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If Marvel’s Multiverse Saga has demonstrated one thing, it’s that there are multiple different versions of the MCU out there, including ones where John Krasinski of all people is Reed Richards, and not Pedro Pascal. What kind of insanity is that? It’s almost as if Tobey Maguire was Spider-Man, or Andrew Garfield, or… Well, you get the picture.

This got us thinking, though; what about the alternate realities where the Marvel heroes we know weren’t played by the actors we’ve come to associate with them? After all, movie casting is a magic all of its own that involves scheduling, availability, and the right person to say yes at the right time… and there are more than a few stories of near-misses and almost-happeneds when it comes to Marvel Studios’ 16 years to date. With that in mind, let’s revisit some of the MCU heroes that weren’t, in three different roles: Famous, Infamous, and Forgotten.

This is the latest topic in Popverse's new weekly series Famous, Infamous, and Forgotten — a vigorous, opinionated, and intense look at one specific corner in the pop culture realm we inhabit to pick out the most famous version of it all, the most infamous version of it all, and the most forgotten version of it all.

Of course, which one is going to be the “oh, man, if only” of it all? That’s up to you. Keep reading and decide for yourself.

The famous Marvel casting that wasn’t: Emily Blunt as Black Widow

Sure, now it’s impossible to imagine anyone but Scarlett Johansson playing Natasha Romanoff, but she wasn’t the first choice for the role all the way back in 2010, when Iron Man 2 was being cast. Instead, Emily Blunt was originally meant to be playing the part, only to have to give it up when 20th Century Fox stepped in and reminded her she was contractually obligated to make a movie for them, instead. (Which movie? Jack Black comedy Gulliver’s Travels; yeah, nobody else remembers it either.)

“It was a bit of a heartbreaker for me because I take such pride in the decisions that I make, and they mean so much to me, the films that I do, so that was tough,” Blunt said in a 2023 interview, adding that Fox “kind of [had] a bit of a hold over [me]. There were other movies that I would want to do.”

The infamous Marvel casting that wasn’t: Jason Momoa as Drax the Destroyer

Picture a world where Dave Bautista didn’t provide the heart of the Guardians of the Galaxy, because he didn’t get to play Drax in the 2014 hit movie from director James Gunn. After all, it turns out that the role almost went to… DC’s Aquaman, Jason Momoa? Turns out, it’s true; Momoa even talked about turning down the role back in 2014.

“It's not that it's not a good role, it just wasn't the right thing,” he said at the time. “I was on Stargate: Atlantis for four years playing a similar character called Ronon, who was an alien who didn't say much and grunted. I've been there and done that, whether people have seen it or not. You want to stretch.” I mean, stretching before swimming is a good idea, right? I think everyone would agree it’s necessary prep before playing the underseas king that was Aquaman…

The forgotten Marvel casting that wasn’t: Joaquin Phoenix as Doctor Strange

Doctor Strange director Scott Derrickson knew exactly who he wanted to play the Sorcerer Supreme when prepping the 2016 movie that would introduce the character into the MCU — but a scheduling conflict meant that Benedict Cumberbatch wasn’t available. What next? Lots and lots of conversations with other actors, as it turns out, including a lot with the man who would later play DC’s Joker.

“I met with a bunch of actors, and Joaquin was the one that I spent the most time with,” Derrickson told /Film in April 2024. “As we continued to talk, it became clear to me that Joaquin didn't really belong in that movie and probably never belonged in the MCU. He's a very specific guy with very specific goals as an actor, and a very specific way of performing. I think it became clear to both of us that this might not be a good fit, really is what it came down to.”

Want more? Make sure you've read our list of all the best Marvel Comics stories of all time, and the most powerful Marvel Comics characters (yes, you can debate in the comments!).