Summary
For as many big-name actors ascomic book movieshave been able to snag, plenty of A-list celebrities have yet to get their hands on a superhero property, and not for lack of trying. It’s no secret that superhero universes likethe movies of the MCUare heavily reliant on their leading stars to make an impact, as the irreverent personalities of a given comic book character are assigned to talented actors. But not every performer with enthusiasm for the genre has been able to stake a claim in it.
There are many reasons why this can be the case. Sometimes, interestedactors are narrowly re-cast in superhero roles, just losing out on playing their dream character to another star. In other instances, planned projects simply never materialize due to the dizzying number of factors that can halt production on big-budget films wielding recognizable intellectual property. In any case, it’s the enthusiasm of some actors that remains, despite having no current superhero prospects, that fuels fan speculation about future appearances.
Every Upcoming Marvel Movie: Full MCU Phase 6 List (& Beyond)
With Marvel Studios' MCU now dominating the upcoming release slate for Marvel movies, here’s what to expect in the coming years and beyond.
10Jon Hamm
Could work for a number of Marvel roles
Jon Hamm is a well-known actor who makes a big impression in the limited number of projects he does choose to appear in. First making a name for himself in AMC’s hit period dramaMad Men, the man behind Don Draper has since gone on to star in blockbuster action films likeBaby DriverandTop Gun: Maverickwhile continuing to flex his dramatic TV muscles in series likeFargo.One niche that has continued to elude him, however, is a presence in a high-profile comic book property.
Jon Hamm has alluded to being in talks for a Marvel Cinematic Universe role
In a semi-recent interview withThe Hollywood Reporter, Jon Hamm has alluded to being in talks for a Marvel Cinematic Universe role, suggesting a clear enthusiasm for the tentpole series, even going as far as to come forward himself to vie for certain characters.Characters Jon Hamm could play in the MCUrange from famed X-Men villain Mr. Sinister to the iconic megalomaniac tyrant Doctor Doom. Hopefully it won’t be too much longer before fans can expect to seeHamm finally check the MCU off his dream casting wish list.
9Keanu Reeves
Could embody either Marvel or DC’s supernatural side
Few faces have as high a pedigree when it comes to carrying blockbuster action franchises like Keanu Reeves'. FromThe Matrixtrilogy toJohn WicktoBill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Keanu Reeves has a demonstrative ability to inject a given franchise with longevity and purpose, a talent sorely needed in the comic book movie space. While Reeves has flirted with comic book films with an appearance in 2005’sConstantine, playing the titular chain-smoking magician, his enthusiasm for a meatier superhero role remains.
Keanu Reeves has openly discussed his excitement for the superhero space multiple times, even name-dropping lesser-known character Ghost Rider in an interview withJimmy Kimmel Live.It seems likeReeves will soon get his wish to portray a supernatural heroonce more in the upcomingConstantine 2.That being said, a role in the MCU still wouldn’t be unwarranted, and it’s hard not to feel like Reeves' legacy in comic book movies is only just beginning.
8Norman Reedus
Is eager to ride into the MCU
Keanu Reeves isn’t the only high-profile celebrity to have shown an interest in Ghost Rider. Norman Reedus became well known for his portrayal of survivor Daryl Dixon in AMC’sThe Walking Dead, catching the eye of audiences with his effortlessly cool delivery and affinity with motorcycles, calling back to these skills in 2024’sThe Bikeriders.ButReedus has also reacted with enthusiasm to a fan-casting as the Marvel universe’spremiere motorcycle-riding hero, Ghost Rider.
Reedus has expressed interest in Ghost Riderin multiple interviews, seemingly agreeing with those who would view him as the perfect person to bring Johnny Blaze to life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Spearheading the lead role in the acclaimed video gameDeath Stranding, Reedus would be no stranger to the motion capture necessary for investing in such a CGI-laden character. Hopefully his burning passion for the role can soon manifest into a live-action Spirit of Vengeance to surpass that of Nicholas Cage.
7Channing Tatum
Still willing to return to his canceled Marvel character
Channing Tatum has had a rocky history with superhero roles. Best known for comedy roles in movies like21 Jump StreetandMagic Mike, Channing Tatum has the triple threat skillset of action, comedy, and drama that would make him perfect for a superhero role, which almost happened in the canceledGambitproject. Once upon a time, Tatum was slated to play the card-slinging Cajun mutant in a planned solo film, notably becoming very invested in the role.
Sadly,Gambitnever panned out due to the terrible timing of its development coinciding with the Disney and Fox deal that handed over the X-Men property from the latter to the former. Tatum was reportedly devastated by the loss of the character, stating inan interview with Varietythat he was"too depressed" to watch any Marvel movie after the project fell through. Despite this, Tatum still seems willing to return to Gambit should Marvel Studios ever reach out to meet him halfway, remarking he would still “love to play Gambit.”
6Tom Hanks
Surprisingly interested in comic book villainy
It’s easy for actors with pedigrees as high as Tom Hanks to be subconsciously discarded as ever being interested in appearing in a superhero film. An industry darling that’s spearheaded award-worthy films likeSaving Private Ryan,Apollo 13, andCaptain Phillips, it’s hard to imagine Tom Hanks having any enthusiasm to what is commonly perceived as lower-brow cinema. But that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth, as Tom Hanks is more than willing to play a superhero role.
Specifically, Hanks has expressed a desire to play a Batman villain, apparently hoping to break away from his typical typecast as a grounded disaster hero. Clarifying thathe didn’t want to be the one to wear a suit and tell the heroes what to do, imaginingTom Hanks as a Batman villainopens up a whole new world of possibilities for the DC universe. Perhaps James Gunn can find a place for Hanks in the burgeoning DCU, finally letting the prestige cinema star fulfill his villainous comic book fantasies.
5Eddie Redmayne
From leading one mega-franchise to another
Though not nearly as much of a household name as stars like Keanu Reeves or Tom Hanks, Eddie Redmayne’s career has taken off to great enough heights to warrant questioning as to how he never wound up in a superhero film. Since winning atAcademy Award for his filmThe Theory of Everything, Redmayne has gone on to lead theHarry Potterfollow-up franchise as Newt Scamander, starting with his appearance inFantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.But it seems as though the wizarding world isn’t the only cinematic universe Redmayne wants in on.
In a2015 interview withThe Sun, hot off the back of his Oscar night success, Redmayne expressed a keen interest in the superhero genre, being a self-described geek. Though he admitted he doesn’t have the physique of Hugh Jackman, Redmayne stated he would be willing to settle as a British villain rather than a hero. Having auditioned for films likeGuardians of the GalaxyandThe Amazing Spider-Man 2, Redmayne has a clear enthusiasm for comic book movies that has sadly gone unfulfilled.
4Al Pacino
Shockingly open to comic book movies despite his pedigree
Famously, prestige cinema director Martin Scorsese is one of the most vocal detractors of superhero films in the public eye, disparaging the entire genre in multiple statements. One could be forgiving for assumingThe Irishmancollaborator and similarly lauded criminal drama visionary Al Pacino would have similar thoughts on the genre. But surprisingly enough, Pacino has repeatedly stated his excitement for the prospect of appearing in a big-budget comic book movie.
Since watching 2014’sGuardians of the Galaxy,Pacino has stated to be interested in Marvel, though his days of being a leading man are long behind him. The same year, Pacino met with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige (viaHollywood Reporter), possibly to discuss his future involvement in the series.At 84 years old, Al Pacino would likely find success in the genrein a cameo or supporting cast member slot, but that isn’t to say he wouldn’t be brilliant casting for many unfulfilled MCU roles.
3Terry Crews
Few performers working today seem better suited for a superhero role than the iconic comedy actor and former NFL player Terry Crews. Proving his action chops in films like theExpendablesseries while maintaining an impressive filmography of comedic appearances, Terry Crews has only had cameo appearances in comic book media despite his clear talents for the needs of the genre. Crews was quickly introduced and killed off inDeadpool 2’s X-Force as Bedlam, and played a character in the Marvel theme park rideGuardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.
These small roles are totally incongruous with Crews' star power and clear enthusiasm for the superhero space. Though he missed out on playing personal favorite Luke Cage to Mike Colter, Crews also expressed an interest in the Silver Surfer in aReddit AMA in 2015. With The Fantastic Four soon slated to enter the MCU proper, it could be a great time to grantCrews his wish to have a more substantial superheromovie presence.
2Megan Fox
Champions comics outside of Marvel and DC
It’s easy to forget that Marvel and DC aren’t the only game in town when it comes to comic book adaptations. Guillermo del Toro’sHellboyduology is still a cult classic to this day, and the success of Amazon’sInvincibleandThe Boyson streaming proves there is a market for adaptations of less-famous superhero source material. Megan Fox is one celebrity actress that understands this, and has stated as such with her views on comic book movies.
Fox starred as April O’Niel in Michael Bay’s live-action iteration of theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, giving her some comic book movie experience outside the shadow of Marvel and DC already. But the formerTransformersstar has also championed a favorite comic of her own,Gen¹³(viaComicvine), which to-date has only ever been adapted into an obscure animated direct-to-video movie never released in the United States. An impressive knowledge of the lesser-known book should be enough to qualifyFox as first in line for any live-action adaptation.
1Keke Palmer
Rallied behind fan-casts of a particular mutant
Palmer’s increased public perception has put her in the crosshairs of a popular fan-casting for a beloved X-Men character
Some of evidence for an actor’s enthusiasm for comic book roles can be revealed with popular fan-casts. While she got her breakthrough role in 2006’sAkeelah and the Bee, Keke Palmer has since enjoyed a rising stardom from hits likeScream Queens,Berlin Station,Turnt Up with the Taylors,Hustlers,LightyearandNope.Palmer’s increased public perception has put her in the crosshairs of a popular fan-casting for a beloved X-Men character, one she hasn’t seemed to shy away from talking about.
The idea ofKeke Palmer playing X-Men’s Roguehas been floating around ever since the franchise made its way into the grasp of the MCU, prompting the search for new stars. In an interview withComicbook.com, Palmer asserted that she was “ready for Rogue,” even going as far as to use the character’s signature term of Southern endearment, “sugar,” in the interview. With her enthusiasm and potently fresh star power, Palmer would be fantastic choice for Rogue in an upcomingcomic book movie.
