Recasting Every Confirmed Avengers: Doomsday Character For the 1980s

Avengers: Doomsday is predicted to be the year’s biggest blockbuster, and for good reason. Between the spectacular action sequences, Robert Downey Jr.’s return, and the incredibly large cast, it’s a strong contender. Each actor has already established their character within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This raises an interesting question: what would the cast have looked like in the mid-1980s? We’re imagining who could have played roles now filled by actors like Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, and Florence Pugh, focusing on finding age-appropriate stars from that era. For example, while Tom Cruise was considered for Iron Man in 2008, he wouldn’t have been the right fit for the role back in the ’80s.

We didn’t include characters who are only expected to make a cameo, like Deadpool, Peggy Carter, Doctor Strange, Hawkeye, and Spider-Man. Also, Harrison Ford won’t be appearing – he was originally planned to play Star-Lord, but Star-Lord isn’t in Doomsday.

30) U.S. Agent: Kurt Russell

Wyatt Russell truly embodies the U.S. Agent, so it’s logical to consider his father, Kurt Russell, for the same role set 40 years earlier. Kurt was becoming a prominent leading man in the early 1980s, making him a great fit for the part.

29) Namora: María Conchita Alonso

Both Namor and Namora have connections to Mayan and Aztec cultures, and it’s fitting that Mexican actors play them, given that many people in Mexico have Mayan ancestry. While the casting of Namora was good, María Conchita Alonso would have been an even better choice. She starred in several memorable films in the 1980s, including Moscow on the Hudson, Extreme Prejudice, The Running Man, and Vampire’s Kiss. Her role in Predator 2 really proved she could convincingly play a powerful queen – someone both regal and incredibly strong.

28) Namor: Esai Morales

Esai Morales, known for his roles in the later Mission: Impossible films, delivers a truly compelling and authoritative performance as a prison inmate in Bad Boys – the one starring Sean Penn, not the more popular Bad Boys with Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. Many fans believe he would have been an ideal choice to play the character Namor.

27) M’Baku: Mr. T

Mr. T in the 1980s was just as believable as a strong, tough fighter as Winston Duke is today. They both even have similar, gravelly voices. After his breakout role in Rocky III, appearing in an Avengers movie would have been a smart move for Mr. T. Playing the hero instead of the villain could have really worked for him.

26) Shuri: Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston was successful as an actress in films like The Bodyguard, Waiting to Exhale, and The Preacher’s Wife, with The Bodyguard being a particularly big hit. Interestingly, she could have potentially started her film career much earlier – imagine if she’d played the Black Panther! She was already a recording artist in the mid-1980s, so the possibility wasn’t far-fetched.

25) Ghost: Vanity

I always knew Vanity was more than just a singer, even though she first became famous working with Prince. She had real acting talent, and she showed it even in smaller parts – like in movies such as 52 Pick-Up, Action Jackson, and the awesome The Last Dragon. Honestly, I think she could have totally nailed the complex role of Ghost; she had the depth and the ability to pull off a character with a complicated history.

24) Red Guardian: John Belushi

Before his untimely death at age 33, John Belushi was looking to expand his acting range, a desire visible in his last two films, Continental Divide and Neighbors. Interestingly, Neighbors doesn’t quite work because Belushi and Dan Aykroyd played against type—Aykroyd as the villain and Belushi as the more reserved character. However, with a stronger script and the right part, Belushi had the potential to be a fantastic dramatic actor. A role like Red Guardian in a large-scale movie would have been perfect, allowing him to showcase both his comedic timing and a more paternal side.

23) Sentry: Timothy Hutton

Sentry is a deeply troubled character, and his role is among the most emotionally demanding in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If you’re looking for another powerful and heartbreaking performance in a similarly intense role, check out the film Ordinary People. Timothy Hutton’s performance in that movie was so strong, it easily would have qualified him for the part.

22) Yelena Belova: Jenny Agutter

Jenny Agutter is a natural fit for the role of Black Widow, much like Kurt Russell. She actually did play a version of the character in Captain America: The Winter Soldier – she was the face used for Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff. She could have easily taken on the role back in the 1980s, bringing the same beauty, intelligence, and strength she showed in An American Werewolf in London.

21) Falcon: Lou Diamond Phillips

Lou Diamond Phillips rose to fame in the 1980s, as a young actor in his twenties. It’s easy to imagine a major film from that era casting him, particularly given his captivating presence. Phillips had a knack for balancing dramatic roles with comedic ones, and he would have been a strong choice to play the role now held by Danny Ramirez as Falcon.

20) Winter Soldier: Jack Nicholson

This comparison is a bit of a reach, but interesting to consider. Jack Nicholson was 48 years old in 1985, and Sebastian Stan is currently 43. The age difference isn’t huge, and Nicholson likely could have powerfully portrayed a man deeply troubled for many years.

19) Sam Wilson: Denzel Washington

While Denzel Washington truly became a major movie star with the 1989 film Glory, he was already a familiar face thanks to his role as Dr. Philip Chandler on the TV show St. Elsewhere. He would have been a great choice to play a modern Captain America – someone who could deliver a powerful speech and also handle action scenes with charisma. You can see his dramatic skills in Philadelphia and his action abilities in 2 Guns.

18) The Thing: Clint Eastwood

While several roles here rely heavily on voice work, The Thing especially needs a distinctive vocal performance. Even though the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s version of the character doesn’t have the traditionally gravelly voice, let’s imagine it does. In that case, Clint Eastwood is the perfect choice – there’s no need to consider anyone else.

17) Human Torch: Mark Hamill

Mark Hamill became incredibly popular thanks to his role in the original Star Wars trilogy, and he was a strong contender for the part of the Human Torch in the 1980s film, Doomsday. He would have perfectly captured the character’s rebellious and heroic spirit, likely attracting a younger audience to the movie.

16) Mister Fantastic: Michael Beck

Pedro Pascal is slightly older than Michael Beck was when he starred in The Warriors back in the 80s, but he would have still been perfect for the role. He brings a sense of intelligence and experience to even his portrayals of tough characters.

15) Invisible Woman: Olivia Newton-John

Michael Beck, known for his role in the movie Xanadu (which wasn’t great for his career), also starred alongside Olivia Newton-John. She was always a charming performer, and even with just one film appearance, her character, the Invisible Woman, remains one of the most beloved in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

14) Beast: Liam Neeson

The Beast character would rely heavily on voice acting, and Liam Neeson is known for his captivating voice. Essentially, he’d be playing a version of Aslan who’s more focused on science. Plus, given that Neeson started taking on more substantial roles in the 1980s, the casting feels perfectly timed.

13) Cyclops: Tommy Lee Jones

I always think about how perfect Tommy Lee Jones would have been as Cyclops back in the day. While he really hit his stride in the ’90s, he was a strong presence in the ’70s and ’80s too. He just had this incredible ability to portray both inner turmoil – like the pain of losing someone you love, as Cyclops felt with Jean Grey – and a really solid, commanding presence for the action scenes. He would have nailed that role.

12) Gambit: Kevin Bacon

It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Channing Tatum as Gambit. He has a similar look to a young Kevin Bacon, and he’s a skilled actor who could definitely nail the Cajun accent – or even a playfully exaggerated version of it, like he often does.

11) Mystique: Cher

Similar to Lady Gaga, Cher consistently proved she was a talented actress as well as a pop star. Notably, she focused on acting throughout the 1980s, delivering strong performances in films like Silkwood, Mask, The Witches of Eastwick, and Moonstruck. These roles demonstrated her ability to portray both vulnerability and allure – qualities that would later serve her well in playing Mystique.

10) Nightcrawler: Christoph Waltz

Though Christoph Waltz became widely known in the US in 2009, he’d been a prominent actor in German films for many years. He even starred in the 1981 film Fire and Sword (seen above). With his thin build and authentic German accent, he would have been a perfect fit for the role of Nightcrawler.

9) Magneto: Rutger Hauer

Ian McKellen has a remarkable ability to command attention whenever he’s on screen, no matter who his co-stars are. This is true even in his iconic role as Magneto in X-Men. Another actor who possessed this same captivating presence was Rutger Hauer – his stunning monologue in Blade Runner is a perfect example.

8) Professor X: Sean Connery

A lot of fans have imagined Sean Connery as Professor X in a Marvel movie set in the 1980s, and for good reason – he would have been perfect for the role. He possessed the same dignified presence as Patrick Stewart and could deliver the character’s lines with a similar gentle touch. You can get a sense of how soothing his voice could be by watching Dragonheart.

7) Ant-Man: Michael Keaton

Paul Rudd successfully transitioned from comedy to a superhero role, and Michael Keaton had already proven he could do the same. Keaton’s earlier work, like his role as a father in Mr. Mom, showed he was well-suited to playing a more nurturing superhero – perhaps something like Ant-Man instead of the darker Batman.

6) Loki: Chevy Chase

If you needed a playfully troublesome character back in the 80s, Chevy Chase was your go-to guy. Just amplify his famous Fletch personality, and you’d essentially have Loki. Similar to another person on this list, he could be a bit difficult to work with, but he would have been perfect for the role.

5) Thor: Dolph Lundgren

Dolph Lundgren became famous for playing Ivan Drago in Rocky IV (1985), and his following role in Masters of the Universe (1987) strongly positioned him to play Thor. Since He-Man and Thor share many similarities, he was a natural fit for the part.

4) Shang-Chi

By the mid-1980s, Jackie Chan was already a seasoned performer with two decades of experience. He first appeared in a Hollywood film in 1980 with Battle Creek Brawl, and then joined the cast of The Cannonball Run the next year. This established him as a recognizable face in the U.S., making him well-suited for the part of Shang-Chi.

3) Love: Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore was one of the most popular child actors of the 1980s. Her roles in movies like Firestarter and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial made her a star, and she would have been a perfect addition to an 80s version of Doomsday, perhaps even inspiring Dolph Lundgren’s Thor character.

2) Steve Rogers: Robert Redford

When thinking about who could have played Captain America, Robert Redford and Kevin Costner would be strong contenders. Chris Evans was 44 during filming, and Robert Redford was 48 around the same time. While Kevin Costner would have been a perfect fit for the younger Captain America in The First Avenger, the older, more seasoned Captain America from Doomsday feels like a role Robert Redford was born to play.

1) Doctor Doom: Oliver Reed

I always thought Oliver Reed would have been incredible as a villain in the MCU. Sure, he was known for being a bit of a wild card on set – a playful tease one minute, maybe a little too fond of a drink the next – but when it came to acting, he was phenomenal. He could take even the smallest line and absolutely make it something special. Honestly, he was one of the best actors, ever, and I can just picture those intense eyes of his behind the Doom mask – truly terrifying! The only other actor who could have matched that level of frightening intensity, in my opinion, was Klaus Kinski. And if you want to see those two incredible, but notoriously difficult, actors go head-to-head, you have to watch Venom – it’s a bit flawed, but fascinating to watch them clash.

Do you disagree with any of these actors being cast? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-23 03:13