You Won’t Believe These Actors Were Once Rumored For MCU Phase Three Movie Roles

The third phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a thrilling journey filled with unexpected turns as it introduced characters once thought unimaginable as leading figures in blockbuster films (such as Doctor Strange, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, etc.). This phase culminated in two epic Avengers sequels. These eleven movies collectively built upon the storytelling Marvel Studios has been crafting since 2008, with each film offering a unique contribution to this narrative tapestry. During this journey, numerous actors joined the franchise to bring both major and minor characters to life across these films.

It’s interesting to ponder how the Phase Three Marvel Cinematic Universe might have been different if several rumored actors had actually taken on their roles. A variety of factors, such as scheduling issues, salary disagreements, or creative decisions by the producers, prevented these potential high-profile castings from materializing. Now, looking back, it’s intriguing to consider these “What If…” scenarios and imagine how they would have shaped the MCU.

Morgan Freeman in Doctor Strange

Before Tilda Swinton portrayed The Ancient One in “Doctor Strange,” there were several actors under consideration for the part. Among them was Morgan Freeman, who could have made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut and added yet another mentor role to his resume. Other potential candidates like Ken Watanabe and Bill Nighy suggest that The Ancient One was initially envisioned as a male character, just as he is in the comics. However, the creators ultimately chose to deviate from this plan and cast Swinton instead.

Matthew McConaughey in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2

Among the top contenders for the character of Ego the Living Planet in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” was none other than Matthew McConaughey. The actor was deeply invested in the role, leading to the creation of concept art depicting McConaughey as Ego. However, it was Kurt Russell who ultimately landed the part. The casting change occurred because McConaughey had to make a decision between working on “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” and “The Dark Tower.” Since “The Dark Tower” wasn’t a sequel, McConaughey chose to star in this Stephen King adaptation that eventually underperformed at the box office.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in Black Panther

The filmmakers behind “Black Panther”, including director Ryan Coogler, were apparently seeking a relatively unknown actor to bring M’Baku to life on screen. Initially, Winston Duke was chosen for this standout role, but Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was also strongly considered. Despite not landing the part in “Black Panther”, Abdul-Mateen II went on to play the villainous Black Manta in two “Aquaman” movies and is now starring as the lead in Marvel Studios’ television series “Wonder Man”.

Asa Butterfield in Captain America: Civil War

The selection process for introducing Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Captain America: Civil War was a fiercely competitive one, with numerous young hopefuls trying out for the role. One of the top contenders for the part turned out to be Asa Butterfield. Given his impressive work in several well-regarded films from the 2010s, such as Hugo, it appeared that he had a certain level of respect and recognition compared to other applicants. However, Butterfield, along with all the other potential candidates, ultimately lost out to Tom Holland’s memorable portrayal of Spider-Man.

Rebecca Ferguson in Captain Marvel

Discussing the highly sought-after roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it seemed like many actresses of a certain age in Hollywood were briefly linked to the part of Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel throughout 2015 and the beginning of 2016. Just two months after her stellar performance in the action-packed Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Rebecca Ferguson was speculated to be a strong candidate for portraying Danvers. However, it was ultimately Brie Larson who landed the role, while Ferguson continued her work on more Mission: Impossible projects and the Dune series.

David Cross in Avengers: Infinity War

In their initial Marvel Cinematic Universe films, Anthony and Joe Russo incorporated elements from their sitcom director backgrounds. This had fans excitedly wondering which characters or references might appear in their third MCU project, Avengers: Infinity War. Although pre-release speculation suggested David Cross (known for his role in Arrested Development, a show the directors often directed) would make an appearance, this didn’t happen due to scheduling issues. However, a mold of Cross’s Tobias Funke character is briefly seen in the film’s production.

Joaquin Phoenix in Doctor Strange

Initially, Benedict Cumberbatch almost didn’t play Doctor Strange in the movie due to scheduling issues. At first, he was the preferred choice, but because of these conflicts, discussions were held with Joaquin Phoenix about taking the role instead. However, Phoenix wasn’t a perfect fit for this specific franchise according to director Scott Derrickson, and in the end, it was decided that he wouldn’t be suitable. Luckily, the release date of Doctor Strange was pushed back four months, which allowed Benedict Cumberbatch to eventually join the cast.

All these Marvel movies are available to stream on Disney+.

2025-01-14 23:18