avengers.This version of the hero would have been played by Zooey Deschanel (viaSlashFilm). At the time, it was unclear if Scarlett Johansson could reprise her role of Natasha Romanoff’s Black Widow due to scheduling conflicts, so the Wasp was considered, years before Evangeline Lilly would bring the character to life inAnt-Man.
It was all about The Wasp. He wanted to cast Zooey Deschanel. [Wasp] was the funniest character in the whole movie, and well-written.
Whether this would have been the MCU’s Hope van Dyne or the original Wasp from Marvel Comics, Janet van Dyne, is unclear.Evangeline Lilly portrayed Hope van Dyne’s Wasp betweenAnt-Manand 2023’sQuantumania, but her recent retirement from acting has left the hero’s MCU fate uncertain. PerhapsElf, New Girland500 Days of Summerstar Zooey Deschanel could replace her, fulfilling Whedon’s original casting.Avengers: Secret Warswould be the perfect place to debutZooey Deschanel’s Wasp variant.
Evangeline Lilly Is “Stepping Away” From Acting Leaving Her MCU Future In Question
Evangeline Lilly announces her plans to step away from acting, meaning the future of Wasp in the MCU following Quantumania is unknown.
5Emily Blunt as Natasha Romanoff’s Black Widow
The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Edge Of Tomorrow (2014), Oppenheimer (2023)
Famously, British actor Emily Blunt wasn’t able to appear asNatasha Romanoff’s Black Widowin 2010’sIron Man 2because of her contractual obligation to appear in the far-less-successfulGulliver’s Travels. Blunt noted in 2023 on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast (viaDeadline)that"the best girl got it,“praising Scarlett Johansson’s long-running performance as Black Widow. More recently,Blunt has also claimed that not appearing in a superhero movie is a"badge of honor"for her(viaJosh Horowitz).
While this might be the case, the fact that herThe Fall Guyco-star Ryan Gosling has been so open about wanting to appear asGhost Rider in the MCU, and the fact that Blunt’s own husband, John Krasinski, appeared in Phase 4 as a Mister Fantastic variant, means she may change her mind. Blunt was fan-cast as Sue Storm opposite Krasinski, but this role ultimately went to Vanessa Kirby. Instead,Emily Blunt would be brilliant taking on her original potential MCU role, bringing Black Widow back to the MCU after Scarlett Johansson’s departure.
4John Krasinski as Steve Rogers’ Captain America
The Office (2005), A Quiet Place (2018), Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (2022)
While Emily Blunt could have been the MCU’s Black Widow, her husband was almostSteve Rogers' Captain Americain the MCU’s Phase 1. It’s hard to imagineThe Office’sJim Halpert as Captain America, butJohn Krasinski got very far in the casting process, even getting the chance to wear the suit and screen-test for the role, which he eventually lost to Chris Evans. Krasinski revealed he wanted to be in a Marvel movie toDigital Spyin 2016, and while his dream came true in 2022, he could play someone entirely new inAvengers: Secret Wars.
I’ll take a Marvel movie, any time! I love watching them, so I’d love to be a part of it. TheCaptain Americathing was hilarious… I had so much fun doing it and got to wear the suit and screen-test and sign my life away that I wouldn’t tell anyone. Chris [Evans] is a good friend and very good at what he does, so I was so happy to see him do it. Maybe now I need to play a villain and fight Chris. That’s what we need to do.
Of course, John Krasinski didn’t end up playing a villain inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but actually portrayed one of Marvel’s most iconic heroes, Reed Richards' Mister Fantastic.Krasinski’s Reed Richards was killed offin Phase 4, which creates the opportunity for him to be recast as a Captain America variant inAvengers: Secret Wars.In the years sinceThe Office, Krasinski has proven his acting chops in dramatic and comedic roles, so he would make a brilliant addition to the MCU.
3Saoirse Ronan as Wanda Maximoff’s Scarlet Witch
The Lovely Bones (2009), Lady Bird (2017), Ammonite (2020)
Although it was never officially confirmed, rumors circulating duringAvengers: Age of Ultron’sproduction suggested that Irish actor Saoirse Ronan was being used as the"prototype"for the character ofWanda Maximoff’s Scarlet Witch. When asked about these rumors in 2013 byThe Mary Sue, Ronan seemed enthusiastic about possibly being cast in the MCU, noting that she’d"love to be in it.“The then-19-year-old actor was passed up for the role, with the more-experienced Elizabeth Olsen taking over, instead, but Ronan could still make her Scarlet Witch dreams come true.
I have heard about [the rumors] and yes, I would. Yeah, of course I would. I love Joss [Whedon] and I love those films, and I love his handle on them and how he portrayed these kinds of superheroes. I think it’s very different from what anyone else has done. So yeah, I’d love to be in it.
SinceAvengers: Age of Ultron’srelease, Saoirse Ronan has become a more seasoned and versatile actor, with roles inBrooklyn, Lady Bird, Mary Queen of ScotsandSee How They Run, among others, proving she’d make a great Scarlet Witch.Wanda Maximoff has been heavily rumored to be returningto the MCU since her death inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.It would be a fun twist if not only Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch returns, but also her variants, creating the perfect opportunity for Saoirse Ronan to debut in the MCU.
Elizabeth Olsen has been rumored to be returning to the MCU in Marvel’s upcomingWandaVisionspinoff’s, 2024’sAgatha All Alongand 2026’sVisionseries, but this is yet to be confirmed.
2Nicolas Cage as Norman Osborn’s Green Goblin
Con Air (1996), Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018), Longlegs (2024)
Nicolas Cage was suiting up in superhero costumes long before the MCU began, most notably as Johnny Blaze’s Ghost Rider in the eponymous 2007 movie and its sequel. Even before that, however, a 2000 report byEntertainment Weeklysuggested that Cage was Marvel legend Stan Lee’s top pick to play Norman Osborn’sGreen Goblin in Sam Raimi’s 2002Spider-Manmovie. The same report pointed to the fact thatCage’s schedule was incredibly tight at the time, which ultimately contributed to Willem Dafoe being given the role, instead.
None other than Nicolas Cage — who once considered starring in aSupermanremake. ”He’d be a great Green Goblin,” says the film’s coexec producer (and comic-book creator) Stan Lee. Cage’s publicist says the actor has been talking to the filmmakers, but his schedule is tighter than Spidey’s bodysuit.
Willem Dafoe reprised the role of Norman Osborn in 2021’sSpider-Man: No Way Home, and Colman Domingo is set to voice a new version of the iconic Marvel villain in the animatedYour Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man. It would be incredible for Nicolas Cage to join this esteemed group of actors to playNorman Osborn in the MCU, especially after voicing, and soon to be starring in live-action as, Spider-Man Noir over at Sony.Avengers: Secret Warswould be the perfect place to see this shocking Norman Osborn variant, and given Cage’s remarkable talent, this would be a sight to behold.
Who Is Spider-Man Noir? Nicolas Cage’s New Live-Action Spider-Man Variant Explained
Nicolas Cage has been confirmed to be reprising the role of Spider-Man Noir, bringing the dark Spider-Man variant into live-action for the first time.
1Tom Cruise as Tony Stark’s Iron Man
Top Gun (1986), Mission: Impossible (1996), Edge Of Tomorrow (2014)
A live-actionIron Manmovie was being planned as early as the 1990s, long before Tony Stark became the first on-screen hero in the MCU. After 20th Century Fox acquired the rights in 1996,Tom Cruise expressed interest in playing the Marvel hero, but this never came to pass. It was revealed in 2023’sMCU: The Reign of Marvel Studiosbook by Joanna Robinson thatCruise eventually turned down Iron Manbecause Fox wasn’t willing to pay his asking fee. Robert Downey Jr. eventually became the perfect Iron Man, but many still want Cruise to appear as the armored Avenger.
Ten years earlier, when the Iron Man rights were at 20th Century Fox, Tom Cruise, then thirty-four, had flirted with the idea of playing Stark… According to [Kevin] Feige, however, Cruise’s asking fee at the time was more than even a profitable studio like Fox was willing to risk on an untested superhero property.
There was a huge amount of speculation that Tom Cruise may have portrayed theSuperior Iron Man of Earth-838inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This didn’t happen, butCruise could still debut in the MCU as an Iron Man variant inAvengers: Secret Wars, as long as Marvel Studios is willing to part with a chunk of cashto secure theMission: Impossible, Top GunandWar of the Worldsstar. Seeing any number of these variants appear inAvengers: Secret Warswould contribute to the MCU’s biggest and most spectacular scenes yet.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Cast
Avengers: Secret Wars is an anticipated installment in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as the finale of The Multiverse Saga. Scheduled for release in December 2027, the film’s plot remains under wraps, fueling curiosity about its role in the expansive Marvel narrative.
