There are several brilliant MCU roles that would be perfect for classic Batman actor George Clooney, following recent speculation of his possible casting by Marvel Studios. Academy Award winner George Clooney is no stranger to the world of superheroes, as he previously portrayed Bruce Wayne’s Batman in Joel Schumacher’s reviled Batman & Robin back in 1997. Despite Batman & Robin’s poor reception, Clooney briefly reprised the role at the end of 2023’s The Flash, but the acclaimed actor may have more success in a completely different superhero franchise.

Following his unexpected return in The Flash, George Clooney revealed to Entertainment Tonight that he would not be reprising the role again, noting that there aren’t “enough drugs in the world for [him] to go back again.” Instead, Clooney has recently been rumored to be in talks with Marvel Studios to claim a role in the MCU (via Comicbookmovie.com), meaning his superhero career might not be over just yet. Under the watchful eye of Marvel Studios, George Clooney may be able to thrive as any number of strong Marvel characters.

10

Nick Fury Sr.

George Clooney May Have Been In Talks To Portray Nick Fury In The 2000s

Samuel L. Jackson’s incarnation of Nick Fury, who has been in the MCU since 2008’s Iron Man, is based on the Ultimate Universe’s version of the character. The original Nick Fury from Marvel Comics has never been seen in the MCU, but there were previous rumors that George Clooney may have been in with a chance of playing the classic version of the SHIELD Director back in the 2000s. Supposedly, Clooney took his name out of the running because of the violent nature of the original Nick Fury, but this casting could be revived in the MCU’s future.

The original Nick Fury debuted in Marvel Comics in 1963 as a member of the Howling Commandos during World War II. Clooney has taken part in several war films over the years, including The Men Who Stare At Goats, Three Kings, and The Monuments Men, so he could bring a gruff energy to this role in the MCU. Whether this be a role in the mainstream MCU timeline, or as a variant of Nick Fury from another reality, this would be a great way to pay homage to the character’s Marvel Comics history.

9

The Beyonder

George Clooney Has The Gravitas To Portray The Beyonder In Secret Wars

As the cosmic entity behind Marvel Comics’ original Secret Wars event in 1984, the Beyonder would mark a very powerful debut for George Clooney in the MCU. The Beyonder, curious about the Earth’s superpowered beings, plucked various heroes and villains out of their lives and brought them to Battleworld to fight each other. The entity later takes on a human form to learn more about humanity itself, but threatens the multiverse in the process. The Beyonder has been heavily rumored to feature in Avengers: Secret Wars.

George Clooney has the perfect balance of sophistication and playfulness to portray this unusual character. The Beyonder is, at times, childlike, but also remarkably powerful, unpredictable, and volatile. This would give Clooney a lot of complexity and layers to work with, and since Phase 6’s upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars promises to be the biggest MCU project ever, it would make sense for an actor of Clooney’s caliber to want to be involved.

8

Senator Robert Kelly

George Clooney Would Be Great As X-Men’s Senator Robert Kelly

Initially depicted as one of the X-Men’s most consistent and dangerous human antagonists, Robert Kelly was a prominent United States Senator who built his career on an anti-mutant platform. Senator Kelly will surely play a huge role in the MCU’s X-Men reboot, just as Bruce Davison’s version of the villain did in 2000’s X-Men, and George Clooney would be an inspired choice for the character. At 63-years-old, Clooney is the perfect age to portray a stuck-in-his-ways Senator, but Robert Kelly could also be a long-running MCU role for the actor.

While Davison’s Senator Kelly was killed off in 2000’s X-Men, his Marvel Comics counterpart was around for a lot longer. Kelly’s evolution from the face of the anti-mutant movement to mutant ally was a gradual process that took place over several years. This could allow George Clooney to stick around in the MCU for a while, keeping his star-power and influence in the franchise for as long as possible, and making Senator Kelly’s transformation even more meaningful, before it ultimately leads to his assassination.

7

Kyle Richmond’s Nighthawk

George Clooney Could Use His Batman Skills As The MCU’s Nighthawk

In a possible hilarious twist, George Clooney could take what he learned as DC’s Batman and use these skills for the MCU’s Nighthawk. Kyle Richmond’s Nighthawk was originally introduced to Marvel Comics in 1969 as a member of the Squadron Sinister, whose members were based on DC’s Justice League of America. Nighthawk was Batman’s counterpart in the Squadron Sinister, though various other iterations also operated within SHIELD and the heroic Squadron Supreme. This would put a brilliant twist on Clooney’s superhero career.

After being orphaned, Kyle Richmond inherited Richmond Enterprises, and used his new wealth to search for a cure for his heart murmur, while also physically training himself. His dabbling in alchemy grants him mildly-enhanced abilities, allowing him to become Nighthawk. Although loosely based on Batman, Nighthawk is different enough that George Clooney may not have reservations about this casting, and this could even be a chance to redeem himself from his controversial past as the Caped Crusader.

6

Norman Osborn’s Green Goblin

George Clooney Could Put An Interesting Spin On Norman Osborn

Norman Osborn is one of the most significant Marvel Comics characters who hasn’t yet made his debut in the MCU, discounting Willem Dafoe’s appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Since Marvel Studios and Sony are developing a new trilogy of Spider-Man movies for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker, speculation has been rising that Norman Osborn could finally be introduced to the MCU, and George Clooney would be an inspired choice for the villain. One of the most recognizable actors ever would make sense as one of the greatest comic book villains of all time.

As well as being known as the Green Goblin, Norman Osborn presents a major threat during Marvel Comics’ Dark Reign and Siege events, which have been speculated to be adapted into the live-action MCU. Casting Clooney as the suave, sophisticated, cold, and intimidating Norman Osborn would be a great choice, particularly given his experience in other roles of this nature, including Mike Morris in The Ides of March. Casting Clooney as Norman Osborn would give him a pivotal role in several upcoming MCU projects.

5

Richard Rider’s Nova

George Clooney Could Play Richard Rider’s Nova (Before Sam Alexander Takes Over)

Marvel Studios recently provided definitive confirmation that a Nova series is in development for the MCU, though it’s unclear whether this will focus on the Richard Rider or Sam Alexander version of Nova from Marvel Comics. The prospect of George Clooney joining the MCU means the series could, in fact, deal with both, as Clooney would be perfect as an older, more hardened and seasoned version of Richard Rider, ready to train up Sam Alexander as his replacement. This would introduce a brilliant family dynamic to Nova’s cosmic storyline.

In Marvel Comics, human high schooler Richard Rider became Nova after being chosen by the last surviving member of the Nova Corps to replace him. Rider spends a great deal of time learning his powers unsupervised, before embarking on many cosmic adventures. Clooney’s version of Richard Rider would likely be coming to the end of his career, perhaps searching for a new character to take the reins, which could see him mirror his mentor-like roles, such as those in The Midnight Sky and Gravity.

4

Sebastion Gilberti’s Bastion

George Clooney Is Suave Enough To Bring X-Men ’97 Villain Bastion Into Live-Action

Following his successful, terrifying debut in Marvel Animation’s X-Men ’97 series, it’s possible that the cyborg villain Bastion could make the move to live-action. Although voiced by Theo James in X-Men ’97, George Clooney has a much more comic-accurate appearance to portray a live-action version of Bastion, and has the captivating and sultry voice to boot. Bastion is one of the X-Men’s most formidable foes, so this would be a strong role for Clooney to take on in the MCU, though Bastion may not make his live-action debut for some time.

Originally, Bastion was the product of the fusion of Sentinels Master Mold and Nimrod, though X-Men ’97 altered his backstory to make him more human-like. Bastion kick-starts Operation: Zero Tolerance, which targets mutantkind on a global scale, so it would be great to see George Clooney take on this wide-reaching role. This casting would be especially great as Bastion is also incredibly charming, which fits Clooney to a tee.

3

Charles Xavier’s Professor X

George Clooney Could Play A Variant Of Professor X

Some have suggested that George Clooney would bring a solid interpretation of Charles Xavier’s Professor X into the MCU. The leader of the X-Men was previously portrayed by Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy in Fox’s X-Men franchise, but Marvel Studios may find new avenues to take with the well-known character, reinventing him for the MCU. This could create the opportunity for Clooney to deliver a very different version of Professor X, perhaps one who is more manipulative and scheming than previously seen.

George Clooney is a similar age to Patrick Stewart when he first appeared as Professor X back in 2000’s X-Men. If Marvel Studios take a similar direction with the X-Men, introducing them as a fully-fledged team, Clooney would be a fantastic choice for Professor X, especially given his gravitas, screen presence, and experience in comedies, dramas, and action movies. While other actors have been suggested for this coveted and powerful role, George Clooney’s casting as Professor X would bring a level of prestige to the MCU’s X-Men stories.

2

Victor Von Doom’s Doctor Doom

George Clooney Would Be A Charismatic Doctor Doom

After Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige teased the development of The Fantastic Four back in 2019, there was speculation that the team’s archenemy, Doctor Doom, would also make his MCU debut. The Fantastic Four’s core cast was confirmed in February 2024, and, since then, several actors have been suggested for the role of Doctor Doom. Whoever takes the role needs to be able to deliver charisma, personality, and intimidation through a mask, and George Clooney would be an inspired choice given these parameters.

Since Doctor Doom is supposed to be a contemporary of Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four, Clooney’s advanced age compared to Mister Fantastic actor Pedro Pascal may be an issue. However, given theories that The Fantastic Four will be set in another reality, Clooney could be introduced as a variant of the Latverian ruler, so needn’t stick to the same rules as his Marvel Comics counterpart. Clooney would be brilliant as this iconic Marvel villain, though there may be a role even more tailor-made for George Clooney.

1

Tony Stark’s Iron Man

George Clooney Would Be Perfect As An Older Variant Of Tony Stark’s Iron Man

There aren’t many actors who could match Robert Downey Jr.’s performance as Tony Stark, but George Clooney could be up to the task. Both Downey Jr. and Clooney have a level of esteem that fits Tony Stark perfectly, so it would be fantastic to see Clooney cast as an older version of Iron Man, perhaps a variant from another reality. Stark has been depicted as an older man several times in Marvel Comics, and Clooney has the perfect appearance to bring the wiser genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist to the big screen.

Since the beginning of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, there has been speculation that a variant of Tony Stark could be introduced. Most prominently, many expected Superior Iron Man to appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but this didn’t come to pass. Casting George Clooney in the MCU could make these dreams come true, particularly since he has been a popular fan-cast for classic iterations of the armored Avenger, and he may be one of the few actors capable of filling Robert Downey Jr.’s shoes.