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Summary
TheMarvel Cinematic Universeis no unknown to recasting character if necessary , but each instance is n’t handle in the same way . Since the franchise ’s start in 2008 , Marvel Studios has replaced the actors behind six characters . Whether it is an original Avenger or a supporting persona , Marvel has shown that it is capable of recast persona no matter how big or small their role is in theoverall MCU timeline .
With therecasting of the MCU ’s Kangpotentially on the horizon , the franchise ’s past recasts prove that Marvel Studios could get away with it . While some recasts have been address in - existence with a immediate joking reference , others have just been ignored completely on - blind . No matter what circumstance the recast happen under , most of the MCU ’s recasts so far have been largely seamless within in - population continuity .
After his MCU launching as Kang the Conqueror in Ant - Man and the Wasp : Quantumania , Jonathan Majors was convict of assault . Here ’s what ’s pop off on now .
6James “Rhodey” Rhodes’ Recast Was Played Off As A Joke
Iron Man 2 (2010)
Before he was officially the MCU ’s War Machine , James Rhodes was introduced as a U.S. Air Force military officer and Tony Stark ’s close champion . Terrence Howard played Rhodey inIron human being , with Howard actually being the first of the major actors to be throw by director Jon Favreau . Favreau regorge Howard with the intention of the actor playing War Machine in the future franchise . However , Iron Manwould be Howard ’s only MCU coming into court .
Rhodey was played by Don Cheadle inIron Man 2after a contract difference of opinion occurred between Howard and Marvel Studios . As Howard was the highest - paid actor inIron Man , the dispute was allegedly about Marvel boil down his pay inIron Man 2significantly . It ’s still undecipherable whether it was a decision on Howard or the studio ’s part , but Cheadle was brought in and has portrayed War Machine ever since . TheWar Machine recastwas merely addressed in - existence as a flying caper , with Rhodey telling Tony , “ attend , it ’s me . I ’m here . Deal with it . Let ’s move on . ”
5The Hulk Was Recast After His Solo Film
The Avengers (2012)
ThoughThe Incredible Hulkwas distributed by Universal Pictures , the film is still considered part of the MCU . The MCU ’s second entrance would be about one of Marvel ’s most recognizable superheroes , and Edward Norton was cast to dally the Hulk . Norton ’s Bruce Banner was generally praised by audiences . However , The unbelievable Hulkwould be Norton ’s only MCU appearing asMark Ruffalo was recast as the HulkfromThe Avengersonwards .
10 years after Mark Ruffalo took over the MCU role , Edward Norton ’s Hulk recast has finally been acknowledged by Marvel in She - Hulk episode 2 .
In the time betweenThe Incredible HulkandThe Avengers , Norton and Marvel Studios allegedly had creative difference . Kevin Feige said that the decision to have Norton go was“the motivation for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative smell of our other gifted dramatis personae members , ” and Norton himself pronounce he was done with the part . As the Hulk is a independent submarine sandwich , Ruffalo ’s recast was very obvious . However , it was n’t addressed in - macrocosm until 2022’sShe - heavyweight . While talking about his fight with Abomination inThe Incredible Hulk , Bruce aver , “ That conflict was so long ago . I ’m a wholly unlike somebody now , literally . ”
4Thanos’ Only Appearance Before His Recast Was Digital
Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
As the big scoundrel and ultimate battle of the Infinity Saga , Thanos was alluded to throughout the early MCU . He made his very first cameo in the mid - credits prospect ofThe Avengerswhen the loss leader of the Chitauri consulted his deep master , a clearly powerful individual . Only Thanos ’ side profile is really shown , so it makes sense that that character was digitally generated for the cinema .
Damion Poitier provided the motion capture for the theatrical role inThe Avengers . Thanos was then reforge with Josh Brolinin the character ’s first existent show inGuardians of the Galaxy , though he was uncredited . Brolin portrayed the huffy Titan throughout the rest of the Infinity Saga , shining as a menacing villain up until his demise inAvengers : Endgame . Considering that the part is largely CGI to start with , the recast was ignored in - universe as it was n’t obtrusive .
3Howard Stark’s Recast Is The Most Logical
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Out of all of the MCU ’s recasts , themultiple recastings of Howard Starkmake the most sense , as Stark is shown in the MCU throughout various stage of his animation . A picture of Tony ’s founding father is shown inIron Manwith the character portrayed by Gerard Sanders . Footage of Tony ’s father is then shown for the first meter inIron human 2through a video message that he leave alone for his son , showcasing the first Howard Stark recast .
John Slattery portray Howard inIron Man 2 , but a younger version of the fictitious character would before long be demand for his next coming into court inCaptain America : The First Avenger . Instead of take a chance the bad instruction execution of de - ageing prosthetics , the Second World War - geological era Howard was simply recast to the younger Dominic Cooper . Cooper also appeared as Howard in a few episode ofAgent Carter . Slattery then continued his role when the fictitious character ’s next MCU coming into court involved an senior Howard . Considering that it ’s vulgar for two doer to play one graphic symbol in different stage of their lives , the recast never demand to be address .
2Cassie Lang’s Recast Is Still A Mystery
Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
Another recast because of age , the casting history of Cassie Lang take much more complicated this year . Abby Ryder Fortson originally played Scott Lang ’s seven - year - older daughter inAnt - ManandAnt - Man and the Wasp . Cassie ’s next appearance would be years later inAvengers : Endgame , meaning that the character would be much older , considering that she was n’t snapped . When Scott reunites with his daughter for the first fourth dimension after escaping the Quantum Realm , the fifteen - twelvemonth - sure-enough Cassie is play by Emma Fuhrmann .
mimosa bush ’s show inAnt - Man and the Wasp : Quantumaniawas extremely expect to plant her part in the upcoming Young Avengers , which made the recast of her fictional character much more noticeable . Fuhrmann was switch out for Kathryn Newton . Though thereason behind recasting Cassiewas never explicitly stated , it can be assumed thatMarvel Studios wanted a more placeable actor for Cassieif she were to become a more prominent character . The recast was not come up to in - existence inQuantumania , and it ’s extremely unbelievable that it ever will be .
1The MCU Got Away With Fandral’s Recast
Thor: The Dark World (2013)
Though Fandral was an crucial ally to Thor as part of the Warriors Three , he is at last a minor fictitious character in the overall MCU , which made his recasting much easier to sweep under the rug . Zachary Levi was originally offer the role of Fandral forThorbut had to drop out because of scheduling engagement with his showChuck . Josh Dallas was brought in to present the Asgardian , but he himself had to overleap out ofThor : The Dark Worldto focus on the seriesOnce Upon A Time . Fandral was recastwith the originally intended Levi forThor 2andThor : Ragnarok , with the MCU never cover it in - creation .
From Fandral to Bruce Banner , no character in the MCU is truly safe from a recast . Marvel Studios has gotten away with six so far , though some have been more detectable than others . Some recasts like Rhodey ’s and Hulk ’s have been treat in quick meta one - liners , while others have just been largely ignored . Some recasts are even view as necessary when part like Howard Stark and Cassie Lang have to be depict at various old age . Marvel Studios ’ looming Kang recast will be one of the hardest for them to get away with yet , but the pastMCUhas proven that it can be done .
