8 Unexpected Reasons Actors Refused To Play Iconic Marvel Roles
Live-action movies based on comic books primarily targeted teenagers back in the day. However, the genre has left an indelible imprint on culture as time has progressed. This decade's superhero films have accomplished what other genres' best efforts have taken decades to accomplish. Superhero movies have become the highest-grossing films of all time and Oscar winners, and they don't seem to be slowing down any time soon. Currently, the most successful films at the theaters are adaptations of Marvel comic books.
Numerous Marvel films from studios including 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures, as well as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, are released each year. So, nowadays, appearing in a Marvel production can do wonders for an actor's career. However, there have been numerous cases where recognizable celebrities have declined parts in Marvel films. Here are eight of those actors.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 offered him the role of EGO, the Star-biological Lord's father. The star of "Dallas Buyers Club," while enjoying "Guardians of the Galaxy," declined an opportunity to join the franchise because he felt it would be "cheap" to join a film series that had already attained success. Thankfully, Kurt Russell was cast in the role, and he brings the planet's sadistic nature to life brilliantly.
Zoe Saldana's portrayal of Gamora in the MCU has been lauded for the past five years. However, there was a real risk at one point of her not receiving the position as the Studio originally wanted Olivia Wilde to play the green-skinned assassin. Unfortunately, Wilde was unable to accept the role owing to a conflict in his schedule. Despite Saldana and the rest of the cast's impressive efforts, Wilde's absence is felt every once in a while.
One of Hollywood's brightest stars, Leonardo DiCaprio always goes for quality above quantity. Look through his career and you'll see that each of his roles has been distinctive in its own way. In the late '90s, he came close to adding a superhero picture to his eclectic portfolio when he was invited to play Peter Parker/Spider-man in a film directed by James Cameron.
But the Titanic actor turned down the invitation, saying he wasn't ready to don a suit. Since Leonardo DiCaprio was not interested in the role, and for other reasons, Sam Raimi was able to take the reins and make a trilogy that will live on in audiences' memories forever.
Even lead actor Ben Affleck, who had previously played Superhero roles, avoided them until he was cast as Batman in the DC Extended Universe. He said the film left a terrible taste in his mouth.
Therefore, it can be argued that Daredevil was a disappointing feature and anyone affiliated with the film wouldn’t cheerfully bring up their involvement with the project. Some of those people could have included Matt Damon, formerly considered for the lead role. Due to his lack of knowledge of the filmmaker, he ultimately decided to turn down the offer (Mark Steven Johnson). Good thinking, Matt, is all we can say.
Although Emily Blunt ultimately took on the role of Black Widow in the MCU, the red-headed Shield agent was originally intended to have a very different appearance. Before Blunt's schedule clashed, everything was running smoothly. Her dedication to Gulliver's Travels prevented her from joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Before RDJ took an unlikeable character and made him the most popular Superhero, Tom Cruise was set to produce and star as Iron Man in the film. Cruise lost interest in the project as MCU struggled to secure the rights to the Iron Man character. There are also whispers that he insisted on having his face exposed even when fully clothed. Thankfully, these obstacles allowed MCU to contact Robert Downey Jr., and what happened next needs no explanation.
Many people are gushing over Momoa's performance as Aquaman. Even though he has only recently appeared in three DC movies as the King of Atlantis, fans have praised him as indispensable. However, there was a time when it looked like the actor may be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Drax the Destroyer.
He was worried about being typecast. Therefore, it's for the best that he turned down such a huge actor. He felt that his portrayal of Drax was identical to the many others he had already given. Since the MCU lost Momoa, the DCEU has gained Dave Bautista. We've finally cast the ideal actors to play Drax and Aquaman.
Any studio would benefit greatly from having a Superstar like Joaquin Phoenix, who can transform into their role. Because of this, the MCU persisted in its efforts to have Phoenix cast in both the Bruce Banner/The Hulk and the Doctor Strange roles.
The actor who played The Joker declined every offer he received from Marvel because he didn't think playing villains would be satisfying. The credit goes to Phoenix for listening to his inner voice despite repeated offers to go against it.
Numerous Marvel films from studios including 20th Century Fox and Sony Pictures, as well as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, are released each year. So, nowadays, appearing in a Marvel production can do wonders for an actor's career. However, there have been numerous cases where recognizable celebrities have declined parts in Marvel films. Here are eight of those actors.
1. Matthey McConaughey (EGO)
Source: Getty Images
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 offered him the role of EGO, the Star-biological Lord's father. The star of "Dallas Buyers Club," while enjoying "Guardians of the Galaxy," declined an opportunity to join the franchise because he felt it would be "cheap" to join a film series that had already attained success. Thankfully, Kurt Russell was cast in the role, and he brings the planet's sadistic nature to life brilliantly.
2. Olivia Wilde (Gamora)
Source: Getty Images
Zoe Saldana's portrayal of Gamora in the MCU has been lauded for the past five years. However, there was a real risk at one point of her not receiving the position as the Studio originally wanted Olivia Wilde to play the green-skinned assassin. Unfortunately, Wilde was unable to accept the role owing to a conflict in his schedule. Despite Saldana and the rest of the cast's impressive efforts, Wilde's absence is felt every once in a while.
3. Leonardo DiCaprio (Spiderman)
Source: Getty Images
One of Hollywood's brightest stars, Leonardo DiCaprio always goes for quality above quantity. Look through his career and you'll see that each of his roles has been distinctive in its own way. In the late '90s, he came close to adding a superhero picture to his eclectic portfolio when he was invited to play Peter Parker/Spider-man in a film directed by James Cameron.
But the Titanic actor turned down the invitation, saying he wasn't ready to don a suit. Since Leonardo DiCaprio was not interested in the role, and for other reasons, Sam Raimi was able to take the reins and make a trilogy that will live on in audiences' memories forever.
4. Matt Damon (Daredevil)
Source: Getty Images
Even lead actor Ben Affleck, who had previously played Superhero roles, avoided them until he was cast as Batman in the DC Extended Universe. He said the film left a terrible taste in his mouth.
Therefore, it can be argued that Daredevil was a disappointing feature and anyone affiliated with the film wouldn’t cheerfully bring up their involvement with the project. Some of those people could have included Matt Damon, formerly considered for the lead role. Due to his lack of knowledge of the filmmaker, he ultimately decided to turn down the offer (Mark Steven Johnson). Good thinking, Matt, is all we can say.
5. Emily Blunt (Black Widow)
Source: Getty Images
Although Emily Blunt ultimately took on the role of Black Widow in the MCU, the red-headed Shield agent was originally intended to have a very different appearance. Before Blunt's schedule clashed, everything was running smoothly. Her dedication to Gulliver's Travels prevented her from joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
6. Tom Cruise (Iron Man)
Source: Getty Images
Before RDJ took an unlikeable character and made him the most popular Superhero, Tom Cruise was set to produce and star as Iron Man in the film. Cruise lost interest in the project as MCU struggled to secure the rights to the Iron Man character. There are also whispers that he insisted on having his face exposed even when fully clothed. Thankfully, these obstacles allowed MCU to contact Robert Downey Jr., and what happened next needs no explanation.
7. Jason Momoa (Drax the Destroyer)
Source: Getty Images
Many people are gushing over Momoa's performance as Aquaman. Even though he has only recently appeared in three DC movies as the King of Atlantis, fans have praised him as indispensable. However, there was a time when it looked like the actor may be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Drax the Destroyer.
He was worried about being typecast. Therefore, it's for the best that he turned down such a huge actor. He felt that his portrayal of Drax was identical to the many others he had already given. Since the MCU lost Momoa, the DCEU has gained Dave Bautista. We've finally cast the ideal actors to play Drax and Aquaman.
8. Joaquin Phoenix (Dr. Strange)
Source: Getty Images
Any studio would benefit greatly from having a Superstar like Joaquin Phoenix, who can transform into their role. Because of this, the MCU persisted in its efforts to have Phoenix cast in both the Bruce Banner/The Hulk and the Doctor Strange roles.
The actor who played The Joker declined every offer he received from Marvel because he didn't think playing villains would be satisfying. The credit goes to Phoenix for listening to his inner voice despite repeated offers to go against it.
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