One of the hardest parts to do when casting a comic book movie is finding the right actors to play characters that have, in some cases, existed for over half a century. You have to find someone who looks the part and can act like it too. Then that person, for the most part, has to be accepted by a very rabid fan base. Gone are the days where actors like Jack Black are being grossly miscast as Green Lantern (thank the internet backlash for quelling that nonsense). Very rarely does the fan community disagree with a casting, only to come around on it after seeing a trailer or two, or, of course, the film itself (Michael Keaton as Batman).
Thankfully for the Casting Directors of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it’s MCU-adjacent films over the years, fans haven’t bemoaned too many casting choices. That doesn’t mean casting decisions weren’t made and remade. These are franchises, you can’t keep the same cast forever (yes there will be a day where Robert Downey Jr. is no longer Iron Man). Marvel has recast several characters over the past thirty-some-odd years. There was a time where Dolph Lundgren was Frank Castle!
Some casting decisions are better than others. Here are 15 MCU Recastings Better Than What We Got (And 10 That Didn’t Work At All).
Better: Charlie Cox (Daredevil)
Ben Affleck’s Daredevil was mired in a lot of bad. First and foremost, trying to shoehorn about a trilogy’s worth of story into an hour and 43 minutes. Affleck wasn’t too terrible in the role, but he wasn’t very memorable either. Sadly, the role wasn’t at a good time in Affleck’s career and it would take 12 years to properly reboot the character.
Charlie Cox’s portrayal of the Devil Of Hell’s Kitchen is spectacular. He plays heartbroken hero and cold-blooded vigilante often in the same scene. The finale in season three gave way to what would’ve been a new direction for the fourth season, but the end of the Disney/Netflix partnership put an end to Charlie Cox as Marvel’s most underrated hero.
Better: Olivia Munn (X-Men: Apocalypse)
For anyone who endured X-Men: The Last Stand, then you’ll remember seeing a whole ‘lotta mutants just standing around. Some did nothing, others showed off a quick display of powers. Psy-locke, played by Mei Melancon, was among the blink-and-you’ll-miss-them mutants.
Her performance can’t even be graded it was so minuscule. But when gaming geek goddess Olivia Munn was cast to play Psylocke in Apocalypse, classic uniform and all, plenty of fans rejoiced at the idea and Munn’s performance.
Didn’t Work: Ray Stevenson (Punisher: Warzone)
Out of all of the heroes of the Marvel Universe, there have been more Punisher reboots than a lot of characters. That’s because the story of Frank Castle is a tough nut to crack. How do you get audiences to sympathize with the man after he avenges his family?
One thing you don’t do is cast Ray Stevenson in a reboot of the franchise, Punisher: Warzone. Every other Punisher before and after Stevenson at least had some sense of compassion. But Stevenson plays the role with less compassion than a Terminator.
Better: Liev Schreiber (X-Men Origins: Wolverine)
We met the villain Sabretooth in the first X–Men adventure. Played by former wrestler, Tyler Mane, he certainly looked the part; but there wasn’t enough time to delve into the backstory between him and Logan. But when X–Men Origins: Wolverine was gearing up in pre-production, naturally Mane wanted his fangs back.
But while the Rock, John Cena, and Batista have been great in movies, not all wrestlers make for good actors. Mane was out (and never in consideration) and Jackman pushed for his friend, Liev Schreiber to take the part. In a lackluster film, Schreiber’s Sabretooth was a bright spot and one that we’ll hopefully see again one day.
Didn’t Work: Dane Dehaan (The Amazing Spiderman)
Rebooting Spider-Man wasn’t as easy as some might think it would’ve been. Under Sam Raimi’s direction, for the most part, the original Spidey trilogy set a new standard in what superhero movies could be.
One of the reasons that Marc Webb’s “dualogy” didn’t work as well was Dane DeHaan’s portrayal of the Green Goblin was nowhere near as memorable as James Franco’s. DeHaan came off like a whiny brat while Franco seemed much more like a slimeball trying to avenge his father’s demise.
Better: Tom Hardy (Venom)
While fans are still a little divided on whether or not Venom was a good movie, most can all agree that it was more enjoyable than Spider-Man 3. Even more agreeable is that Tom Hardy was a way better Venom than Topher Grace could ever have hoped to be. Besides looking far more imposing than Grace ever could, Hardy cared about his performance.
Not to say that Grace didn’t. But in the years since, it’s been reported that Sam Raimi didn’t have a lot of vested interest in doing Venom but Sony kind of forced his hand, leaving him no choice. But with a director’s heart not necessarily into a character, his direction of what Grace should do might not have been all it could’ve been.
Better: Mark Ruffalo (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
2008’s The Incredible Hulk featured Edward Norton as Bruce Banner. Norton did not do a bad job at all. Despite some fans forgetting this movie exists, Incredible Hulk is one of the better MCU movies. Norton’s propensity to try and take over whatever film he is a part of is great for his career, but not necessarily the overarching MCU as a whole.
Disney needed a slew of actors who were willing to play nice with one another and their directors. Norton is notorious for not doing so. Hence, Mark Ruffalo jumping into the Green Goliath’s shoes.
Didn’t Work: Tye Sheridan (X-Men Apocalypse)
To be fair, compared to many other X–Men, some of which were introduced in the movies, are all a lot more colorful and charismatic than Cyclops. But that doesn’t mean that he is a wooden character. James Marsden didn’t get a lot of moments to shine, but he definitely wasn’t wooden.
Tye Sheridan on the other hand not only didn’t get a lot of scenes showcasing his talents, but when did get them; he didn’t do a whole lot to show that he even wanted to be a part of this franchise. Maybe he was too busy focused on Ready Player One, which would be a respectable reason. He has one more X–movie to show that he could be a memorable Cyke.
Better: Don Cheadle (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
When Iron Man cast Terrence Howard as Tony’s best friend James Rhodes, he had recently come off an Oscar nomination for Hustle And Flow. He not only came with a bigger salary requirement but the biggest one of the cast at that time. Instead of biding his time and waiting for a moment to get more money, he tried to get even more for the sequel.
Disney said, “no thanks” and recast the role. Don Cheadle, who has proven to be an incredible actor no matter the role took to Rhodey like a duck takes to quacking. Like the ensemble Oceans movies, Cheadle constantly finds a way to shine.
Didn’t Work: Jennifer Lawrence (X-Men First Class)
Jennifer Lawrence has been dazzling filmgoers since her turn in Winter’s Bone. She has become the It–Girl of her generation. But her turn as Mystique is nowhere near what Rebecca Romijn did with the blue-skinned siren.
While we were seeing Raven at two different points in the character’s life. But you’d be hard–pressed to believe that JLaw’s Mystique grows into Rebecca Romjin’s, and the older lady’s performance is just better than a young adult preening around shouting “mutant and proud.”
Better: Samuel L. Jackson (Marvel Cinematic Universe)
Nick Fury was created in 1963. David Hasselhoff was born in 1952, so it was mere coincidence that the future star of the Fox television movie, Nick Fury: Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D. looked just like his comic book counterpart.
However, when Ultimate Nick Fury was created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Allred in 2001, he was patterned exactly after Samuel L. Jackson. If he wasn’t cast in the role that has been written for him in mind for nearly a decade before he played it, that would have been a huge weakness in the growing MCU.
Better: Zachary Levi (Thor)
Fandral The Dashing is part of the Asgardian adventures, The Warriors Three. Zachary Levi was originally cast to play the part in Thor. But thanks to his commitments to Chuck, he was unable to take the part. Josh Dallas (Once Upon A Time) took the role instead.
By the time The Dark World came around, Chuck was done, Once was rolling along, so Dallas had to be the one to give up the mantle. Levi picked it back up and despite it being a supporting role and a cameo in the last two Thor movies, Levi and his geek cred had a memorable performance.
Didn’t Work: Marisa Tomei (Spiderman: Homecoming)
Hollywood is really a young person’s town. How else do you explain casting a person barely into her fifties who still doesn’t look a day over 30 being cast to Peter Parker’s beloved dear old Aunt May? Although any presence from George Costanza’s dream girl is a welcome one.
It’s obviously meant to be a different take on a decades-long interpretation of the character. Strangely enough, Aunt May has been played by a 56-year-old woman before (actress Jean Marie “Jeff” Donnell played her in the 1977 TV movie).
Better: Tom Holland (Spiderman: Homecoming)
Speaking of ol’ webhead and Spiderman: Homecoming, Tom Holland is the best Spiderman ever. Hands down. No argument otherwise. He’s better than voice actors like Christopher Daniel Barnes. He’s better than Andrew Garfield, and yes, he’s better than Tobey Maguire.
He’s a believable high school kid. He never shuts up (like Spidey) and always has some sort of quip to deliver (like Spidey) and watching an actor you know is having the time of his life playing a role makes Holland’s take even more infectious.
Didn’t Work: James McAvoy (X-Men First Class)
James McAvoy didn’t do a bad job playing Professor Charles Xavier per se. However, the role had been cast long before McAvoy ever shaved his head for the role. Professor X has always been linked to Sir Patrick Stewart. Even long before he ever took the part.
Nearly ten years prior, fans and editors of Wizard had cast him in their first ever “Casting Call” article. Stewart IS Professor X. No matter the actor playing him or the performance they give, accept no substitutes.
Better: Jon Bernthal (The Punisher)
“Penny And Dime” is one of the finest hours of comic book television you’ll ever see. It is a fully realized version of the same philosophical and physical battle we’ve seen for years between the Punisher and Daredevil.
Bernthal received rave reviews for his portrayal especially after giving the episode’s biggest speech, about a nursery rhyme Frank read to his daughter. The hardened vigilante is more or less explained in this one moment. Hands down, Bernthal as Castle is one of the best actor-role pairings the MCU has ever provided.
Better: Ross Marquand (Avengers: Infinity War)
Over the years since Captain America: The First Avenger, Hugo Weaving has expressed not-such-fond memories of his time as the Red Skull. Despite signing up for a three-picture deal, it was clear Weaving wanted nothing more to do with the MCU.
While not seeing Johann Schmidt again wasn’t the worst thing in the world, it was a welcome surprise to see the character turn up in Infinity War. Behind the crimson mask this time was The Walking Dead’s Ross Marquand. As a master of impressions, he did a spot impression of Weaving, while still making the part his own.
Didn’t Work: Nicholas Hoult (X-Men First Class)
When Kelsey Grammer was cast as Hank McCoy for X-Men: The Last Stand, it was one of those moments where the marriage between an actor and a character was perfect. No matter what else happened during the movie, at least THAT casting choice would good. When the movie came out, those thoughts were confirmed.
When a Nicholas Hoult was cast as the younger version, it wasn’t necessarily a letdown, but the notion that we’d probably never see Grammer again as the Beast was the real let down.
Better: Ellen Page (X-Men Days Of Future Past)
When Xavier said, “Well, let’s just say I know a little girl who can walk through walls,” any mutant marching society member worth their weight in adamantium should’ve known that he was talking about Kitty Pryde.
We got to see Kitty in all four of the original cast X-flicks. But the first two of them, she was a bit role played by lesser known actresses before Ellen Page was cast for the bigger Shadowcat role in The Last Stand.
Didn’t Work: Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Avengers: Age Of Ultron)
There was a unique loophole in the old Disney and Fox licenses for Marvel characters. Quicksilver was both a mutant and an Avenger. Both Joss Whedon and Bryan Singer has written the character into their respective Marvel Universes.
But Whedon didn’t have much of a plan for the silver-haired speedster. Aaron Taylor-Johnson played the role in Age Of Ultron. He was just cannon fodder for the bad guys and for Wanda’s character arc. Uniquely, he is one of the few heroes who has perished in battle and hasn’t been resurrected.
