Over the years, the MCU Has recast a significant number of roles for various reasons. The superhero franchise is known for building an interconnected universe while being quite good at preserving its continuity. Most of its core cast has stuck with them for years, partly because their contracts involve committing to multiple films spread over a number of years, but some have seen changes as the MCU’s timeline has progressed.
Marvel Studios tends to switch actors for different reasons. There have been multiple recasts with different types of characters over the years – from prominent heroes to supporting players. Some of them are publicized, while others are done quietly behind the scenes. With the MCU five phases deep, it’s only reasonable that some roles would require changes. These are all the MCU characters that have been recast in the franchise.
12
James “Roddy” Rhodes / War Machine
The first recast in the MCU was very early. Terrence Howard was part of Iron Mans cast, joining Downey and Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts) as Col. James “Rodey” Rhodes. In fact, he was the first actor to board the project and had the largest salary among the film’s cast. But while his co-star continued to be an integral part of the MCU a decade after the film was released by Jon Favreau, Howard was quietly replaced by Don Cheadle Iron Man 2.
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It was evident in Iron Man That there is a clear intention to bring back Howard for Iron Man 2With a mockery of him officially putting on his own metal armor and becoming a war machine. Unfortunately, this was never realized as he was replaced by Cheadle, who was given the opportunity to wear the suit – something he had the privilege of doing almost a decade after he first joined the MCU.
It’s unclear what prompted the recast, but Howard is understandably frustrated. Rumor has it that it had something to do with a pay dispute, as Downey’s salary was significantly greater in Iron Man 2But there was never an official statement on the matter.
11
Bruce Banner / The Hulk
Edward Norton was the second headline actor to be cast in the franchise, following Downey in Iron Man. He played Bruce Banner in Louis Leterrier’s The Incredible Hulk. While the film wasn’t as well received as its MCU predecessor, it was an improvement from 2003 Hulk. Norton’s performance was also well-received, leaving no indication that Marvel Studios was looking to replace him. However, things are apparently chaotic behind the scenes, resulting in Mark Ruffalo taking over the gig at Joss Whedon’s The Avengers.
Initially, Norton was expected to reprise the role as the Hulk in the 2012 ensemble flick, but things changed right before filming when Marvel Studios released a statement about recasting the part. In the press release, they stated that they are looking for “An actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members.” Over the years, fans learned about the creative conflict between Norton and Marvel behind-the-scenes.
10
Fandral
Things are a little more complicated with the actors who played Fandral – one of the members of the trio of elite Asgardians, the Warriors Three. Although Zachary Levy was originally hired to portray the character in Kenneth Branagh tar, Josh Dallas finally landed the gig. Unfortunately, Levy had to pull out after production encountered some scheduling conflicts with his TV series, Chuck.
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Things took an interesting turn when it was about time to start principal photography for Thor: The Dark World, Like Dallas was the one who couldn’t continue to reprise his role because of his work with ABC Once upon a time. This paved the way for Levi to regain his original role. After Louis’ stint in The dark worldHis small part was cut in Thor: Ragnarok. In the end, it didn’t even matter, since the Warriors three met their end at the hands of Hela (Cate Blanchett) in Taika Waititi’s film.
9
Howard Stark
technically, There were three actors who played Howard Stark in the MCU. Gerard Sanders debuted the character in Iron ManBut without any real lines, so it wasn’t that much of a stir when John Slattery was brought in to play the character in Iron Man 2, Captain America: Civil War And Avengers: Endgame.
It is unknown why Marvel Studios had to switch actors at this time. The addition of Dominic Cooper to the pool of actors playing Tony Stark’s dad, on the other hand, is justified. The MCU needs a much younger version of this character as he appeared in period projects such as Captain America: The First Avenger and Hayley Atwell’s Marvel’s Agent Carter on ABC.
8
Red skull
Hugo Weaving boarded the MCU through Captain America: The First Avenger Like Johan Schmidt and became Steve Rogers’ first true nemesis. The character eventually transforms into the Red Skull after using an imperfect replica of the Super Soldier Serum and is known as the first in the current MCU canon to pursue an Infinity Stone through the Tesseract/Space Stone. Fans haven’t seen the Red Skull since, until his re-emergence last year Avengers: Infinity WarWhere we learned that he was forced to become Formir’s gatekeeper, where the soul stone.
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Marvel Studios was unable to free Weaving to reprise the role in both Infinity War And Avengers: End gameSo they tapped the services of Ross MarquandWhat a brilliant impersonator to play the part. The switch wasn’t as blatant compared to the others on the list, considering that the character is mostly in prosthetics, and perhaps because Marquand did a great job replicating what his predecessor had in The first revenge.
7
Thanos
Josh Brolin may have owned Thanos, but he’s not the only character to play the role. Actor and stuntman Damion Poitier was the first to portray the purple villain in the end-credits scene for The Avengers. Brolin didn’t join the MCU until 2014 Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 1, Where he had a small part as the villain – a year after he was officially announced to play the big bad for Marvel Studios’ Infinity Saga. He then reprized the role three more times in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Avengers: Infinity War And Avengers: Endgame.
Marvel Studios has yet to cast Thanos at the time of The Avengers‘ release, but they have already decided to tease his arrival.
There is no drama behind the actor switch between Poltier and Brolin. In fact, Poltier even appeared in Captain America: Civil War. It was simply because Marvel Studios had yet to cast Thanos at the time of The Avengers‘ release, but they have already decided to tease his arrival.
Over the years, the character’s design also changed, although it always remained somehow faithful to its comic book appearance. Like Red Skull, however, it wasn’t as blatant unless one looked really closely, as both actors’ facial features were significantly altered by prosthetics or CGI based on Thanos’ look in print.
6
Cassie Lang
Cassie Lang has already been recast once before Avengers: EndgameThanks to the five-year leap, which saw Abby Ryder Fortson replaced by Emma Fuhrmann. But then for Ant-Man & The Wasp: QuantumaniaFuhrmann himself was replaced by Kathryn Newton. Newton’s rising star on the back of roles in Freaky, Great Little Lies, The societyAnd Blockers Could be behind the move, especially since she already has blockbuster experience Detective Pikachu.
5
Thaddeus Ross
William Hurt first appeared as Thaddues Ross in The Incredible Hulk. He hasn’t returned to the MCU yet Captain America: Civil War As one of the driving forces to get the Sokovia Accords approved. After the death of William Hurt, Harrison Ford steps into the role of Thaddeus Ross Captain America: Brave New World. Ross is the President of the United States in the upcoming film, who wants to make Captain America an official military position again. During the events of the film, he will turn into Red Hulk, coming full circle from his first appearance in The Incredible Hulk.
4
Billy Maximoff
Billy Maximoff (Wiccan) is the latest recasting in the MCU, as Joe Locke took over as the character for Agatha all along. Julian Hillard originally played Billy WandaVision And Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness At a younger age. It was initially unclear exactly why Wiccan was recast in the series, as Hillard’s age coincided with Billy’s in the show’s timeline.
But Agatha all along Revealing exactly why Joe Locke is now playing Billy Maximoff. at the end of WandaVisionBilly was basically uncreated by his mother, along with his twin brother Tommy. But unbeknownst to Wanda, Billy’s soul persisted and found its way into the body of the recently deceased William Kaplan (Lake), who died in a car crash just outside the city limits of Westview. This explains exactly why Billy looks so different in the MCU in Phase 5.
3
Reid Richards
This one is a little different than Reed Richards was portrayed by John Krasinski in the MCU, but in a different universe than the Sacred Timeline. He was shown in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness As part of the Illuminati on Earth-838. Now that Fantastic Four: The First Steps is on its way in July 2025, Reed Richards will be portrayed by Pedro Pascal.
The upcoming film is a period piece, which presumably means it will also take place apart from that particular timeline. Pascal has been busy in recent years with his roles in The Mandalorian And The last of us.
2
Johnny Storm
Much like the Reed Richards situation, the sacred timeline never introduced any of the members of the Fantastic Four. Instead, Johnny Storm made his MCU debut in Deadpool & WolverineWith Chris Evans reprising the role he originally had in 2005’s Fantastic practice In a surprise cameo.
now, The actor Joseph Quinn will enter the role of the human rights torch For the MCU’s first attempt at the original superhero family in Fantastic Four: First Steps. Quinn is largely known for his role as Eddie Munson Stranger things.
1
Iron Man, Captain America, Black Widow and more – what if…?
Iron Man / Tony Stark – Killed in End gameTony Stark returned in what if…?, But was played by long-time Robert Downey Jr animated stand-in Mick Wingert.
Captain America / Steve Rogers – Captain America has returned after his End game Exit, but as Skinny Steve Rogers in what if…?, And played by Josh Keaton in place of Chris Evans.
Captain Marvel / Carol Danvers – while she returned to the MCU for The MarvelsBrie Larson was replaced in what if…?, by Alexandra Daniels.
Spider-Man / Peter Parker – The web head may have No way home In phase 4, but Tom Holland did not return to voice Spidey in what if…?, Leaving it to Hudson Thames to step into.
Black Widow / Natasha Romanoff – It may sound like Scarlett Johansson is in What if…? But it is actually well-same as Lake Belle in her place.
Drax the Destroyer – Dave Bautista has been very vocal about not being invited to play Drax in What if…? Instead, he was played by veteran voice actor Fred Tatasciore.
General Ross – despite appearing in Black WidowWilliam Hurt did not return as Thunderbolt Ross in What if…? Instead, Michael Patrick McGill took over the vocal performance.
Betty Ross – a surprise addition to What if…?, The Incredible Hulk’s Betty Ross is not played by Liv Tyler, but by Stephanie Panisello.
Obadiah Stan – Iron Man’s first MCU villain returns for Killmonger What if…? episode, played by Kiff VandenHeuvel in place of Jeff Bridges.
Pepper Potts – Tony Stark’s wife returned for the Killmonger episode of What if…? But Gwyneth Paltrow stood aside for Beth Hoyt.
Peter Quill – The first Star-Lord of the MCU is voiced by Brian T Delaney and not Chris Pratt in T’Challa. What if…? episode.
Ultron – James Spader voiced the villain in Avengers: Age of Ultron, but Ross Marquand took over the role for What if…? Spader will return to the role once more, however, in the upcoming Vision Series.
Shuri – Being played by Letitia Wright in Black Panther And elsewhere in the MCUT’Khala’s sister is in the game what if…?, By Ozioma Akagha.