Avengers: Secret Wars
Several gamey - visibility actors could in conclusion connect theMCUin office they in the beginning audition or buttonhole for , asAvengers : Secret Warsis await to research the full potential of Marvel ’s multiverse . In late years , superhero pic have become more mainstream and consent than ever before , meaning more and more gamy - profile stars want role in these franchises . For the MCU , this has enabled the cellular inclusion of incredible talents such as Robert Downey Jr. , Samuel L. Jackson , Cate Blanchett and Scarlett Johansson , but some have n’t been so lucky .
Not every actor who wants to be cast in the MCU can be . Over the old age , this has created a vast list ofstars who ’ve auditioned for iconic Marvel character , had sports fan support to be project in the MCU , or got very cheeseparing to receiving the part , only to be replaced by someone else . While this is disappointing , they now have the opportunity to appear in their long - wanted MCU function , as2027 ’s upcomingAvengers : Secret Warsis require to have many multiversal variants , let these alternate casting choices to be brought to life history .
While casting decisions for the MCU ’s Avengers are widely celebrated , the route to getting the actors on board was n’t always a elementary appendage .
Custom Image by Kai Young
10Tom Hiddleston as Thor
Thor (2011), Kong: Skull Island (2017), The Essex Serpent (2022)
Of course , Tom Hiddleston did get present a function in the MCU , but it was not the role he in the beginning audition for ahead of his casting in 2011’sThor . While he was finally barf as the God of Mischief , Loki , Hiddleston actually try out for the titulary God of Thunder himself , a part that finally went to Chris Hemsworth . This casting turned out to be complete for both function , so no harm done , but it would be brilliant to seeTom Hiddleston repay to the MCUinAvengers : Secret Warsas an alternate version of Thor .
In Marvel Comics’Secret Wars , the multiversalThor Corps play a cardinal part . It would be marvelous to see Tom Hiddleston ’s Thor as a extremity of this interdimensional law force inAvengers : Secret Wars , perhaps alongside some of the weirdest and wackiest versions of Thor from Marvel Comics . This would evidently be a wildly unlike use 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 discover more about why he did n’t become theMCU ’s Doctor Strange , leaving the office for Benedict Cumberbatch to claim , rather . Though he does n’t go into too much particular , Phoenix suggests that"all party were satisfied"with how things turn out . Doctor Strange has been go down up as a key figure in the Multiverse Saga , and , so far , all his stochastic variable have been played by Cumberbatch , but it would be great to see Phoenix sham the role inAvengers : Secret Wars .
I think they make some great , fun movies . There ’s nothing haywire … I ’m not a fking , like , cinephile . I ’m not a snob , and I ’m totally fine with … I bask those movies sometimes , and I retrieve they keep the fking industry going in some way , so I do n’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 recall everybody was really felicitous with how things turned out . All company were satisfied .
Joaquin Phoenix is one of the most highly - acclaim actors of his generation . Roles inGladiator , Inherent Vice , Her , take the air the dividing line , The MasterandNapoleonhave made him one of the most coveted names in Hollywood . Phoenix also stars as the titularArthur Fleck inJoker , accommodate the iconic DC Comics villain , so it ’s possible he could make the move to the MCU to look as a potent Doctor Strange variant . Phoenix sure as shooting has the sieve presence , command and confidence to toy Doctor Strange perfectly .
Avengers: Secret Wars is the sixth Avengers film and takes place during Phase Six of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe.
Former Marvel lawyer Paul Sarker opens up about how Joaquin Phoenix ’s Doctor Strange rejection touch on the MCU ’s hiring appendage .
8Amanda Seyfried as Gamora
Mamma Mia! (2008), Les Misérables (2012), You Should Have Left (2020)
Zoe Saldaña became known in the MCU for limn the green daughter of Thanos , Gamora , in James Gunn’sGuardians of the Galaxyfranchise , but this role almost give out toMamma Mia!andLes Misérablesstar Amanda Seyfried , alternatively . In a 2020 interview withComicbook.com , Seyfried revealed the real understanding she turn down the part of Gamora . “I do n’t wanna be green . It ’s just so much work,“she note , butthe popularity of the Guardians of the Galaxy , Gamora herself and the MCU as a whole may have change her creative thinker in the years since .
I think about it often . I ’m not really a Marvel picture watcher , which is , I remember , why I was just like , " Ah , I do n’t wanna be gullible . It ’s just so much oeuvre . " I remember Jennifer Lawrence talking about once , how long it took her to get grim . And I was like , " That seems like snake pit on earth , " because then you get to set , and you ’re only there for a duad hours , and then you have to take everything off . And that was literally the ground .
Many player have kvetch about longsighted stint in the make - up chair , so this reasoning form sense . Even so , it would be brilliant to see Amanda Seyfried research Gamora at least once inAvengers : Secret Wars , especially look at her experience in dramatic and comedic roles . Projects such asYou Should Have Left , Mank , PanandThe Crowded Room , which go out her perform opposite MCU veteran Tom Holland , have proven that she ’d be unbelievable 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 give the role ofDrax the Destroyer in 2014’sGuardians of the Galaxy , Jason Momoa was extend the part , and even try out alongside Chris Pratt , but turned it down . In a 2014 interview withZap2it(viaIGN),Momoa revealed that Drax was too similar to his previous role , and he need to forefend being typecast . Momoa imagined Drax to be not much more than a grunting wolf , but Bautista has try out the role can be so much more , so perhaps Momoa may have a variety of eye .
I recollect it ’s perfectly cast . Dave [ Bautista ] is perfect for that role , for Drax . It did n’t really fit in my clock time because I ’ve done so many things where I do n’t say much , and I ’m gloss up , and I have my shirt off again . I made a witting pick to turn down some movies that were action - based to directRoad to Paloma , sopeople could see that side . I need my children to see their father happy . It ’s not that it ’s not a good function , it just was n’t the right-hand affair . I was onStargate : Atlantisfor four years playing a standardized lineament called Ronon , who was an alien who did n’t say much and grunt . I ’ve been there and done that , whether people have seen it or not . You want to stretch along .
Jason Momoa ’s show as Drax the Destroyer inAvengers : Secret Warsmay be more probable now that his clip with DC has come to an end . Momoa portrayedArthur Curry ’s Aquamanin six DCEU lineament photographic film , and made a cameo visual aspect inPeacemakerseason 1 , but the franchise ’s reboot has left his DC time to come unsettled . Since his calling as Aquaman is over , and Dave Bautista has sidetrack the MCU , it seems very possible that Jason Momoa could in reality fetch his version of Drax into the MCU .
Jason Momoa has been reflect to be recast as Lobo in the newly - bring up DC Universe , though this has n’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 in the first place planned for the Wasp to appear in 2012’sThe Avengers . This edition of the hero would have been diddle by Zooey Deschanel ( viaSlashFilm ) . At the metre , it was unclear if Scarlett Johansson could reprise her part of Natasha Romanoff ’s Black Widow due to scheduling battle , so the Wasp was considered , years before Evangeline Lilly would land the character to spirit 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 retreat from playing has go forth the hero ’s MCU fate unsealed . PerhapsElf , New Girland500 Days of Summerstar Zooey Deschanel could replace her , execute Whedon ’s original cast . avenger : Secret Warswould be the sodding place to debutZooey Deschanel ’s Wasp variant .
Evangeline Lilly announces her plans to mistreat aside from act , think of the futurity 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)
magnificently , British actor Emily Blunt was n’t able to seem asNatasha Romanoff ’s Black Widowin 2010’sIron Man 2because of her contractual obligation to appear in the far - less - successfulGulliver ’s change of location . Blunt note in 2023 on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast ( viaDeadline)that"the in force female child got it,“praising Scarlett Johansson ’s long - running performance as Black Widow . More lately , Blunt has also claimed that not seem in a superhero picture is a"badge of honor"for her(viaJosh Horowitz ) .
While this might be the fount , the fact that herThe Fall Guyco - headliner Ryan Gosling has been so open about wanting to seem asGhost Rider in the MCU , and the fact that Blunt ’s own husband , John Krasinski , look in Phase 4 as a Mister Fantastic variant , means she may shift her judgement . Blunt was fan - cast of characters as Sue Storm opposite Krasinski , but this role ultimately start to Vanessa Kirby . rather , Emily Blunt would be vivid remove on her original possible MCU role , bringing Black Widow back to the MCU after Scarlett Johansson ’s going .
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 married man was almostSteve Rogers ' Captain Americain the MCU ’s Phase 1 . It ’s difficult to imagineThe Office’sJim Halpert as Captain America , butJohn Krasinski stimulate very far in the casting process , even acquire the chance to wear the courtship and blind - test for the purpose , which he eventually lose to Chris Evans . Krasinski revealed he wanted to be in a Marvel motion picture toDigital Spyin 2016 , and while his dream arrive straight in 2022 , he could take on someone whole new inAvengers : Secret Wars .
I ’ll take a Marvel movie , any meter ! I fuck watching them , so I ’d love to be a part of it. TheCaptain Americathing was uproarious … I had so much play doing it and got to wear the suit and screen - test and sign my life away that I would n’t secernate anyone. Chris [ Evans ] is a respectable Quaker and very good at what he does , so I was so happy to see him do it. Maybe now I necessitate to play a scoundrel and defend Chris. That ’s what we need to do .
Of course , John Krasinski did n’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 age sinceThe Office , Krasinski has prove his roleplay chops in dramatic and comedic part , so he would make a smart as a whip 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 confirm , hearsay circulating duringAvengers : Age of Ultron’sproduction propose that Irish actor Saoirse Ronan was being used as the"prototype"for the grapheme ofWanda Maximoff ’s Scarlet Witch . When ask about these rumor 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 take 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 lie with those motion-picture show , and I love his grip on them and how he portrayed these kinds of superheroes . I suppose 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 veteran and various histrion , with roles inBrooklyn , Lady Bird , Mary Queen of ScotsandSee How They Run , among others , proving she ’d make a keen Scarlet Witch . Wanda Maximoff has been heavily rumored to be returningto the MCU since her demise inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness . It would be a fun crook if not only Elizabeth Olsen ’s Scarlet Witch returns , but also her variant , creating the complete 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 accommodate up in superhero costumes long before the MCU begin , most notably as Johnny Blaze ’s Ghost Rider in the eponymous 2007 moving picture 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 theme pointed to the fact thatCage ’s agenda was fabulously soaked at the time , which ultimately contributed to Willem Dafoe being give the role , instead .
None other than Nicolas Cage — who once considered star in aSupermanremake . ” He ’d be a great Green Goblin , ” says the motion-picture show ’s coexec producer ( and comic - Good Book Godhead ) Stan Lee . batting cage ’s publicist enunciate the actor has been talking to the filmmakers , but his schedule is stiff than Spidey ’s bodysuit .
Willem Dafoe recapitulate the role of Norman Osborn in 2021’sSpider - military personnel : 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 unbelievable for Nicolas Cage to conjoin this honored mathematical group of worker to playNorman Osborn in the MCU , especially after voicing , and before long to be starring in live - action as , Spider - Man Noir over at Sony . avenger : Secret Warswould be the perfect position to see this disgraceful Norman Osborn variant , and given Cage ’s singular natural endowment , this would be a sight to behold .
Nicolas Cage has been reassert to be repeat the theatrical role of Spider - Man Noir , bringing the dark Spider - Man version into live - military action for the first prison term .
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 betimes as the 1990s , long before Tony Stark became the first on - screenland hero in the MCU . After 20th Century Fox acquired the rights in 1996,Tom Cruise express interest in playing the Marvel hero , but this never come to pass . It was revealed in 2023’sMCU : The Reign of Marvel Studiosbook by Joanna Robinson thatCruise eventually turned down Iron Manbecause Fox was n’t willing to pay his request fee . Robert Downey Jr. finally became the complete Iron Man , but many still require Cruise to appear as the armored Avenger .
Ten year earlier , when the Iron Man right wing were at 20th Century Fox , Tom Cruise , then thirty - four , had flirted with the idea of playing Stark … fit in to [ Kevin ] Feige , however , Cruise ’s asking fee at the time was more than even a profitable studio like Fox was willing to lay on the line on an untested superhero belongings .
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 did n’t fall out , butCruise could still debut in the MCU as an Iron Man variant inAvengers : Secret Wars , as long as Marvel Studios is unforced 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 conduce to the MCU ’s self-aggrandizing and most striking scenes yet .
Cast
retaliator : Secret Wars is the sixth Avengers film and takes place during Phase Six of Marvel ’s Cinematic Universe .
Upcoming MCU Movies
