What Role Could Hiroyuki Sanada Be Playing In 'Avengers: Infinity War'?

Jenna Anderson

11/09/2017 05:08 pm EST

Earlier today, it was announced that the newest Westworld cast member, Hiroyuki Sanada, will also have a supporting role in Avengers: Infinity War.

With an extensive filmography - and previous experience in comic book movies, thanks to 2013's The Wolverine - some have wondered exactly what part Sanada could be playing. Will he be portraying a very minor character, or will he be lending his talents to a more substantial Marvel Comics role?

While much of that will remain a mystery well until Infinity War and Avengers 4 debut, we thought we'd speculate as to what role the Japanese-born actor could be playing. Click through to the next slide to check out our theories.

Yakuza Member

One of the earliest updates fans received about Avengers 4 - was that a Tokyo, Japan setting - and possibly the Yakuza - is expected to factor into the film. The production filmed on location in Tokyo, and also constructed its own version of the city on their Atlanta set.

While some eagle-eyed Marvel fans would take that to mean that the film's Tokyo scenes would be complete, there's still a chance that Sanada's upcoming role could factor into it.

He could be playing one of the Yakuza's top members, who unintentionally gets in the path of some of Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Considering the number of storylines the Yakuza has been a part of in Marvel Comics (as well as the MCU's Netflix series), there are plenty of possibilities as to how Sanada's character could fit into the fold.

Sunfire

This suggestion is a little more dubious, partially because it's unknown if the film rights to this character lie with Marvel Studios or 20th Century Fox's X-Men universe. But if the former were to be true, it would bring an interesting hero into the large ensemble of Infinity War and Avengers 4.

In the comics, Shiro Yoshida is an orphan with an array of fire-based powers, who uses them to become a pretty regular ally of the X-Men. So who's to say (film rights permitting) that he couldn't serve as the same for the Avengers?

The MCU has tried to have some sort of version of Sunfire, namely Agents of SHIELD's Chan Ho Yin/Scorch. But with his unique set of powers not really prominent on the film side of the MCU, there's no reason why the hero couldn't make his debut in one of the next Avengers films. And considering Sanada's action movie background - as well as his Japanese heritage - he's pretty perfectly suited to play the role.

Namor

Speaking of, a few fans have already expressed hope that Sanada will finally be bringing Namor to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Namor McKenzie is one of the longest-running Marvel Comics characters, first debuting in Early 1939. As a superpowered Atlantean/human hybrid, Namor has gone through quite a few evolutions, but has remained a fan-favorite all throughout.

The film rights to Namor have been back at Marvel Studios for quite some time, but the character has yet to make his live-action debut. Many have speculated that Namor could get his own solo movie, with Rogue One: A Star Wars Story's Donnie Yen campaigning for the part.

While some might argue against Namor's debut occurring in the large ensemble of the Avengers films, it isn't out of the question that it could happen. After all, a similar tactic was used in Captain America: Civil War to introduce Tom Holland's Peter Parker/Spider-Man into the fold. Marvel could very well tease Namor - either within the films themselves, or a post-credit scene - to anchor a solo movie way down the line.

(Photo: Marvel Entertainment)

Before You Go

Avengers: Infinity War hits theaters on May 4, 2018.

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