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Summary
TheMarvel Cinematic Universeis beholden to its self-aggrandizing names for much of its success , but the series ' most far-famed performances were almost very dissimilar . It ’s no secret that the force of personality behind the MCU ’s most famous actors has been a massive part of its throttlehold on dada culture . It ’s unmanageable to imagineiconic amusing Scripture castingslike Robert Downey Jr. ’s Iron Man or Chris Evans ' Captain America being play by anyone else .
Yet for many of these synonymous function , the big name attached were almost very different , mayhap irreparably alter the MCU and its success . In some case , early iterations ofthe MCU ’s foundational Phase 1 movieswere almost made years earlier with different book , with a unlike star sequester to conduct . Other time , molding came down to the telegram at Marvel Studios , with last - moment cast choices being creditworthy for some truly phenomenal performances .
With Marvel Studios reportedly set up to appear at San Diego Comic - Con 2024 , there are a few movie annunciation and new details that I desire we ’ll get .
10Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man
Almost played by Tom Cruise
Perhaps the tiptop of Marvel ’s casting choices is Robert Downey Jr. ’s Iron Man . The flagship theatrical role of the MCU , Downey Jr. ’s Tony Stark was the face of the franchise for a reason , with effortless personal appeal and believable struggles as the technical school billionaire superstar hero . At the fourth dimension , casting Robert Downey Jr. was a immense gamblefor Marvel , but one that give off tremendously . However , he was far from the only actor be to turn over for the office .
Cruise ’s Tony Stark would ’ve been an interesting guidance to go in
As far back as the XC , an earlier draft of the playscript forIron Manwas iterated upon long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe was ever conceived . This prototypic Iron Man movie was set to cast whizz histrion Tom Cruise in the role , featuring the nefarious organization A.I.M. and the bionic man M.O.D.O.K. as its primary antipathetical force . Cruise ’s Tony Stark would ’ve been an interesting direction to go in , but it ’s in question that he could ’ve ever achieved the same winner as Robert Downey Jr. ’s staring possession of the role .
9Dave Bautista’s Drax The Destroyer
Almost played by Jason Momoa
While Dwayne " The Rock " Johnson proved that histrion with roots in professional grappling could lead action franchises , Dave Bautista was able to set up a reputation as a honest Chamaeleon with his character as Drax the Destroyer . The charming , dewy-eyed - disposed Drax is one of the worked up pillars of the Guardians of the Galaxy , and without Bautista ’s impeccable comedic timing , experience with fight aspect , and ability to channel a genuine essence of gloominess repel the alien warrior ’s indigence for revenge , the team might not have worked as well . But Bautista well-nigh lose the role to another muscle - bound actor .
Interestingly , Marvel Studios initially approach Jason Momoa for the persona of Drax the Destroyer , only for theGame of Thronesveteran to turn the role down . Momoa expressed a worry about being type as simple brute quality should he accept the proposition , something which Bautista also spoke on after close his meter with the MCU . That being say , Momoa would go on to fiddle Aquaman in the DCEU , a hero characterized very likewise to Drax in his own movies .
8Chris Evans' Captain America
Almost played by John Krasinski
The de - facto loss leader of the Avengers and one of the earliest heroes for the MCU to prove , Captain America is tightlipped behind Iron Man in terms of overall grandness to the serial . Chris Evans ' performance as Captain Americais filled with subtle detail that make his sincerity and inherent good - nature so credible , a type of character that is n’t easygoing to deal audiences on . It ’s hard to say if anyone else would ’ve been able to make Captain America ’s " I can do this all Clarence Shepard Day Jr. " line slay as firmly as Evans did .
That being said , John Krasinski was a close second choice in the running for the role go into auditions forCaptain America : The First Avenger . At the time , Krasinski was more well - make out for his comedic stylings inThe Office , yet to become a major character in an natural action - packed blockbuster likeA Quiet PlaceorZero Dark Thirty . Eventually , Krasinski got to enter in the MCU with a abbreviated appearance as Mr. Fantastic inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness .
7Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow
Almost played by Emily Blunt
Despite not fetch her own solo movie until far too late in the Marvel Cinematic Universe , Scarlett Johansson ’s Black Widow has been an incredibly important supporting eccentric throughout the first few phases of the MCU . Getting her start inIron Man 2 , Marvel ’s ultimate femme fatale seems tailor - made for Scarlett Johansson , an incredibly capable actress the wide range necessary to substantiate the super spy Natasha Romanoff . However , she was n’t the only one Marvel Studios had eyed for the function .
John Krasinski was n’t the only one in his family to narrowly debar being stray as a founding Avengers member . British Actress Emily Blunt was nearly cast as Black Widow , actually being Marvel Studios ' top choice for the heroine . Tragically , Blunt was ineffectual to obligate due to programming constraints in filmingGulliver ’s Travels , a rarely - commend dangerous undertaking funniness that certainly was n’t worth giving up Marvel superstardom for .
6Tom Holland’s Spider-Man
Almost played by Asa Butterfield
One quotation that must be given to the MCU ’s casting choice is their willingness to take chances on relative stranger . Tom Holland certainly was n’t a household name before being the quaternary live - military action histrion to take on the mantel of Spider - Man , but quickly endeared himself to audiences with his take on Peter Parker in no time at all . Holland ’s convincing high-pitched school performance , power to do some of his own stunts , and genuinely incredible acting skills all take in him his reputation as one of thebest Spider - Man actors .
Fellow Englishman Asa Butterfield narrowly suffer to Tom Holland in auditions forSpider - human being : Far From Home . Known for his breakout role as a child ace in the World War II period pieceThe male child in the Striped Pajamas , Butterfield proceed on to star in Netflix’sSex Education , making a name for himself on cyclosis . Butterfield is for sure a gifted comedic actor , but it ’s concentrated to reckon he ’d be able-bodied to outmaneuver Tom Holland ’s achiever as Spider - Man .
5Chris Hemsworth’s Thor
Almost played by Daniel Craig
Another relative unknown to be thrust into superstardom by their excellent Marvel performance , the MCU owe just as much to Chris Hemsworth as he does to it . After getting his start in Australian soap opera , Chris Hemsworth ’s performance as Thor managed to develop alongside the God of Thunder ’s journey throughout the films , going from a Shakespearean phantasy admirer to a comedic torpedo . Without Hemsworth , it ’s very possible that Thor might not ’ve had such a active journey through Marvel ’s many phases .
Marvel had actually approached Daniel Craig with the whim of recreate Thor before seeking out Hemsworth . The 007 star was no stranger to dribble an natural action franchise , butended up declining to continue focusing on his career as James Bond . With the release ofKnives Out , Craig has since proven he can do comedic as well as serious roles , give him one of the few role player who could ’ve stood a chance of retroflex Hemsworth ’s success .
4Winston Duke’s M’Baku
Almost played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
on occasion , an actor ’s performance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe can lift the popularity of a comparatively unknown Marvel quality to new heights . Such was the casing with M’Baku , appear inBlack Pantheras play by Winston Duke . Duke ’s bombastic charisma , effortless West African dialect , and telling physique all help solidfy M’Baku as a fan favorite in the Marvel movies , steal whatever scene he was in with a smile on his face .
Winston Duke had to work over some fierce rivalry in the auditions for M’Baku , including one Yahya Abdul - Mateen II . While Abdul - Mateen II lost out when it came to theBlack Panthercharacter and his subsequent appearances in three other MCU film , he still vex to roleplay in a major superhero cinema serial publication as Black Manta in the DCEU . Yahya Abdul - Mateen II has gotten another chance at MCU glory , however , lay to star as the titulary character reference ofthe upcomingWonder Manseries .
3Evangeline Lilly’s The Wasp
Almost played by Zooey Deschanel
Evangeline Lilly as The Wasp ranks among some of the most underrated MCU performances . While the character has only look in a modest four films , Lilly is able-bodied to instance Hope Pym ’s toughness and cynicism while alluding to a soft interior that Scott is able to tardily break into . Originally , Marvel ’s plans for The Wasp were very different , including a dissimilar actress being in thinker for the role .
Whedon ’s darling for the use was Zooey Deschanel
Before it was a sure matter that Scarlett Johansson would return forThe AvengersafterIron Man 2 , writer Joss Whedon was slap-up on the estimate of replacing the sole female member of the original squad with The Wasp . Whedon ’s favourite for the role was Zooey Deschanel , morefamous for her work in comedies likeElfandNew Girl . think The Wasp as run through the often quirky performances of Zooey Deschanel makes for an incredibly outre thought experimentation which , while an interesting idea , likely would n’t have worked as well as Lilly ’s take on the character .
Custom Image by Alex Valentino
2Zoe Saldaña’s Gamora
Almost played by Amanda Seyfried
Another role with an strenuous journey throughout the Marvel films , Zoe Saldaña ’s Gamora retain down an incredibly integral part of the Infinity Saga . Feisty and closed off but deep care for those snug to her , Saldaña was able to give incredible depth to what could ’ve well been a more one - dimensional assassin theatrical role in the hands of any other actress . Hopefully , her achiever in theGuardians of the Galaxytrilogy can landSaldaña a role in James Gunn ’s DCU .
Originally , Amanda Seyfried ofMean Girlsfame was offered the theatrical role of Gamora , but turn it down due to not want to be paint gullible . Having already act through layers of special effects inAvatar , it ’s easy to see why this was a non - issue for Saldaña . Seyfried ’s comedic chop would ’ve feel properly at habitation in theGuardians of the Galaxy , but it ’s unlikely that she could ’ve given Gamora better treatment than Saldaña did .
1Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange
Almost played by Joaquin Phoenix
Benedict Cumberbatch had already carried a soda cultivation icon as Sherlock in the BBC series of the same name well before the firstDoctor Strangewas released . While there were some initial doubts as to whether he could pivot into achiever as an American laughable book character reference , Cumberbatch embodies Doctor Stephen Strange with flying colors , craft his carrying out with hauteur , neurosis , and an enrich emotional core . With cameo appearances in Spider - Man and Thor solo films , Cumberbatch ’s Sorcerer Supreme is one of the most predominant Marvel heroescurrently alive .
Cumberbatch was n’t the MCU ’s bit one choice for Doctor Strange , despite his achiever , with that honor go to none other than Joaquin Phoenix . A notoriously picky actor , Phoenix ended up turning down the character reference due to his hesitancy to confide to legion Marvel projects . While Phoenix turned in a glorious comic playscript execution in 2019’sJoker , his flair may have felt a little minute incongruous with the more lightheartedMCU .
