There was a time when playing a superhero wasn’t cool. An actor agreeing to headline a comic book movie was a risk, as it could flop hard and do serious damage to their reputation. While there were a few winners in the early 2000s, such as Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man and Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, it wasn’t until the Marvel Cinematic Universe started making waves that everyone in Hollywood wanted a bite of the superhero apple. Marvel Studios grabbed every major actor it could to give its franchise credibility, and that practice worked for well over a decade. Unfortunately, cracks are starting to show in the MCU, opening the door for another superhero franchise to grab the top spot.
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James Gunn’s DC Universe is working hard to be everything that the MCU is not, but the filmmaker can’t help himself in the actor department. He’s bringing several members of the Guardians of the Galaxy cast, including Bradley Cooper and Michael Rooker, over to help his universe find its footing. Well, here are 10 other MCU actors we want to see in the DCU and who they could play.
10) Dave Bautista as Hugo Strange
Even before Gunn took over DC Studios, Dave Bautista, best known for playing Drax in the MCU, had been vying for the role of Bane. Bautista believes he’s too old to play the Batman villain now, but there’s another character that calls Gotham home that he would be perfect for: Hugo Strange. The head of Arkham Asylum is always up to no good, and while he doesn’t usually get his hands dirty, Bautista could add a physical layer to the villain that’s never been present before.
9) Chris Pratt as Booster Gold
There isn’t a character in the DCU more like Star-Lord than Booster Gold. In addition to being a time-traveler with a snarky attitude, Michael Carter has a soft side to him that reveals itself in the right company. Chris Pratt knows how to play misunderstood heroes who let being cocky define them, and it just so happens that Gunn has been talking to his former collaborator about a part in the DCU. The stars might be aligning for Pratt to don the gold.
8) Karen Gillan as Poison Ivy
The DCU doesn’t need to be full of nothing but Guardians of the Galaxy actors, but Karen Gillan is too good a fit to ignore. Her performance as Nebula is underrated, but it remains one of the most pivotal in the Infinity Saga. Gillan can take what she learned playing Thanos’ daughter and apply it to another villain, Poison Ivy. While Batman & Robin would have the world believe that Poison Ivy is a generic villain, there are layers to her that Gillan could explore.
7) Robert Downey Jr. as Scarecrow
The MCU is preparing to shock the world by bringing Robert Downey Jr. back. However, he’s going to be playing Doctor Doom, not Iron Man. The heel turn for the actor is shocking, but it might open some interesting doors. Downey Jr. auditioned to play Scarecrow for Batman Begins, and while he wasn’t the right fit then, he is the right one now. The DCU’s Batman would have to bring his A-game to beat any villain played by the Oscar winner.
6) Chris Hemsworth as Aquaman
It’s only fair that a few of Downey Jr.’s fellow Avengers get a crack at joining the DCU. With rumors swirling about Chris Hemsworth putting his MCU hammer down, Gunn can swoop in and find a new home for the actor. The character that fits Hemsworth the best is Aquaman, who has a similar story to Thor’s, ruling over a kingdom and having incredible powers. Just like with Jason Momoa, having Hemsworth play Aquaman would ensure the character is taken seriously.
5) Jenna Ortega as Zatanna
Jenna Ortega is not remembered as an MCU actor, with her most notable role being the titular character in Netflix’s Wednesday. However, she still qualifies for this list after playing the vice president’s daughter in Iron Man 3. Since Ortega likes to embrace her dark side, a magic user like Zatanna fits her to a tee. It might be a few years before the DCU is ready to embrace its magical corner, but Ortega isn’t going anywhere.
4) Chris Evans as Reverse-Flash
If the MCU really does bring back Chris Evans as an evil version of Captain America, it won’t regret it. Evans knows how to play a bad guy, delivering a masterful performance as Ransom Drysdale in Knives Out. The DCU should follow a similar path by introducing Evans as The Flash’s arch-nemesis, Reverse-Flash. There isn’t a single twisted line that Evans can’t deliver as he torments Barry Allen.
3) Benedict Cumberbatch as The Joker
The DCU will be competing with what Matt Reeves is cooking up with the Bat-Verse. Barry Keoghan is ready to take over as The Joker when his number is called, which means Gunn and Co. can’t pull any punches when it comes time to cast their Clown Prince of Crime. Doctor Strange actor Benedict Cumberbatch is a name to consider, as he’s one of the most versatile actors working today, effortlessly switching between good and evil.
2) Sebastian Stan as Batman
Batman is going to have a significant role in the DCU in the future. The franchise continues to tease his existence, alluding to Gotham and villains in his rogues’ gallery. To avoid disappointing fans after all the build-up, a big name must don the cape and cowl. Sebastian Stan certainly fits that description, being an Oscar-nominated actor and one of the faces of the MCU. If Stan is tired of playing second fiddle to other actors, making the jump to the DCU could be the move for him.
1) Vincent D’Onofrio as Swamp Thing
Actors typically don’t respond to fan casts, but Vincent D’Onofrio is already looking to secure his next job. The Kingpin actor let it be known that he’s interested in playing Swamp Thing in the DCU, which is a match made in heaven. While there are many iterations of the character the DCU could adapt, there isn’t one that D’Onofrio can’t pull off, as his acting range has no limits.
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