When it comes to superhero film franchises, there’s no denying that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is the best. It has changed the course of how superhero films are made — it even changed the way other movies are structured, making it both regarded and controversial. As MCU takes over the box office, we have accustomed ourselves to the same faces, film after film! Recurring roles and characters, crossovers, and even joint films aren’t new to the franchise, much to fans' delight, of course! We’ve already gotten ourselves used to seeing Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man and Chris Evans as Captain America.
Many of these roles and their actors have almost become one, and it’s simply impossible to imagine the role with someone else. What if we tell you that we almost never had RDJ and Evans as franchise leads? Take a look at these major MCU roles that almost went to different actors.
10 Iron Man - Tom Cruise and Hugh Jackman
Iron Man was a pivotal role in all of MCU. After all, his titular film marked the beginning of the MCU as we know it today. Casting Robert Downey Jr. became quite controversial considering his past. This resulted in numerous A-listers getting offers for the role. Among those is Tom Cruise. However, Cruise turned the offer down. According to the actor, playing Iron Man doesn’t feel right for him. Due to this, rumors that Cruise will be playing Iron Man in the Multiverse became rampant among fans.
Aside from Cruise, Hugh Jackman was also considered for the role. However, aside from the MCU, another successful Marvel franchise keeps Jackman from taking on the role. Having played Wolverine in X-Men for a long time, it may be quite a whiplash for Marvel fans to see him play Tony Stark. After all, with the introduction of multiverse and crossovers in past movies, there will always be a possibility of Wolverine and Iron Man crossing paths.
Related: 11 Actors Who Were Almost Cast in Major MCU Roles
9 Thor - Charlie Hunnam and Tom Hiddleston
Thor has grown to become one of the most beloved Avengers from the MCU. While Chris Hemsworth did a splendid job as the hammer-wielding hero, there have been other actors who tried their hand at earning the role. One of those is Charlie Hunnam. Hunnam shares that he auditioned for the role and had a couple of back-and-forths with Marvel. However, it didn’t come to fruition.
Aside from him, MCU’s very own Tom Hiddleston also tried to covet the role. We all know him now as the trickster Loki, but his casting story is definitely one for the book. He originally auditioned to play the God of Thunder, but they found him more suitable for its tricky little brother, the god of mischief. It’s safe to say that this casting is incredibly the smartest decision yet. The brothers’ chemistry are some of the best parts in the MCU.
8 Captain America - John Krasinski
Captain America, being the first Avenger, made him one of the most prominent roles in the franchise. Chris Evans definitely brought life to the character, making him well-loved across the world. However, he wasn’t the only one on the lineup to play the hero. John Krasinski was also a famous front-runner for the role.
While we never really got Krasinski’s Cap, we definitely enjoyed his cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In the movie, he played the character of Fantastic Four leader Reed Richards. There is no confirmation if Krasinski will reprise the role for a new Fantastic Four movie, but we definitely loved his performance in Multiverse of Madness.
7 Black Widow - Emily Blunt
Krasinski isn’t the only one in his family who was in the running for an MCU role. His wife, Emily Blunt, was also a top choice to play Black Widow. At the time of casting, Blunt was tied with the contract for Gulliver’s Travels, making it impossible for her to take on the role of spy Natasha Romanoff.
Blunt expressed heartbreak passing on the opportunity like that. On the bright side, we get Scarlet Johanson’s incredible portrayal of the role — an icon and inspiration to many women looking up to the spy.
Related: Black Widow: 6 Actresses Almost Cast as Natasha Romanoff
6 Hawkeye - Jensen Ackles
-in-Big-Sky.jpg "10 Major MCU Roles That Almost Went to Different Actors (5)")
There’s no denying that Jeremy Renner played Hawkeye perfectly. He’s a doting father, a badass archer, and an amazing friend. The life Renner brought into the role is irreplaceable. However, before he got cast to play the role, Jensen Ackles was offered to play the part. There were rumors that Ackles also auditioned for the role of Captain America, but later debunked by the actor himself. Marvel execs loved his performance and thought he would be a great fit for Hawkeye.
However, due to his TV commitment as Dean Winchester in Supernatural, he had to pass. Much later, he gets his own super role as Soldier Boy in the hit series The Boys. He plays a foul-mouthed hero in the third season.
Related: 25 MCU Actors' Best Performances Before Marvel
5 Doctor Strange - Joaquin Phoenix
Doctor Strange is one of the most compelling characters in the MCU. His journey to becoming a sorcerer was no joke, and with the role comes emotional baggage and a very tragic backstory. Marvel considered a lot of actors who could send the message across. While we’re blessed with Benedict Cumberbatch’s portrayal, producers also thought that Joaquin Phoenix was a great fit.
And while this could be true, and it would have been great to see Phoenix play the role, the multiverse would have shifted with such change. Lucky for us, we got Phoenix to play Joker in a titular film that rocked the box office. Only time can indeed tell!
4 Gamora - Olivia Wilde and Adrianne Palicki
Zoe Saldaña flawlessly portrayed Gamora. First seen in Guardians of the Galaxy, the green-skinned daughter of Thanos became an instant icon for strong women. However, there have been rumors going around that Saldaña wasn’t the only person considered for the role. House star Olivia Wilde was also offered, however, no solid sources say why the actress turned it down. While the actress has the look nailed down, perhaps, nothing can beat Saldaña’s effortless look. Not to mention, Wilde later directs and acts in Don’t Worry Darling, a massive box office hit starring Chris Pine, Harry Styles, and Florence Pugh.
Aside from Wilde, there are rumors that Adrianne Palicki was also considered for the role. While she didn’t get Gamora’s role, we can still see Palicki in Joss Whedon’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D as Agent Bobbi Morse — just as badass and just as mesmerizing!
3 Star-Lord - Glenn Howerton
.jpg "10 Major MCU Roles That Almost Went to Different Actors (8)")
Star-Lord, or Peter Quill, is unmatched when it comes to his fun-loving personality. His quips and incredible sense of humor make him the perfect leader for the Guardians of the Galaxy. Not to mention, his unwavering loyalty to his team makes him just as lovable. Chris Pratt gave the character its own charm with his portrayal of the role. However, Director James Gunn reveals that the second choice for the role was Glenn Howerton. Howerton is known for his role as Dennis Reynolds in the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Aside from those, however, there are a bunch of actors considered for the role, such as James Marsden. Not a stranger to Marvel, Marsden played Cyclops in the X-Men movies. In more surprising news, Lee Pace and Eddie Redmayne also appear on the list.
2 Rocket Raccoon - Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey
Rocket Raccoon (or Ratchet as Tony would call him) easily won the hearts of Marvel fans for his strong personality. The raccoon is funny, smart, and incredibly caring, especially to Groot, whom he treats like a son. Bradley Cooper plays the role, and not a lot of people can see the actor behind the voice, but Cooper quietly literally gave life to this character. However, there are a bunch of actors whose voices were considered for the role. One of those is no other than Adam Sandler. There is a clever idea behind this, as Sandler is known for his character voices so iconic, you can almost pick out a movie from the voice he makes.
Aside from Sandler, prolific comedian, Jim Carrey was also considered for the role. There are many reasons why anyone would consider Carrey. Just like Sandler, his voice is just as iconic and as versatile as any other.
1 Shuri - Dominique Thorne
Shuri became a pivotal role in the MCU, especially in the Black Panther movies. As the sister of T’Chala, Shuri plays the mischievous but incredible scientist who made Black Panther the cool superhero that he is. She made his suit, encouraged him to fight for his role, and in Wakanda Forever — spoiler alert — became the Black Panther herself. With how the role developed to what it is today, it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing the role aside from Letitia Wright.
Dominique Thorne, who also stars in Ironheart in Disney+ auditioned for the role as well. Producers loved her passion, so while they didn’t give her the role she always wanted, she came back in Wakanda Forever as Riri Williams. Riri is just as smart and just as cool as Shuri, albeit in need of some more guidance. We couldn’t ask for a better casting than this!
