From The Bear to the MCU: The Perfect Casting for Marvel’s Next Superheroes

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Something extraordinary is simmering in a particular Chicago kitchen. Since its launch in 2022, several stars from the hit TV series The Bear have transitioned to embodying legendary roles within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The first was Will Poulter, who portrays Chef Luca on the show, landing a role as Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Following closely, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, who played the beloved “cousin” and restaurant magician Richie on The Bear, won two Emmys for his performance, and then moved to the MCU as Ben Grimm/The Thing in Fantastic Four: First Steps.

After hearing about it last month, I was thrilled to discover that Liza Colón-Reyes, the heart and soul chef in our favorite restaurant, has been cast in an undisclosed role for the upcoming movie “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.” Seeing The Bear’s talented cast being selected for major franchise films feels like a fitting progression following the show’s remarkable critical and commercial triumph. Consequently, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to imagine which MCU roles we’d love to see the rest of The Bear’s exceptional staff grace the big screen with their talents.

1) Jeremy Allen White as Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider

Jeremy Allen White has demonstrated an impressive range in his acting career, from his role as Lip Gallagher in “Shameless” to that of a working-class rock icon in “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.” His latest performance as Chef Carmen Berzatto on “The Bear” has received wide acclaim due to his skillful handling of heavy, multi-toned material. White seamlessly transitions between the show’s gritty and brooding scenes and its lighter moments of humor, which makes him an ideal candidate for portraying either Johnny Blaze or Danny Ketch’s Ghost Rider.

Apart from managing the intricacies of both characters’ turbulent pasts, White could also bring a sense of realism to the more exaggerated aspects of Ghost Rider without making the role too heavy. Moreover, White demonstrated his expertise with motorcycles in The Iron Claw, which is an added advantage.

2) Ayo Edebiri as Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman

As a passionate moviegoer, I can’t help but feel the thrill of anticipation as Jessica Drew prepares to make her live-action debut in the MCU. Could Ayo Edebiri be the one to don the Spider-Woman suit? With a background in comedy writing for hit shows like “Big Mouth” and “What We Do in the Shadows,” Edebiri effortlessly transitioned into a significant supporting role as Chef Sydney Adamu in “The Bear.” In no time, she won our hearts as Carmen’s sous chef, quickly becoming one of the show’s most cherished characters. Edebiri’s undeniable stardom and comedic prowess make her an ideal candidate for playing Spider-Woman in live-action. After all, as Peter B. Parker puts it, “spider-people are supposed to be funny.

As a passionate cinephile, I was thrilled to learn that I was set to appear in “Thunderbolts,” but alas, scheduling complications compelled me to step away from the project. But fear not! My time on Marvel’s radar remains secure, and another stellar performance on “The Bear” this year could pave the way for an even more significant role within the MCU – perhaps even taking on the iconic character of Spider-Woman.

3) Matty Matheson as Alexei Sytsevich/Rhino

Did you know that Matty Matheson wasn’t originally cast as an actor on The Bear? Instead, he joined the series as a consultant due to his expertise in cooking. However, his charming portrayal of Neil Fak captured our attention, and now we can’t get enough of him! Given his physical appearance and comedic skills, Matheson would be perfect for playing Rhino, a notoriously tough Spider-Man villain. We believe that he could bring even more humor to the role while still maintaining a sense of depth, just as he did with Neil Fak.

4) Abby Elliot as Moira MacTaggert/Moira X

Abby Elliott, a former cast member of Saturday Night Live, portrays Natalie – Carmen’s sister – in the series. Natalie appears as one of the business partners at The Bear restaurant. She is a crucial source of support for both Carmen and the entire staff at The Bear. Her knack for standing up to The Bear’s most formidable personalities makes her an ideal fit for playing the role of a geneticist, mutant advocate, and Professor X’s trusted assistant.

Elliott has demonstrated her capability to excel in both dramatic and humorous roles, as the creators of “The Bear” have progressively provided Natalie with increasingly complex storylines as the series unfolds. Consequently, if Marvel’s decision-makers choose to incorporate the 2019 retcon from “House of X,” where we discover Moira is a mutant who can relive her life each time she dies, we are confident that she will be able to portray a power as extraordinary as Moira’s.

5) Lionel Boyce as Jericho Drumm/Doctor Voodoo

In their search for a new Doctor Strange as Sorcerer Supreme, Marvel might find their ideal candidate in Lionel Boyce. Apart from starring in the series The Bear as Marcus, a transformative bread-maker-turned-pastry-chef, he’s also an active member of the alternative hip hop collective Odd Future and has collaborated with Tyler, the Creator. Although The Bear is Boyce’s first significant acting role, his unique blend of talent makes him a perfect match for portraying Jericho Drumm’s transformation from psychologist to voodoo houngan to Sorcerer Supreme in Marvel’s universe.

Boyce skillfully portrays the reserved, emotional character of Marcus, making us believe that he could infuse the necessary vulnerability and warmth into a man who embarks on a heroic quest inspired by his brother’s final wish. Despite briefly yielding to supernatural forces, he eventually gains control over the Eye of Agamotto.

All four seasons of The Bear are currently streaming on Hulu.

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2025-07-07 20:42