These 10 Actors Almost Became Your Favorite Superheroes
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Before the dawn of the MCU in 2008, there were only a few superhero actors whose names were synonymous with a comic book character. For example, Michael Keaton as Batman in the 1990s and Christopher Reeve as Superman in the 1970s and 1980s were well-known superhero actors.
During the golden years of the MCU, superhero actors became the new superstars of Hollywood. Everyone knows Hugh Jackman and Robert Downey Jr. for their pivotal roles as superhero actors.
Still, did you know that Jackman and RDJ were not the first choices for their iconic roles? While these are the success stories, there are many more near misses when it comes to your favorite superhero actors. Here are 10 actors who were almost cast in your favorite superhero films.
Dougray Scott (Wolverine)
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Director Bryan Singer’s first choice to play Wolverine 2000’s X-Men was Russell Crowe. Crowe, fresh off the triumphant Gladiator declined the role but recommended another Australian actor, a then-unknown Hugh Jackman. Singer instead cast Scottish actor Dougray Scott. Scott was delayed when shooting on Mission Impossible 2 ran over schedule.
Scott was also injured during a motorcycle stunt. Singer waited for as long as possible and even began shooting non-Wolverine-related scenes first to give Scott more time. Jackman was cast when Scott couldn’t contractually arrive on time. Make no mistake – in another multiverse timeline, Dougray Scott is a household name as the iconic Wolverine actor.
Clive Owen (Iron Man)
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In 2006, the newly formed Marvel Studios began casting superhero actors for its first film, Iron Man, for a 2008 release. Actors like Timothy Olyphant and Robert Downey Jr. auditioned for the role. The role of Tony Stark was offered to Clive Owens who declined. RDJ was still recovering his public image from a decade of arrests and substance abuse issues and was not Marvel’s first choice. Director Jon Favreau lobbied for the actor and got him cast.
Mel Gibson (Odin)
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The iconic and scandal-plagued actor publicly stated that Marvel offered him the role of Odin in 2011’s Thor. Gibson declined to become one of the MCU’s golden age superhero actors. Gibson seemed disinterested in the role and criticized the corporate chokehold that modern companies have on Hollywood. Anthony Hopkins was later cast in the role.
Emily Blunt (Black Widow)
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This story is one of those legendary “what if?” when it comes to superhero actors nearly cast in iconic roles. Emily Blunt was offered the role of Black Widow in 2010’s Iron Man 2. Blunt reportedly wanted to do the role but was contractually obligated to first finish 2010’s Gulliver’s Travels. Scarlett Johansson was cast in the role after Blunt bowed out.
Annette Bening (Catwoman)
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Just imagine these superhero actors in 1992’s Batman Returns; Micheal Keaton as Batman, Danny DeVito as The Penguin, and Annette Bening as Catwoman. Bening was cast in the role but had to bow out after becoming pregnant. Michelle Pfeiffer was later cast in the role and delivered an iconic performance. Bening later portrayed the Supreme intelligence in the 2019 blockbuster Captain Marvel.
John Lithgow (The Joker)
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Tim Burton’s first choice to portray the Joker in 1989’s Batman was John Lithgow. According to Lithgow, the role was his to take. Lithgow got cold feet about the role, intentionally underwhelmed in his audition, and convinced Burton he was not right for the role. In Lithgow’s defense, comic book films were not taken seriously then, apart from the Superman franchise. Jack Nicholson nabbed the role later. Lithgow says he regrets his decision, and it still haunts him to this day.
Joaquin Phoenix (Doctor Strange)
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Joaquin Phoenix was Marvel’s top choice to play Doctor Strange in 2014. Though the actor would later go on to star in 2019’s billion-dollar smash Joker, Phoenix was not interested in becoming one of the MCU’s superhero actors in 2014. (Before the MCU became a cultural phenomenon, superhero actors were not considered cool.) The part was later allegedly offered to Ewan McGregor. Benedict Cumberbatch was later cast in the 2016 film and now any other choice seems unthinkable.
John Krasinski (Captain America)
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Actor and director John Krasinski was reportedly on the shortlist to play Captain America in the 2011 MCU film. Krasinski playfully jokes that he was out of shape during his audition, and it didn’t help that a muscular Chris Hemsworth walked past him to highlight that fact. Krasinski, who is married to Emily Blunt, went on to later become an in-demand actor and director. Krasinski filmed a cameo as Mister Fantastic in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Asa Butterfield (Spider-Man)
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In 2015, the internet was rife with gossip about Disney and Fox making a deal for Spider-Man to appear in the MCU via 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. (Fox owns the exclusive film rights for Spider-Man and all related characters.) Asa Butterfield was rumored to be the frontrunner for Peter Parker; numerous clickbait articles of the era claimed he already snagged the role. Tom Holland was cast, and his name is now synonymous with Spider-Man. Butterfield opened up about his disappointment in not becoming one of the MCU’s superhero actors in a recent interview.
Amanda Seyfried (Gamora)
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Amanda Seyfried was offered the role of Gamora in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy. The role was Seyfried’s for the taking. Seyfried has bluntly admitted that she did not think the film would succeed. She also had reservations about starring in a film with a talking raccoon and tree. It’s easy to judge Seyfried now in retrospect. She admits she was wrong, but the MCU was not guaranteed to succeed in its early years. Zoe Saldana was later cast in the role and became one of the MCU’s most bankable superhero actors.
The Casting Luck of Superhero Actors
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We could play “What if?” with a lot of almost misses regarding superhero actors and their casting luck. Marlon Wayans was supposed to portray Robin in 1989’s Batman. Glenn Howerton of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia fame was reportedly James Gunn’s second choice to play Star-Lord if Chris Pratt declined.
While it’s fun to consider these what-if scenarios sometimes, it’s better to just appreciate the superhero actors we have today.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
