Superhero Casting You're Glad Didn't Happen

[Rowsdower!]

I suppose we've all walked out of a movie disappointed at one point or another and wondered if the movie would have been better if some other actor had been selected for the lead role. Oftentimes, in the internet age, we know who studios had on their shortlists before casting announcements are ever made. Regardless, there have been many times that I've personally be very GLAD that various rumored actors weren't cast. I haven't seen Dr. Strange yet (going tonight) but even still, I'm 100% positive I'll enjoy Benedict Cumberbatch in the role more than I would have enjoyed Jaoquin Phoenix (conversely, I think Phoenix would have made a much better Lex Luthor than Jesse Eisenberg).

Anyway, what are some superhero castings that almost happened, and you're glad they didn't? Besides the aforementioned Phoenix/Strange one, here are a few others off the top of my head. Some of these were just people who auditioned, whereas others were either in serious consideration or actually cast at one point.

Nicolas Cage as Superman (duh)
Joshua Jackson as Batman
Channing Tatum as Thor
John Krasinski as Captain America
Jack Huston as Star-Lord
Tom Cruise as Iron Man
Jack Black as Green Lantern
Armie Hammer as Batman
DJ Corona as Superman (and really, anyone else from Justice League Mortal except Anton Yelchin)

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Peter Weller as Bruce Wayne/Batman.
Instead we got my favorite live action actor in that role, and introduced me to how great Michael Keaton really is.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Wow, I never heard about Weller being in consideration for Batman. I know Bill Murray was though, and that would be another one that would make my list. I love Bill Murray, but thank God he didn't play Batman.

 

[Eddie Dean]

D. J. Cotrona is a big question mark for me. I thought he was terribly wooden in G.I. Joe 2, but after watching the Dusk Till Dawn series, the dude's got something to him. I can't quite see it, but I would have been interested in seeing what he would have done with it.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Haven't seen that Dusk til Dawn show, but he was beyond wooden in GI Joe. I mean, I know it's hard to deliver a good performance in a movie like that, but he was a set of abs on a 2 x 4.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Wow, I never heard about Weller being in consideration for Batman. I know Bill Murray was though, and that would be another one that would make my list. I love Bill Murray, but thank God he didn't play Batman.

I heard he applied and auditioned for the role.
Bill Murray as Batman sounds like a disaster, and I say that as a fan of George Clooney in the role.

 

[Fincher]

Emily Blunt as Black Widow.

 

[Mace Dolex]

In the early 2000's I remember a slew of young male actors in the running or fan favorites for both Batman and Superman revivals that ranged from Paul Walker, Jude Law, Josh Hartnett, Brendan Fraser, Joshua Jackson, David Boreanaz.

Phew what a mess those choices would have been, a true indication of the dark times WB/DC were facing because of the Batman & Robin stinker.

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

Jason Momoa as Drax. Idk how substantial the rumors were, but I'm glad we got Batista and I'm kinda glad Momoa is Aquaman instead.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Ryan Gosling as the Joker

love the goose but he would have been worse than Leto

 

[Eddie Dean]

Nope.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Yeah, I'd rather see Gosling play a hero if he ever winds up doing a CBM. He just looks too much like a classic comic book hero to play a villain, IMO. I can understand why he would find a villain role more interesting, but I'd much rather see him play Hal Jordan or some other classic hero. Of course, DC might have screwed the pooch on Green Lantern so much there might be no chance in hell of an actor like Gosling even considering stepping into that role.

 

[Spider-Aziz]

Marvel should finally make their take on Hercules, and hire Gosling for the role.
I don't care how bulky they want him to look, Kevin Sorbo looked awesome as a lean Hercules.

 

[kedrell]

Playing Marvel's Herc is all about the beard.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Saw Dr. Strange last night and I feel pleased with my conclusion that Cumberbatch was indeed the best choice for the role. Thank God Phoenix didn't go anywhere near it. The guy is a great actor but he would have been a completely wrong choice.

 

[David H.]

I think Phoenix would been great actually. Too bad he doesn't want to "sell out" yet.

Haven't seen the movie yet, but prior to Cumberbatch being cast Oscar Isaac was my pick for DS.

Pretty glad we didn't get Freddie Prinze Jr. and Tara Reid in Spider-Man back in the day.

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

I think Phoenix would been great actually. Too bad he doesn't want to "sell out" yet.

Haven't seen the movie yet, but prior to Cumberbatch being cast Oscar Isaac was my pick for DS.

Pretty glad we didn't get Freddie Prinze Jr. and Tara Reid in Spider-Man back in the day.

I think Phoenix would've been great too.

Loved Cumber though. He's a gem.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Phoenix would've also made a rad Wolverine. Too bad he's aged out.

 

[Drizzle]

John Krasinski as Captain America

I'm much happier that we got Evans, but I think Krasinski could have pulled Cap off with the right training.

Emily Blunt as Black Widow.

I actually think Blunt could have made a better Widow than Johansson. She probably would've done a Russian accent too.

 

[Kyle]

Jack Black as Green Lantern.

 

[Rowsdower!]

I'm much happier that we got Evans, but I think Krasinski could have pulled Cap off with the right training.



I actually think Blunt could have made a better Widow than Johansson. She probably would've done a Russian accent too.

Krasinski might have been okay; I just can't imagine him (or anyone really) being better than Evans.

I agree about Blunt. I think she would have at least attempted the accent. That's the issue I've always had with Scarlet in the role; she's cool and badass and sexy and all that, but she doesn't even have a Russian accent WHEN SHE'S SPEAKING RUSSIAN. I mean, come on.

 

[NotSoLongAgo]

On the flipside I'm glad blunt's widow didn't happen, I find her to be pretty dull

 

[StarLord]

Dougray Scott as Wolverine. He was actually cast as far as I'm aware, but scheduling conflicts with Mission: Impossible II forced him to drop out of X-Men.

 

[Wildcard]

Eliza Dushku as Mary Jane. That would've been a straight up trainwreck. Yikes...

 

[Tony Stark]

Joaquin Phoenix as Steven Strange. After seeing the movie, there's no way Phoenix could have had the charisma that Cumberbatch pulled off.