The Marvel Cinematic Universe has always found a good balance between casting little-known actors and casting some of the biggest stars in Hollywood. For every Chris Hemsworth or Simu Liu, who essentially had their careers launched by their Marvel roles, the studio would cast a Brie Larson or a Michael Douglas. With the MCU timeline having now been going on for well over a decade, the universe has grown yet larger, and even more great performers have been lured to join. This is especially true for Marvel’s 2025 movie roster, which sees a wide variety of stars set to join the franchise.

Following a lighter year in 2024, 2025 is intended to be a big year for Marvel Studios. While the Thunderbolts* cast is filled chiefly with returning stars from the MCU, Captain America: Brave New World intends to introduce some exciting new characters, and The Fantastic Four‘s multiverse setting needs to be made from an entirely new cast. With Blade still set to release in 2025, a great deal of new characters will be joining the MCU, and familiar faces will play a fair number of them.

10

Natasha Lyonne

The Fantastic Four

Natasha Lyonne has had a long career in Hollywood, starring in films like But I’m a Cheerleader and American Pie in the 1990s and continuing to work steadily throughout the years. A spunky performer with an unusual, blasé charm, Lyonne’s effortless cool has recently found the actor appearing in more contemporary projects. Lyonne starred in Russian Doll on Netflix to great acclaim, and has most recently led the detective series Poker Face.

Natasha Lyonne recently joined the growing cast for The Fantastic Four in an undisclosed role. She will certainly be an asset to an already wonderful cast, although exactly how she could best be used is unclear. Her wit and voice could suit a cosmic CGI character just as well as a human, with a popular fancasting theory placing her as The Thing’s girlfriend, Alicia Masters.

9

Joseph Quinn

The Fantastic Four

Joseph Quinn has quickly become one of the most in-demand stars in the world. Following a star-making turn in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things as fan-favorite character Eddie Munson, the actor has been in talks for all kinds of roles in all sorts of projects. In 2024, he co-led A Quiet Place: Day One alongside Lupita Nyong’o, and he will next be appearing in the highly anticipated Gladiator II.

Next year, Quinn will follow in the footsteps of superstars Chris Evans and Michael B. Jordan in playing Johnny Storm. A different kind of actor who exudes a different kind of cool, Quinn’s charm and ability promise to play a major part in the upcoming film. Seeing how Quinn fits into the MCU and its upcoming stories is set to be a bright spot in the franchise’s future.

8

Vanessa Kirby

The Fantastic Four

Vanessa Kirby has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors. She rose to prominence on Netflix’s The Crown where she played Princess Margaret. Following this, Kirby has appeared in action films and dramas alike, appearing in movies like Mission: Impossible – Fallout and Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and gaining award recognition for dramatic portrayals in films like Pieces of a Woman.

Kirby will play Sue Storm in The Fantastic Four and, if early rumors still apply, may be the lead of the film. With her talent and screen presence, the actor is a perfect choice for The Invisible Woman. Imagining future interactions with figures like Namor the Sub-Mariner who have comic Fantastic Four ties – and the character’s integration into the Multiverse Saga and potentially beyond – becomes more exciting with such a strong performer.

7

Giancarlo Esposito

Captain America: Brave New World

Giancarlo Esposito has built a career out of playing villains, and it appears that the pattern will not end in 2025. After casting rumors suggested the performer was interested in playing a hero in the MCU, new set photos seemingly confirmed that Giancarlo Esposito would be playing a villain in Captain America: Brave New World. This is supposed to be a smaller role that the actor has said will lead to an appearance in a series, although his role in the Brave New World trailer seems quite prominent.

Following villainous turns in The Mandalorian and The Boys, Esposito has carved a niche for himself with his cold, stoic demeanor, though he’s also proved himself as capable of playing a far broader range across the course of his history. The actor has been around for decades, but it wasn’t until his portrayal of Gus Fring on Breaking Bad that he became one of Hollywood’s most sought-after performers. With experience, range, and an ability to express an indomitable will for his characters, Esposito will make a strong addition to the MCU.

6

Anthony Ramos

Ironheart

Anthony Ramos has been rising in Hollywood these past years. The actor first came to fame after a run on Broadway in the mega-hit musical Hamilton and has been appearing in prominent movie and TV projects ever since. Most prominently, the actor appeared in the cast of In the Heights and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and is set to next appear in Twisters.

Ramos will be playing The Hood on the Disney+ series Ironheart. With ties to the spiritual realm, The Hood is a new kind of supervillain that will tie the world of technology to the world of magic and the occult. Ironheart is currently intended to be released near September of 2025, allowing audiences to see Ramos appear alongside Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams on-screen.

5

Rosa Salazar

Captain America: Brave New World

Rosa Salazar has had a successful career in Hollywood for years, appearing in various films and television. The actor is perhaps best known for portraying the titular character in the James Cameron-produced Alita: Battle Angel. Based on the Gunnm manga, Salazar was animated over her performance in the film, but her ability and charm shone through the CGI visage.

Following appearances in The Maze Runner films, Salazar also led the trippy and strange Prime Video series Undone in another animated role. She is intended to show her natural face, however, in the upcoming Captain America: Brave New World where she will be playing the villain Diamondback, setting up a promising opportunity for the actor to flex her ability to make larger-than-life worlds and characters feel real. Notably, this Diamondback has nothing to do with the villain of the same name in Luke Cage.

4

John Malkovich

The Fantastic Four

John Malkovich has had a long, successful career in Hollywood. Starring in films like Of Mice and Men and Con Air, the actor built such a following that Charlie Kaufman wrote Being John Malkovich, a meta film that required the famed performer to play himself. Following several Academy Award nominations, the performer has built an incredible resume and will lend his talents to the MCU in 2025.

Malkovich’s role in The Fantastic Four has not been disclosed. However, the actor’s casting feels analogous to the great Michael Douglas as Hank Pym in the Ant-Man films. Malkovich, who nearly played the Vulture in Sam Raimi’s canceled Spider-Man 4, will likely play a human character – perhaps even one of the heroes’ fathers, if some theories are to be believed.

3

Mia Goth

Blade

Mia Goth, currently one of the most prominent actors, made a mark with her roles in High Life and Emma. Her performances in X and Pearl further solidified her star status. In her latest project, Maxxxine, she delivers her most bizarre, compelling, and disturbing performance yet, showcasing her unparalleled versatility.

There are strong rumors that Mia Goth will portray the villainous Lillith in the highly anticipated Blade reboot. Her unique presence is expected to add a new dimension to the film, especially alongside Mahershala Ali’s return to the MCU. Even in the midst of intense action, a Mia Goth performance is impossible to ignore.

2

Pedro Pascal

The Fantastic Four

Pedro Pascal has already played a villain in the DCEU in Wonder Woman 1984, and now he is finally crossing over to the MCU. The actor, who rose to prominence during a season-long appearance in Game of Thrones, has grown in popularity and fame throughout the years, starring in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us.

Pascal has captured the hearts of audiences with his dad-like look and charm and will next appear beside his Fantastic Four co-star Joseph Quinn in Gladiator II. After a rotation of rumored names for the role, including Adam Driver, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Matt Smith, Pascal was cast in The Fantastic Four as Reed Richards. As the anchor for Marvel’s first family, they couldn’t have chosen anyone more stable.

1

Harrison Ford

Captain America: Brave New World

One of the biggest stars of all time, carpenter-turned-actor Harrison Ford will join the MCU in Captain America: Brave New World as Thaddeus Ross. The recasting came as a surprise following the passing of William Hurt, although Ford is an excellent choice to succeed Hurt. Following iconic roles in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford has become one of the most enjoyable actors to see onscreen, with a considerable selection of past work that demonstrates his acting prowess effectively and efficiently.

While his more recent work has leaned into the gruff, grumpy side of Ford, the actor still has a dynamic range, as evidenced by his performance in the Apple TV+ series Shrinking. Still, even if the actor approaches his MCU role solely in this gruffer manner, Ford will add a great deal of gravitas to the film. Following the recent trailer, he may also transform into the villainous Red Hulk, which could make for some of the most wildly exciting and fun moments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.