10 Marvel Characters DCEU Stars Could Play In The MCU

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has featured many great actors over the years, but the end of the DCEU has freed up some impressive talent for the series to capitalize on for yet-to-be-cast characters. At this point, when it comes to actors, there are few household names that haven’t at least dipped their toes in the water of starring in one of the MCU’s many films. However, up until recently, many Hollywood stars well-suited to the superhero genre were previously indisposed with leading roles in the now-dissolved DCEU. At long last, these big names are finally free to enter the MCU.

At first glance, it may seem as though the nearly two-decades-old Marvel Cinematic Universe has little left to offer in terms of fresh characters that have yet to be assigned a face. Yet there are a surprising number of important Marvel characters still not in the MCU, begging to be squeezed into the recently freed-up schedules of the DCEU’s alumni. Not only that, but the recent acquisition of the X-Men will introduce a whole new universe of Marvel roles the MCU would do well to fill out with a roster of familiar DCEU names.

10
Henry Cavill

as Captain Britain

Despite playing one of the most iconic American heroes ever created, Henry Cavill is actually English, replacing his native accent with a corn-fed Midwestern voice for Superman. It would be great to give Cavill a chance to play a superhero from his country of origin with Captain Britain, the United Kingdom’s answer to Captain America. While many characters have used the Captain Britain alter-ego in Marvel lore, the Excalibur-wielding Brian Braddock would be uniquely suited to Cavill, sharp with a sword after three seasons of The Witcher. Cavill has even admitted Captain Britain to be his dream role.

9
Ben Affleck

as Dario Agger

Dario Agger may not be the most ubiquitous or recognizable Marvel villain, but Ben Affleck’s experience with corporate characters would make him a great fit. A genius entrepreneur and CEO, Dario Agger also has the magical ability to transform himself into a mighty Minotaur, combining brains and brawn to provide a match for even the mighty Asgardian God of Thunder, Thor. As a fifth Thor movie would be likely to have a focus on Greek mythology after the set-up of Hercules in Thor: Love and Thunder‘s post-credits scene, Affleck leveraging his dark side as Dario Agger could fit right in.

8
Gal Gadot

as Athena

Another perfect candidate for a hypothetical Thor 5, Gal Gadot simply makes too much sense as the goddess of warfare and wisdom, Athena. A Greek warrior just like Wonder Woman, Athena was only ever teased for the MCU in The Eternals, implied to be a mere fictional myth inspired by Thena. However, Thor: Love and Thunder canonizing the Greek gods could set up an appearance from a very real Athena, who is also a major player alongside Hercules in the original Marvel Comics.

7
Jason Momoa

as Sabretooth

While James Gunn may already have his sights on Jason Momoa to play Lobo in the fledgling DCU, there’s nothing to say that the former Aquaman wouldn’t also be perfect for a certain MCU role. At 6’4″, Jason Momoa would be far too tall to justify casting as Wolverine, considering the historically short mutant was already misrepresented by the 6’3″ Hugh Jackman, but would be a dead ringer for Logan’s arch-enemy, Sabretooth. Momoa’s wild looks and infectious energy would be positively perfect for the depraved bestial mutant, an important member of the X-Men’s rogues’ gallery for the MCU to get right.

6
Ray Fisher

as Bishop

Never getting his own movie, and with most of his poignant backstory cut from the original edit of Justice League, Ray Fisher’s touching performance as Cyborg wasn’t given enough time to shine in the DCEU. The gun-toting mutant Bishop would be a perfect home for the same sense of tragedy he was able to cultivate with Cyborg, telling the story of a man displaced in a strange new time rather than a strange new body. Not only that, but Bishop is often depicted with a cybernetic arm, which would make Fisher feel right at home in the role.

5
Zheng Kai

as Amadeus Cho

Not exactly a major character in the DCEU, Zheng Kai played Dr. Ryan Choi in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, banished to obscurity as a background character despite becoming the second incarnation of The Atom in the comics. Kai’s proven charisma as a staple TV personality in China would be perfect for Amadeus Cho, an effortlessly charming super-genius in Marvel Comics who has curiously yet to make an appearance in the MCU. Amadeus Cho eventually gains access to a Hulk transformation of his own, which would give the MCU a great avenue to continue with Hulk solo stories sans Bruce Banner.

4
Michael Shannon

as William Stryker

Michael Shannon’s General Zod remains one of the greatest cinematic Superman villains to-date, and it would be a shame for Marvel not to harness the actor’s proven prowess as a vile antagonist. The callousness and militaristic ambitions of Shannon’s General Zod would translate perfectly into a performance as William Stryker, the leader of the insidious Weapon X program that created Wolverine. Just as Zod saw humans as an inferior species, Stryker sees mutants as a scourge against humanity, and the MCU would do well to make the connection by casting Shannon as Colonel William Stryker.

3
Mary Elizabeth Winstead

as Mystique

From the punk-rock quirkiness of Ramona Flowers in Scott Pilgrim vs. The World to the dazed determination of Michelle in 10 Cloverfield Lane, Mary Elizabeth Winstead is a rare actress with enough range to cover the shape-shifting mutant Mystique. Appearing in the DCEU as Huntress in Birds of Prey, Winstead has more than a passing familiarity with comic book movies, and has played a broad enough breadth of different roles to cover Mystique’s own in-universe acting ability. She’s even proven a tolerance for full-body makeup and face paint as Hera Syndulla in Ashoka, a necessary skill for playing Mystique.

2
Margot Robbie

as Emma Frost

Having dazzled audiences as Barbie and Harley Quinn, there isn’t a more iconic platinum blonde bombshell working in Hollywood today than Margot Robbie. Thus, there’s no better candidate for the X-Men’s premiere femme fatale, Emma Frost. With powers of advanced telepathy, mind control, and an organic diamond alternate form, Frost is one of the most intimidating mutants for the MCU to introduce into their canon. Having an actress of such pedigree as Margot Robbie to pilot the role would give Emma Frost the respect she deserves.

1
Jesse Eisenberg

as Arcade

Compared to the many actors who have portrayed Lex Luthor, Jesse Eisenberg in the DCEU left much to be desired. While his neurotic mannerisms and eccentric quirks may not have suited the typically suave and business-savvy Luthor, these characteristics would be perfect for the flamboyant villain, Arcade. Eisenberg has the look for Arcade, and his character in the Now You See Me film series is strikingly similar — An arrogant genius with a flair for the dramatic. Often targeting the X-Men, Jesse Eisenberg as Arcade could be a perfect starter villain for the soft launch of the team in the MCU.