10 Marvel Characters Who Were Recast Over The Years And Why

When Marvel Changed Them Behind the Scenes

Marvel has a vast array of characters and fans have already started to recognize certain actors in the favorite roles they want. However, during their blockbuster run Marvel has also brought some significant changes to their casting lineup. Here are some of the biggest changes.

1. Bruce Banner / The Hulk

This is the most famous recast in the MCU. After starring in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, Norton—who was known for wanting creative control—entered into difficult negotiations for The Avengers. Marvel Studios ultimately released a statement saying they wanted "an actor who embodies the creative and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members." Ouch. Mark Ruffalo stepped in and became the definitive, beloved version of the character.

2. James "Rhodey" Rhodes / War Machine

In Iron Man, Terrence Howard was reportedly the highest-paid actor in the entire film (even more than Robert Downey Jr.). When it came time for Iron Man 2, RDJ's star power had exploded. Marvel wanted to re-negotiate and pay Howard significantly less. He refused, and the studio quickly recast the role with Don Cheadle, who has played Rhodey ever since.

3. Cassie Lang

This is the MCU's most chaotic recast. Abby Ryder Fortson played Cassie as a young, lovable kid in Ant-Man and Ant-Man and the Wasp. After the "blip," Emma Fuhrmann played her as a teenager in Avengers: Endgame. But when the character was set to become a lead in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Marvel recast the part again with a bigger star, Kathryn Newton.

4. Red Skull

Hugo Weaving was fantastic as the villain in Captain America: The First Avenger, but he famously hated the laborious makeup process. He stated publicly he had no desire to reprise the role. So, when the character made a surprise return as the guardian of the Soul Stone in Avengers: Infinity War, he was replaced by actor and master impersonator Ross Marquand (Aaron from The Walking Dead).

5. Fandral (The Warriors Three)

This was a case of bad timing. Josh Dallas played the swashbuckling Asgardian in 2011's Thor. When the sequel, Thor: The Dark World, began production, Dallas was the new star of the hit ABC show Once Upon a Time and was contractually unavailable. The role was then given to Zachary Levi, who had been the original choice for Fandral but couldn't do the first film.

6. Thanos

Remember that post-credits scene in 2012's The Avengers? The big purple guy who smiles at the camera is not Josh Brolin. That was stunt actor Damion Poitier. When Marvel decided to make Thanos the "Big Bad" of the entire Infinity Saga, they needed an A-list actor to carry the part, and Josh Brolin was cast.

7. Howard Stark

This is a deep-cut "continuity fix." In the opening video of 2008's Iron Man, a photo of Howard Stark is shown, played by actor Gerard Sanders. When the character was given a much larger, speaking role in Iron Man 2 (and later, Ant-Man and Endgame), he was recast with John Slattery, who became the definitive "older" Howard. (Dominic Cooper was later cast as the young version, a separate, consistent casting).

8. General "Thunderbolt" Ross

This is a future, tragic recast. William Hurt played the antagonistic General Ross for over a decade, from The Incredible Hulk to Black Widow. Following Hurt's sad passing in 2022, Marvel made the monumental decision to continue the character's legacy, casting superstar Harrison Ford to take over the role in Captain America: Brave New World.

9. Kang the Conqueror

This is the most high-profile, in-progress recast. Jonathan Majors was set up as the new "Big Bad" for the entire Multiverse Saga, appearing in Loki and Quantumania. Following Majors's real-world legal troubles and subsequent firing, Marvel is now in the difficult position of finding a new actor to take over one of the most important roles in the franchise.

10. Steve Rogers / Captain America (Voice)

When the animated series What If...? began production, not all of the MCU's A-list actors returned to voice their characters. Chris Evans was one of them. For the animated adventures of Captain Carter and "Hydra-Stomper" Steve, the role was given to veteran voice actor Josh Keaton, who did a pitch-perfect impression of the First Avenger.