The Marvel Cinematic Universe adds slew of new characters with every new release, and some of those casting choices have turned out to be a perfect fit. Marvel president Kevin Feige recently spoke about the MCU’s impending “reset” following 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars and the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga, additionally hinting at major recasting choices that could happen when the universe enters its next era. Thus, now is the perfect time to look back and reminisce on the best casting choices in MCU history.
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From Iron Man to Ms. Marvel, the franchise has more than a few outstanding character portrayals that couldn’t have been performed better by other actors. These 10 MCU roles stand out as some of the most perfectly cast characters in the franchise.
1) Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man
The MCU owes a ton of its success to Robert Downey Jr. and his portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man. The actor perfectly capture’s Stark’s charisma, arrogance, intelligence, and compassion throughout his 10 MCU appearances. Possessing undeniable star power, Downey Jr. succeeds as the more comedy-heavy billionaire superhero in the early days of the MCU and doesn’t disappoint in Iron Man’s more drama-heavy moments in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. No one else could have played Iron Man as well as Downey Jr., and his performance made the hero the MCU’s most iconic character.
2) Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
Samuel L. Jackson’s distinguished acting career led him to becoming the MCU’s Nick Fury, a role that suits him well. The ultra-strategic former S.H.I.E.L.D. director and founder of the Avengers operates at the center of many pivotal events in the MCU โ from each of the Avengers’ missions to the Skrull invasion of Earth, Fury Jackson brings the right level of gravity to convey the immense pressure on Fury’s shoulders, while sneaking in bits of humor in lighthearted moments. Jackson is an unforgettable presence in each of his 13 MCU projects, as only a well-rounded actor of his stature could cement Fury as the standout character he is.
3) Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow
Although Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow is painfully underwritten for the majority of her MCU tenure, the star was born for this role. Characterized as a femme fatale superhero, the Red Room assassin-turned-S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and Avenger requires a true action star, and Johansson proves to be just that thanks to her magnetic presence and fierceness in front of the camera. Johansson makes Natasha human despite limited character development, expressing vulnerability at every chance between her more action and humor-intense scenes. It’s a shame that Johansson didn’t get to do more with Black Widow over her 11 years in the MCU, but she achieved icon status in the entertainment world with the character.
4) Chris Evans as Captain America
Chris Evans brings sincerity and a commanding presence to the role of Steve Rogers/Captain America in the MCU. From a fresh-faced U.S. Army recruit to a battle-tested Super Soldier and leader of the Avengers, Steve follows a riveting journey in the franchise, and Evans is up to the task every step of the way. The actor expertly communicates Steve’s duty-driven and deeply compassionate personality and portrays his process of adapting from World War II to the present day. Evans especially shines in Steve’s biggest moments in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame as the Avengers fight Thanos (Josh Brolin). Even years after the last time Evans carried the iconic Captain America Shield, it’s still clear that he was the perfect choice to play Steve.
5) Chris Hemsworth as Thor
The MCU has never quite found the right tone and characterization for Thor, which is disappointing given Chris Hemsworth’s outstanding fit for the hero. Powerful and audacious upon his introduction in Thor, the God of Thunder evolves into an embattled, and sometimes overly humorous, character who endures one loss after another on the way to finding his place in the world. Despite a massive tonal shift from Thor: The Dark World to Thor: Ragnarok, Hemsworth is always a joy to watch in the role of Thor on screen. He not only looks the part of the brawny Norse god, but he flawlessly delivers the comedy and dramatic story beats required of him in all of his movies. The MCU will have a really hard time recasting Thor if it ever decides to.
6) Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther
Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa/Black Panther only featured in four MCU films before the actor’s death in 2020, however his time in the franchise left an indelible legacy. Boseman beautifully combines the T’Challa’s fearsome warrior and tender human sides, authentically radiating the majestic aura of Wakanda’s protector. His chemistry with fellow cast members paves the way for T’Challa’s relationships with his younger sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) and love interest Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) to seamlessly flourish, and his knack for big cinematic moments to command both climactic emotional moments and major action set pieces. There will neither be another actor like Boseman nor another Black Panther as magnificent as the late performer’s T’Challa.
7) Tom Holland as Spider-Man
Following in the giant footsteps of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, Tom Holland remarkably prevails as the best Peter Parker/Spider-Man. Holland outshines his predecessors as a result of his optimal portrayals of the smart and endearing Peter and the skilled and energetic Spider-Man. Perfectly capable of leading his own movie, Holland will become the second MCU actor to lead four solo installments. The star also stands out when sharing the screen with other prominent MCU heroes, adding a lively dose of humor and fun to each scene. Holland also excels while tackling Peter’s complicated journey of accepting the responsibility he faces as a superhero. Through immense personal losses and challenges, Holland’s Spider-Man succeeds as a fascinatingly layered rendition of the iconic comic book character. Casting the MCU’s Spider-Man was never going to be easy, but amazingly the franchise got it right.
8) Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness
No one anticipated Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness to make such an extraordinary impression in WandaVision. In fact, the star was so brilliant in her supporting role that Marvel granted her a solo series. Magnetic and hilarious as the wicked magic-wielder in WandaVision, Hahn gets the chance to channel Agatha’s deep-seated anguish and vulnerability in Agatha All Along. From captivating scenes with Aubrey Plaza’s Rio Vidal/Death unearthing their characters’ past romance to an entire episode depicting Agatha’s short time spent with her son before his inevitable death, Hahn cements Agatha as one of the most interesting MCU characters of recent memory. Few other actors could so smoothly handle oddball humor with such a stirring character examination โ which serves as a testament to Hahn’s phenomenal acting talent.
9) Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova
Marvel struck gold when it cast Florence Pugh as the younger adopted sister of Johansson’s Black Widow, Yelena Belova. Among the most talented working actors today, Pugh absolutely owns all three of her appearances. Unlike with Johansson’s hero, the MCU grants Pugh’s Yelena the narrative space to develop as a three-dimensional character. Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Thunderbolts* play to Pugh’s strengths, allowing her to shine in both comedic and emotional moments. Elevated by Pugh’s performance, Yelena exhibits a visceral humanity as she navigates the world while dealing with the impact of spending her childhood as a mind-controlled assassin, missing five years of her life during the Blip, and losing her sister. Yelena’s story is a top-notch MCU character arc, and it wouldn’t be nearly as riveting without Pugh in the role.
10) Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel
In her first-ever acting role, Iman Vellani is amazing as Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel. She’s warm, funny, and energetic in Ms. Marvel in the titular hero’s introductory MCU outing. Everything Vellani does comes across as organic, which is a breath of fresh air in the franchise. Kamala’s dynamic with her family and friends is thoroughly enjoyable as she discovers her powers and explores her history. Vellani brings so much life to Ms. Marvel, and her subsequent involvement in The Marvels is equally as fantastic. Kamala’s hilarious fan-girling over Brie Larson’s Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel is easily one of the movie’s highlights, and Vellani works incredibly well both individually and with the her co-stars. With two standout performances under her belt, Vellani’s MCU future appears bright.
Which MCU castings do you love the most? Let us know in the comments!
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Image Credit: Marvel Comics
