They’re Earth’s mightiest heroes, haven’t you heard? Banded together to stop the threats that are too big for any one of them to handle alone, these are the greatest fighters we have to offer up. But as the Marvel Cinematic Universe grows, and the stakes become more dire, new heroes have to answer the call. This is the dream scenario for such characters.
Ant-Man - Jason Clarke
The tiny titan, Ant-Man uses his superheroics to mask his failings as an inventor and feelings of inadequacy to both his wife and his peers. Hank Pym is an exceedingly interesting character when pushed to the limits of what he will do to feel that he has made his mark on the world. While still acting like a hero, Clarke can definitely give off a vibe of disappointment and cynicism. He’s turned in a lot of diverse performances lately like in
Zero Dark Thirty and
The Great Gatsby and he sports a good blend of outward charm and inner turmoil.
Wasp - Keri Russell
The first female Avenger, Wasp is, in many ways, the heart of the original team. But just because she knows what’s ultimately right, doesn’t mean she still can’t pack a mighty sting when she has to. Russell is a very underrated actress and deserves a big time role like this one. She’s done action in
Mission: Impossible III but more importantly she’s shown she can handle the big dramatic role that would come with playing a beloved icon in the public who is secretly being abused by her husband.
Black Panther - David Oyelowo
Ruler of Wakanda and king of the dead, the public has long been clamouring for T’Challa to make his big screen debut. Strong both inside and out, the Black Panther fights first for his country, but still finds time to aid the Avengers in protecting the world. Chiwetel Ejiofor is perfect for this role, but that’s been done to death, so here’s another actor to think about: David Oyelowo. His physique could be an issue but if he bulked up, he definitely has the humility to act like the powerful ruler of a nation, while still having the power to lash out when he needs to.
Dr. Strange - Benedict Cumberbatch
Dr. Strange, the sorcerer supreme, is the champion of all things magic and the protector of our realm against things we didn't even know existed. Mysterious by nature, his introduction would shift the focus from the cosmic to the spiritual in the MCU. Yes, he’s the most overused actor in fan casts, but this is the one role Cumberbatch is most suited for. Everyone seems to like him as villains but his work on
Sherlock would make for a perfect Dr Strange. Introverted, arrogant, intelligent and perplexing all together, he can most definitely portray a hero who knows he’s more powerful than everyone else.
Vision - Ralph Fiennes
Android and Avenger stalwart, the Vision has been a force of stability among the team, and despite his mechanical origins, continues to resemble a human. Fiennes is most well known for playing villains, but has shown to be stoic and calm in his more dramatic roles like
Coriolanus or
The English Patient. He looks the part, and ignoring the Paul Bettany rumors, he would serve as a soothing voice of reason on the expanded roster.
Captain Marvel - Adrianne Palicki
One of the Avengers’ heaviest hitters, Captain (or Ms. is you prefer) Marvel has gradually seen her role in the Marvel universe increase. Frankly, the Avengers needs more females but statuesque, muscular blondes who can act are in short supply. Palicki physically resembles the part, and while she’s not going to be winning any awards, she can competently play the tough girl fighting for justice. Just pretend
Wonder Woman never happened, ok?
Hercules - Joe Manganiello
Based on the famous Olympian, Hercules is basically the backup plan for when Thor leaves the team. The drinker of mead who happens to also enjoy fighting crime, Hercules is still a god and handles himself as such. Long rumored for the role of Superman, Manganiello’s physique makes him the constant sources of superhero rumors but this role is the right one for him. He’s best suited as a secondary character but would still have space to physically show off and throw in some comic witticisms.
Luke Cage - Boris Kodjoe
The hero for hire, and one of the most prominent black superheroes around, Luke Cage is one freaking badass whose impenetrable skin makes him nearly invulnerable. Kodjoe’s work is pretty unfamiliar to me but he most definitely has the look and the muscles to play Cage, as well as a background in action with the
Resident Evil films. After that, all he’s really gotta do is look menacing and hang out with Iron Fist, speaking of...
Iron Fist - Todd Lasance
Danny Rand, the latest inheritor of the mantle of Iron Fist is a master martial artist, driven by the safety of those around him, and the secrets surrounding the past of his legacy. Lasance is mostly unknown outside of
Spartacus but his work there proved he has what it takes to be a star in this role. He’s shown he can play the pretty rich kid with an inner moral drive, and most importantly, he can fight. If not this, watch out for Lasance, because he seems perfect for some type of superhero role.
Daredevil - Damian Lewis
One of Marvel’s most iconic characters, the blind crimefighter Daredevil seeks justice both in and out of costume. With his rights back with Marvel, it would make sense for them to introduce him into the fray via an appearance in an Avengers film. Lewis is definitely an older pick but Daredevil is one of the most seasoned and intelligent characters around, and these traits seem more suitable for someone who isn’t 25. Plus, Lewis is a killer actor, and can definitely juggle the gruff exterior of the superhero and the caring, thoughtful Matt Murdock, who still has a sense of danger about him.
Black Bolt - Keanu Reeves
The epitome of the strong silent type, Black Bolt is king of the Inhumans with a voice that can shatter worlds. The Inhumans are too large a property to not see the big screen, especially with Marvel poised to put them front and center in this winter’s Inhumanity event, so why not look for a Black Bolt appearance in the Avengers 3? Reeves is tailored for this role, he’s quiet but you can tell what he’s feeling, and his natural expression is a perfect mix of disinterest, derision and power.
Kang - Matthew Rhys
Time traveling nemesis of the Avengers, Kang the Conqueror wishes to do just as his name suggests: conquer. Aided by his supreme intellect and future technology, Kang has long been one of the Avengers’ fiercest foes. Rhys caught a big break on
The Americans and he was extremely impressive. Outwardly, he’s charming and appears a pacifist, but without warning he leaps to violence and his sinister true nature is revealed. Rhys is believable in all of these facets and has experience playing a character who wears many faces.
Baron Zemo - Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
13th in the line of Zemos, Baron Helmut Zemo rose to fame as an antagonist of Captain America. But he soon saw the power of allies and with his Masters of Evil, he presents both an extreme threat and a means to bring back past antagonists. Coster-Waldau was already rumored for one Marvel role (Crossbones), so it doesn’t seem unlikely that they would find something for him to do in the future. He’s not German, but his accent still plays here and he’s shown a knack for careless violence as well as charismatic leadership, both of which would make him more believable as a commander of past villains.
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