Avengers: Infinity WarOpens in a new tab features over 25 main cast members, most of whom have been players for several Marvel movies over the past ten years. But not all of these characters are being played by the same actors who originated them. In fact, the Marvel Cinematic UniverseOpens in a new tab has had its fair share of recasting over the past decade, and not only the minor roles either. Here are the six biggest recastings in the MCU thus far.
Warning: SPOILERS For Avengers: Infinity War contained within!
James “Rhodey” Rhodes / War Machine
The first big recasting in the MCU happened after actor Terrence HowardOpens in a new tab did not return to play the part of Tony Stark’s BFF James Rhodes, a role he originated in the much beloved original Iron ManOpens in a new tab film. Supposedly, Howard was highest paid actor on Iron Man, and for reasons unknown, Marvel didn’t want to give him a pay bump for Iron Man 2Opens in a new tab, so he was replaced with Don CheadleOpens in a new tab, who has played him in every MCU film since. Although Cheadle has done a fine job, this one was initially jarring as the two actors do not remotely resemble one another.
Bruce Banner / The Hulk
Probably the second biggest casting change was with core Avenger Bruce Banner, a.k.a. the Hulk. Originally played by Edward NortonOpens in a new tab in 2008’s The Incredible HulkOpens in a new tab, the film somewhat under performed, at least by today’s Marvel standards. People seemed to genuinely like Norton’s portrayal of Banner, but apparently he’s the kind of actor who takes a lot of creative control over his character, and we all know that at Marvel Studios, boss Kevin FeigeOpens in a new tab is the last word on everything. Coupled with the so-so response to The Incredible Hulk, and you can see why Feige replaced Norton with Mark RuffaloOpens in a new tab.
Fandral
One of Thor’s Asgardian buddies known as “the Warriors Three,” Fandral was played in the original 2011 ThorOpens in a new tab film by actor actor Josh DallasOpens in a new tab, best known for his role on ABC’s Once Upon a TimeOpens in a new tab. Due to his television commitments, Dallas couldn’t return for Thor: The Dark WorldOpens in a new tab, and he was replaced by Zachary LeviOpens in a new tab. Both actors played the part with foppish blonde wigs, and so unless you were told, chances are you didn’t even realize the role had been recast. Levi came back briefly in Thor: RagnarokOpens in a new tab just to be killed off like a red shirt on Star TrekOpens in a new tab.
Thanos
Here’s a pretty big one you probably didn’t realize had been recast — Thanos, the Marvel Universe’s “big bad” and the chief antagonist of Avengers: Infinity War has been played by Josh BrolinOpens in a new tab ever since 2014’s Guardians of the GalaxyOpens in a new tab. However. the first time we ever see the mad Titan was in the post credits tag in the original AvengersOpens in a new tab film, where he turns to the camera and smiles. For that brief scene, Thanos was played by actor, stuntman, and Alpha Comic Book Club co-host Damion PoitierOpens in a new tab. When Thanos was required to actually have dialogue, Marvel (probably wisely) recast him with a name actor. But Damion still appeared in a recent Marvel film — he was one of Crossbones’ henchmen in Captain America: Civil WarOpens in a new tab.
Groot
While the voice of Groot has always been done by Vin DieselOpens in a new tab, the motion capture actor behind everyone’s favorite living tree has been two different people. In the first Guardians of the Galaxy, the full grown Groot was played on set by Krystian Godlewski. For Guardians Vol.2Opens in a new tab, Groot was but a wee sapling, so he was all CGI. But teenage Groot in Infinity War is played by accomplished motion capture actor Terry Notary, known for his work on the Planet of the ApesOpens in a new tab movies. This is a case where there’s no dramatic reason for the recasting, as the heights of adult and teen Groot are totally different and require different sized actors.
Red Skull
Celebrated character actor Hugo WeavingOpens in a new tab gave us one of the best Marvel villains of the early MCU films with his take on the Red Skull in Captain America: The First AvengerOpens in a new tab. But in the years since then, the actor has publicly stated many times he hated the intense makeup it took to play the evil Hydra leader, making a return to the role seem unlikely. Nevertheless, the Red Skull showed up in Infinity War in a surprise cameo, and he looked pretty identical to Weaving’s version. But it wasn’t him, it was The Walking DeadOpens in a new tab actor Ross Marquand. Aside from playing Aaron on that show, Marquand is known for his vocal imitations of famous actors, so it’s no wonder that Marvel picked him to replace Weaving.
Which has been your favorite (and least favorite) recasting in the MCU? Let us know your opinions down below in the comments.
Images: Marvel Studios
