The Marvel Cinematic Universe MCU, is packed with legendary performances, but things could have turned out very differently. Before actors like Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans became household names, many other stars were considered for these iconic roles. Some turned down the chance, others lost out in auditions and a few were even cast before being replaced. Here are 13 actors who were almost part of the MCU but missed their shot.
Tom Cruise as Iron Man
Before Robert Downey Jr. redefined Tony Stark, Tom Cruise was heavily considered for the role. Cruise was interested in playing Iron Man in the early 2000s, but scheduling conflicts and creative differences got in the way. He later admitted that he did not think he could bring the same magic to the character as Downey Jr. Looking back, it is hard to imagine anyone else in the role that launched the MCU.
Emily Blunt as Black Widow
Emily Blunt was the first choice for Natasha Romanoff, but she had to decline due to a contract obligation with Gulliver’s Travels. This opened the door for Scarlett Johansson, who went on to play the role for over a decade. Blunt has since expressed mixed feelings about missing out on the character, though she is still a fan of the MCU. Many fans still hope she will join Marvel in another role someday.
John Krasinski as Captain America
Before Chris Evans became Steve Rogers, John Krasinski was a top contender for the role. He even went through multiple auditions and a screen test but ultimately lost out. Krasinski later joked that seeing Chris Hemsworth as Thor made him realize he wasn’t cut out for superhero roles. Ironically, he later played a Marvel hero, Mr. Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Joaquin Phoenix as Doctor Strange
Marvel initially wanted Joaquin Phoenix to play Stephen Strange, but he was hesitant about signing a long term contract. Phoenix has always preferred stand alone films and committing to multiple MCU projects did not appeal to him. In the end, Benedict Cumberbatch took on the role and Phoenix went on to play the Joker in DC’s Joker. While Phoenix’s Strange would have been interesting, Cumberbatch’s performance has been widely praised.
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Jensen Ackles as Hawkeye
Jensen Ackles was offered the role of Clint Barton, but he had to turn it down due to his commitment to Supernatural. The role then went to Jeremy Renner, who played Hawkeye across multiple films and Disney+ series. Ackles later voiced Red Hood in Batman: Under the Red Hood and played Soldier Boy in The Boys, proving he has superhero chops. If schedules had lined up differently, he might have been part of the Avengers.
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Jason Momoa as Drax the Destroyer
Before Dave Bautista was cast as Drax, Jason Momoa was considered for the role. He turned it down because he felt it was too similar to his past roles and he didn’t want to be typecast as a muscular warrior. Instead, he went on to become Aquaman in the DCEU, which gave him more room to explore a different kind of hero. Bautista, meanwhile, made Drax one of the funniest characters in Guardians of the Galaxy.
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Matt Damon as Daredevil
Marvel Studios wanted Matt Damon to play Daredevil, but he was not convinced at the time. Instead, Ben Affleck took the role in the 2003 Daredevil movie, which was met with mixed reactions. Damon later admitted that he was hesitant because he was not familiar with the director’s vision. Years later, he made a hilarious cameo in Thor: Ragnarok, playing an actor portraying Loki.
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Leonardo DiCaprio as Spider-Man
When Spider-Man was first being developed in the late 1990s, Leonardo DiCaprio was considered for the role of Peter Parker. He turned it down, saying he did not feel ready to play a superhero. His best friend, Tobey Maguire, landed the role instead, launching one of the most beloved superhero trilogies. DiCaprio has yet to join a superhero franchise, preferring dramatic and character driven films.
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Timothée Chalamet as Spider-Man
Years later, Timothée Chalamet auditioned for the role of Spider-Man when Marvel was casting for Captain America: Civil War. He later admitted that he was nervous and completely bombed his audition. The role ultimately went to Tom Holland, who perfectly captured Peter Parker’s youthful charm and wit. Chalamet has since joked that losing the part was a blessing in disguise, as he prefers less CGI heavy roles.
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Glenn Howerton as Star-Lord
Before Chris Pratt was cast, It is Always Sunny in Philadelphia star Glenn Howerton was in the running for Star-Lord. Director James Gunn has even said that if Pratt had not worked out, Howerton would have been his next choice. Pratt ultimately won the role with his mix of humor and action star potential. Still, it is fun to imagine Howerton bringing his comedic edge to Peter Quill.
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Olivia Wilde as Gamora
Olivia Wilde was considered for Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, but she passed on the opportunity. Zoe Saldana ended up bringing the deadly assassin to life, making her a key part of the MCU. Wilde has since focused on directing, proving she is just as talented behind the camera as she is in front of it. If she ever joins the MCU, it might be as a director rather than an actress.
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Liam Hemsworth as Thor
Chris Hemsworth’s younger brother, Liam Hemsworth, was actually a finalist for the role of Thor. In fact, he made it to the final round of auditions before Marvel ultimately chose Chris. Liam has since joked that losing the role to his brother was tough, but he went on to find fame in The Hunger Games franchise. Chris, on the other hand, became one of the MCU’s biggest stars.
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Daniel Craig as Balder the Brave
Daniel Craig was rumored to have been cast as Balder the Brave, a powerful Asgardian warrior, in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, he reportedly backed out due to scheduling conflicts and COVID concerns. The character was ultimately cut from the film, so fans never got to see Craig’s version of the hero. If he ever does join the MCU, it will be interesting to see which role he lands.
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Casting can make or break a movie and these actors could have drastically changed the Marvel universe. While some passed on the opportunity, others missed out due to timing or bad luck. It is hard to imagine anyone but the current actors in these roles, but it is fun to consider what might have been. One thing’s for sure, Marvel always knows how to pick the perfect star for the job.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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