23 Perfect Casting Choices That The MCU Needs For Phase Four
With the Multiverse of Madness in our immediate rearview, and both Ms. Marvel and Thor: Love and Thunder on the horizon, it certainly seems that the MCU is rolling full steam ahead for Phase Four.
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But the question on everyone's mind seems to be which heroes may show up to join the ranks of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, especially following some of the reveals in Spider-Man: No Way Home, Hawkeye, and Doctor Strange II.
With fans waiting impatiently to see which formerly Fox-owned or Sony-connected Marvel characters show face next, I've put together a list of 23 inspired casting choices that would perfectly compliment the MCU.
1.Stephanie Ann Hsu as Jubilation Lee (aka Jubilee)
While we are unsure if any other X-Men alumni from former iterations of the franchise will reappear in the MCU, including Lana Condor, this breakout star of Everything Everywhere All at Once would be a fitting replacement for the fan favorite character, as she proved to exude the right combination of charisma and emotional vulnerability in Daniels' astounding multiversal dramedy.
2.Santiago Segura as Venom (Earth-616)
While this young Colombian actor made waves in Scream: The TV Series and 47 Meters Down, his provocative and rage-filled performance in The Five Rules of Success would make him an excellent addition to take on the symbiote fragment left behind by Eddie Brock in South America in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
3.Madeline Brewer as Jean Grey (aka Phoenix)
Madeline Brewer has been on the cusp of breaking big for a long time, with scene-stealing turns in Braid, Hustlers, Orange is the New Black, and The Handmaid's Tale, the latter of which earned her an Emmy nomination. But her leading role in Netflix's hit horror movie, Cam, proved that Brewer is ready for the big time and could easily handle the internally conflicted and ferocious Jean Grey in the MCU.
4.Matt Dillon as Ben Grimm (aka The Thing)
This gruff-voiced New York native has largely avoided the studio system over the past decade, but if there's anyone who could bring the pathos of Ben Grimm to a motion-capture performance akin to what Vin Diesel has done for Groot, it could be this exceptional screen veteran.
5.Samara Weaving as Felicia Hardy (aka Black Cat)
Samara Weaving's star has been steadily on the rise after buzzworthy performances in The Babysitter, Ready or Not, and Guns Akimbo. Her penchant for precisely rolling with the punches, in a number of tonally complicated genre films, would make her a great addition to the MCU and Sony's Spider-Verse as Black Cat, especially considering the failure of Snake Eyes might have put a nail in any future performances as Scarlett.
6.Bill Pullman as Bruce Banner (Earth-9200) (aka Maestro)
Bill Pullman is receiving somewhat of a late-career renaissance thanks to his critically acclaimed work as Harry Ambrose on The Sinner, which is a great reminder of his versatility and depth, both of which could serve the MCU greatly should they introduce the Multiverse's villainous alternate (and far older) version of The Hulk.
7.Patrick Schwarzenegger as Remy Lebeau (aka Gambit)
It seems likely that Taylor Kitsch's hopes to reprising the role of Gambit are a distant memory, as is Channing Tatum's ambitions to forge the character once more in his image, but if the MCU is looking to bring in a younger, new cast to some X-Men favorites, Patrick Schwarzenegger notably showcased charm, understated darkness, and an imposing physical frame in Daniel Isn't Real, three factors that would work wonders as the explosive Cajun card shark.
8.Niamh Algar as Sue Storm (aka The Invisible Woman)
This young Irish actress has garnered a wealth of praise in recent years with her captivating performances in Wrath of Man, Censor, From the Dark, and Raised by Wolves, and with the Marvel Cinematic Universe having been a launchpad that has sent the likes of Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, and Chadwick Boseman to superstardom, Algar could bring her impressive talents to the MCU while elevating the game of John Krasinski as Mr. Fantastic and sending her career into the cosmos.
9.Rhenzy Feliz as Miles Morales (aka Spider-Man)
Though this young actor was among the breakout stars of Marvel's television property, Runaways, and the fantastic voice cast of Encanto, Rhenzy Feliz could join Gemma Chan, Alfre Woodard, and Mahershala Ali as performers who have pulled double duty in the MCU as he has the look, attitude, and tenacity that would make for a great Miles Morales.
10.Joe Dempsie as James Howlett/Logan (aka Wolverine)
Best known as the fan favorite character Gendry on "Game of Thrones," this 5'10, strong-jawed English actor has the age, intensity, and pedigree that would be perfectly suitable to offer new blood to Wolverine and perhaps something different than someone aping the work and facade of Hugh Jackman's iconic performance.
11.Stephen Lang as Deacon Frost
With an appearance that would run far closer to that of his comic book portrayal, Stephen Lang remains an on-screen force to be reckoned with and could bring a pulse-pounding ruthlessness that would make him an exemplary foe for Mahershala Ali's first solo foray as Blade in the MCU.
12.Gerard Butler as Ted Sallis (aka Man-Thing)
With Man-Thing hinted as an Easter Egg in Thor: Ragnarok, there's one action star whose dominant vocal range and growling intensity could make Man-Thing a must-see figure in the MCU and that's the one and only Gerard Butler, who has been overdue for a shot at Marvel's rogue's gallery.
13.Alex Wolff as Johnny Storm (aka The Human Torch)
Alex Wolff has slowly but surely cemented himself as an incredible indie darling courtesy of his performances in the likes of Hereditary, Pig, and My Friend Dahmer, in which he's played cocky, haunted, and opportunistic characters, all of which could be considered defining qualities of the Human Torch himself.
14.George MacKay as Scott Summers (aka Cyclops)
Running off the momentum of his spellbinding leading performances in 1917, this promising young actor could find a place among a number of Marvel heroes, yet few would be as seemingly perfect as the X-Men's noble and by-the-book presumed field leader, Scott Summers.
15.Jenna Ortega as Doreen Green (aka Squirrel Girl)
While the likes of Anna Kendrick and Milana Vayntrub have openly lobbied for the role of Squirrel Girl, Jenna Ortega's stock in Hollywood has seen a sensational rise after her solid roles in The Babysitter: Killer Queen, Scream (2022), Studio 666, and Ti West's X (which just hit DVD/Blu-ray this week). With her stardom about to catapult with the release of Tim Burton's Wednesday this fall on Netflix, this daring young performer could be a shoo-in for one of Marvel's low-key most anticipated additions.
16.Alexander Ludwig as Robert Reynolds (aka Sentry)
With Marvel exploring trippier and more adventurous territory with Wandavision, What If...?, and Moon Knight, it's only a matter of time before the historically influential Sentry makes his way into the MCU. His undeniably stunning performance on Starz's Heels has convinced this writer that Alexander Ludwig could offer up the mix of hardened confidence and wounded wariness that lies beneath the surface of Robert Reynolds.
17.Hamish Linklater as Victor Von Doom (aka Dr. Doom)
Die-hard Marvel fanatics may remember Hamish Linklater from his role in FX's Legion, but his jaw-dropping (and star-making) turn in Mike Flanagan's Midnight Mass elevated him to a different class of must-see performer. With his booming voice, his calculated and convincing diction, and his assured ability to not only stand toe-to-toe with John Krasinski but humble Mr. Fantastic, the choice seems clear that he'd make one hell of a Doctor Doom.
18.Rami Malek as Kurt Wagner (aka Nightcrawler)
Rami Malek has exuded a strong physicality in Bohemian Rhapsody, a unique leading-man energy in Mr. Robot, and an all-encompassing peculiarity in...well, everything. But all of these qualities would put the Oscar-winning actor at the top of the list to embody the next iteration of Nightcrawler in the MCU.
19.Trevante Rhodes as Jericho Drumm (aka Brother Voodoo)
Following his lauded breakout role in Moonlight, with strong performances in The Predator, Bird Box, and The United States vs. Billie Holiday, Trevante Rhodes has been on the precipice of a major performance to make him a bona fide movie star, and should Jericho Drumm bring his more twisted version of the mystic arts to the MCU, Rhodes could absolutely ground the character in reality and usher him as a certified badass among Marvel's roster of bombastic heroes.
20.Jacob Elordi as Victor Creed (aka Sabretooth)
Standing out in the zeitgeist thanks to his leading role on HBO's Euphoria, this imposing and wry 6'5 Aussie seems destined to enter the MCU in some way, shape, or form during his burgeoning career. But considering the sinister undertone he can flip like a switch (see his performance in the Tales from the Crypt-esque The Mortuary Collection), he could be a pretty out-of-the-box choice to bring Wolverine's longtime nemesis into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
21.Glen Powell as Richard Rider (aka Nova)
For some film fans, Glen Powell has been one of Hollywood's best kept secrets, with his hilarious turn in Scream Queens and Everybody Wants Some!! hinting at his potential as the next big thing. With Top Gun: Maverick slated to possibly send his career to new heights, Marvel would be out of this world not to recognize Glen Powell's talent and leading man looks, which seems tailor-fit for Marvel's Guardians-adjacent hero.
22.Jim Cummings as Arno Stark (aka Iron Man 2020)
It's been pretty satisfying in seeing Jim Cummings' cult audience (and commercial appeal) grow with the releases of The Wolf of Snow Hollow and The Beta Test, and considering he is unparalleled at employing the same brand of self-confident charm as Robert Downey Jr., Cummings would make an unexpected, yet certainly appreciated, figure in the MCU canon should they feel like exploring Tony's multiversal prodigal son, Arno.
23.Jasmin Savoy Brown as Ororo Munroe (aka Storm)
Though both Alexandra Shipp and Halle Berry made for spectacular Storms, one performer, in particular, seems to be perfectly suited to take the mantle of the beloved X-Men than Jasmin Savoy Brown, who has turned heads in recent months with her flat-out phenomenal turns in Yellowjackets, Scream, and Sound of Violence and is due for a stratospheric rise in showbusiness any day now.
