Summary
Not every actor in theMarvel Cinematic Universeended up playing their preferred role, and many have since revealed which character they had always dreamed of playing. The MCU boasts an impressive and star-studded cast that has brought beloved Marvel heroes to life for decades, often fulfilling Marvel readers’ dreams of seeing their favorite superhero brought to life. However, some centralMCU cast membershave explicitly noted that their dream was to play a different character.
Many MCU actors have commented on how much they love playing their characters and how it was a dream come true. Tom Holland is a notable example of an actor who has loved his character ever since he was a young child and was overjoyed to play Spider-Man inthe MCU timeline. Others, like Robert Downey Jr., embodied their character so effectively, that they have been celebrated as delivering the quintessential rendition of the character, appearing in the verybest MCU movies.
Every Upcoming Marvel Movie: Full MCU Phase 6 List (& Beyond)
With Marvel Studios' MCU now dominating the upcoming release slate for Marvel movies, here’s what to expect in the coming years and beyond.
10Donald Glover - Aaron Davis (Spider-Man: Homecoming)
Who He Wanted To Play: Spider-Man
Donald Glover served asthe original inspiration for Miles Morales, the teenage Spider-Man. As such, whenThe Amazing Spider-Manwas in development, Glover actively campaigned to be cast as Morales on social media and in the series,Community. Andrew Garfield was ultimately cast, butDonald Glover’s association with Miles Moraleshas been cemented ever since. As Glover has aged out of the teenage role, it is unlikely that he will ever play Spider-Man in live-action - though he has voiced Miles in theUltimate Spider-Mananimated series.
Glover’s connection to the Spider-Man universe continued when he was cast as Aaron Davis, Miles Morales’s uncle, inSpider-Man: Homecoming. In the film, Davishints at his nephew’s existence, a nod to Miles Morales’s potential future appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This casting choice delighted audiences, acknowledging Glover’s initial campaign and his enduring association with the beloved character.
Spider-Man: Homecoming
Cast
Spider-Man: Homecoming follows Peter Parker after the events of Captain America: Civil War as he navigates high school challenges and battles the emergence of a new villain, the Vulture. With mentorship from Tony Stark, Peter strives to prove himself while balancing his responsibilities as Spider-Man and a student.
9Pom Klementieff - Mantis (Guardians Of The Galaxy, Vol 2)
Who She Wanted To Play: An X-Men
Before Pom Klementieff became widely recognized for her role as Mantis in the MCU, she harbored a different superhero dream: to be one of the X-Men. Kelmentieff first appeared as Mantis in James Gunn’sGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2and wasa mainstay character in the franchise untilGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3concluded several character arcs. Klementieff discussed working with Gunn at the Ace Superhero Comic Con (viaCinema Blend), stating:
“For me it was amazing to work with James Gunn, it was always my dream to be an X-Men or part of a Marvel movie. Then, I saw the first Guardians of the Galaxy, and it became my first Marvel movie ever. Then, I got cast in the second one. I feel so lucky.”
Although she did not become a member of the X-Men, Klementieff’s dream of acting in a Marvel movie certainly did come true. Klementieff’s performance of Mantis was captivating and offereda thrilling and dynamic update on the classic Marvel Comics character. While Klementieff would have flourished as one of Marvel’s mutants, her Mantis was staggeringly entrancing, endearing audiences with her gentle yet formidable presence.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the adventures of Peter Quill and his eclectic crew as they navigate complex family dynamics and revelations about Quill’s mysterious heritage. Set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the film explores themes of family and identity against a backdrop of intergalactic adventure.
8Ben Mendelsohn - Talos (Captain Marvel)
Who He Wanted To Play: Doctor Doom
Following his character’s death in the MCU Phase 5,Ben Mendelsohn desperately wants to be recast as Doctor Doom. Mendelsohn portrayed the Skrull Talos, who was first introduced inCaptain Marveland then appeared throughoutSecret Invasion.At the end of the miniseries, Talos was killed,prompting Mendelsohn to lobby for the iconic Marvel villain, Victor von Doom.
In several interviews after completing Talos’s arc in the MCU, Ben Mendelsohn has been emphatic about his desire to play Doctor Doom. Mendelsohn has spoken at length about his interest in Doom’s complex and tragic motivations and evenrailed against the Fantastic Four in true supervillain fashion. While perhaps not as physically intimidating as one might expect for the MCU’s Doctor Doom, Mendellsohn’s ability to portray nuanced and damaged characters would serve him well in portraying the highly anticipated villain.
7Wesley Snipes - Blade (Blade Trilogy)
Who He Wanted to Play: Black Panther
Before Wesley Snipes became synonymous with the character Blade, he had his sights set on playing Black Panther. In the early 1990s,Snipes began pushing for aBlack Panthermovie, noting his desire to explore the hero’s rich cultural heritage and history as a black superhero. Despite his efforts, various obstacles, including script issues and technological limitations, stalledWesley Snipe’sBlack Pantherproject.
However, Snipes’ ambition to bring a black superhero to the big screen did not go unfulfilled. In 1998, he was cast as Blade, Marvel’s half-vampire hero.Bladebecameone of the most influential comic book movies ever, spawning two sequels and establishing several essential superhero movie tropes. While the MCU is rebooting the character, Wesley Snipe’s performance as Blade was so quintessential thatSnipe’s Blade is rumored to be joining the MCUas an older variant of the character.
Blade
Blade is a 1998 film featuring Wesley Snipes as the titular character, who is a half-vampire, half-human vampire hunter. The story revolves around Blade’s mission to protect humanity from a secret vampire society that threatens to destroy the world.
6Chris Evans - Captain America (Captain America: The First Avenger)
Chris Evans was celebrated for his iconic portrayal of Captain America in the MCU, embodying the character’s valor, integrity, and resilience. However,Evans’ childhood hero wasn’t the famed first Avenger, but rather Spider-Man. After leaving the mighty cinematic franchise,Evans discussed his love for Marvel’s Spider-Manand noted that he would have loved to play Peter Parker in aSpider-Manmovie.
Chris Evans revealed in an interview that he was keen to play Spider-Man’s wall-crawling and urban acrobatics – presumably during Tobey Maguire’s era. However, Evans had significant reservations about the Spider-Man suit. Evans is claustrophobic and wasconcerned about wearing the mask and the form-fitting, full-body costumethat the role requires. While he didn’t get to play his childhood hero, Evans noted that he was very satisfied playing Captain America, and even preferred his costume.
Captain America: The First Avenger
Captain America: The First Avenger follows Steve Rogers, a frail man from Brooklyn transformed into the super-soldier Captain America during World War II. As he aids the war effort, Rogers confronts Red Skull, who seeks world domination through a powerful device for a nefarious organization.
5Anthony Mackie - Sam Wilson (Captain America: The Winter Soldier)
Anthony Mackie has revealed that before being cast as Sam Wilson in the MCU, he was actively trying to play the franchise’s Black Panther. In an interview withInverse, Mackie discussed howfervently he petitioned Marvel to produce aBlack Panthermovie, with him in the lead role. Mackie even claimed to have written letters to Marvel producers requesting the movie and the role.
Marvel ultimately decided that Mackie was better suited to play the MCU’s Sam Wilson, aka Falcon, forCaptain America: The Winter Soldier.This role has since flourished into one of the franchise’s main characters, appearing in eachAvengersmovie and finally becoming the next Captain America in theMCU’sCaptain America: Brave New World.As one of the most prevalent cast members, andboasting one of the most significant character arcs, it would seem Marvel made the correct decision.
4John Krasinski - Mr Fantastic (Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness)
Who He Wanted To Play: Captain America
John Krasinski harbored ambitions of playing Captain America in the MCU, even making the shortlist alongside Chris Evans. During the casting process forCaptain America: The First Avenger, Krasinski auditioned andeven tried on the iconic suit. The prospect of embodying the quintessential American hero was thrilling for him. However, despite his initial enthusiasm, Krasinski ultimately decided not to pursue the role further, frequently joking that he wasintimidated by Chris Hemsworth’s enormous physique.
Krasinski’s Marvel journey, however, did not end there. In 2022, he made a surprising and much-celebrated appearance as a variant of Mister Fantastic, the leader of the Fantastic Four, inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This cameo delighted audiences who haverepeatedly voted for Krasinski as the dream casting for Reed Richards. Krasinski will not be reprising the role in the MCU’sThe Fantastic Fourbut has stated he is open to returning to the franchise in the future.
Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness follows Doctor Strange as he navigates diverse and perilous alternate realities in the Multiverse with the aid of mystical allies. Directed by Sam Raimi, this installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduces a mysterious new adversary.
3Angela Bassett - Queen Ramonda (Black Panther)
Who She Wanted To Play: Storm
In the 1980s, acclaimed actress Angela Bassett was a top contender to play Storm in a plannedX-Menmovie by director James Cameron. This project, however, was ultimately shelved. Bassett’s commanding presence and powerful deliverywould have made her an ideal fit for Storm, capturing the grandeur and strength reminiscent of the character’s portrayal inX-Men: The Animated Series. Her ability to embody both authority and empathy would have brought the weather-controlling mutant to life very effectively.
Decades later, Bassett joined the MCU as Queen Ramonda inBlack Panther. Her portrayal of the Wakandan queen was both regal and deeply emotive, earning her widespread acclaim. In 2022, Bassett’s performancein Black Panther: Wakanda Forevergarnered her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first actor to receive an Oscar nod for a role in a Marvel film.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever explores the efforts of Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje as they strive to safeguard Wakanda from external threats following King T’Challa’s passing. Collaborating with allies like War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross, they seek to shape the nation’s future.
2Stan Lee - Watcher Informant (Iron Man)
Who He Wanted To Play: J. Jonah Jameson
Stan Lee, the legendary co-creator of many iconic Marvel characters, made memorable cameo appearances in nearly every Marvel film until his passing. Marvel Studios later confirmed a fan theory thatLee portrayed an informant for the Watchers, a race of cosmic beings who observe and record significant events across the universe. This clever continuity linkedStan Lee’s diverse cameosinto a cohesive narrative thread.
Before his iconic run of Marvel cameos,Stan Lee had ambitions to play J. Jonah Jameson, the irascible editor of the Daily Bugle, in a live-actionSpider-Manmovie.Lee actively lobbied for the role, believing his energetic and outspoken persona suited Jameson perfectly. However, by the time Sam Raimi’sSpider-Manwas released in 2002, Lee was too old for the part that went to J. K. Simmons, but Lee did appear in one of his trademark cameos.
Iron Man
Iron Man is the first film in the long-running Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Tony Stark, who becomes Iron Man after he is kidnapped and discovers terrorists are using weapons developed by Stark Industries. Gwyneth Paltrow stars as Tony’s love interest Pepper Potts alongside Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan and Jeff Bridges as the villainous Obadiah Stane.
1Giancarlo Esposito - Unknown (Captain America: Brave New World)
Who He Wanted To Play: Professor Xavier
Giancarlo Esposito, known for his captivating performances inBreaking BadandThe Mandalorian, has been cast as avillain inCaptain America: Brave New World. This announcement has generated excitement among audiences eager to seeEsposito’s signature intensity and charismain the MCU. Esposito’s ability to portray complex and menacing characters makes him a perfect addition to the MCU’s roster of villains, promising a memorable performance.
Interestingly, Esposito had previously expressed a strong desire toplay the X-Men’s Professor Charles Xavier, noting that he was keen to play a hero. He envisioned bringing a new dimension to the iconic role, emphasizing Xavier’s intellect and moral strength, andsuggesting that Marvel ditch the mutant’s famed wheelchair. Esposito discussed the role in an interview onThe Tonight Show, where he showed enthusiasm for bringing the famed mutant leader to life in theMCU’s future.
Captain America: Brave New World
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titledNew World Order)marks Sam Wilson’s first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk’s former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.After meeting President Thaddeus Ross, Sam is caught in a global crisis. He must expose the mastermind behind a sinister plot before the world descends into turmoil. Captain America: Brave New World marks the big-screen debut of Sam Wilson as Captain America, and Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut, replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
