Predicting MCU Phase 5 Post-Credits Scene’s Stunt Casting Characters

If Marvel Studios continues its stunt casting trend in Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, these characters could be introduced in upcoming movie post-credits scenes. The tactic of stunt casting throughout the last 15 years, but it became a prominent part of Marvel’s plans in Phase 4. Kevin Feige repeatedly used MCU post-credits scenes to introduce new heroes who could play a significant role leading up to Avengers: Secret Wars and during the film’s ultimate multiversal fight against Kang the Conqueror. As a result, there is some expectation that Phase 5 will continue the MCU’s stunt casting trend.

The first sign of Marvel’s Phase 4 stunt casting was meant to happen in Black Widow, as this was meant to be Julia Louis-Dryfus’ debut as Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine. Instead, audiences were introduced to Harry Styles’ Eros in Eternals‘ post-credits and saw Charlize Theron appear as Clea at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The latest piece of stunt casting came with Brett Goldstein’s appearance as Hercules in Thor: Love and Thunder. There are some fun possibilities ahead with the strong likelihood that the MCU Phase 5 movies will do stunt casting character reveals in their post-credits scenes.

1 Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania Stunt Casting Prediction: Iron Lad

There are several potential options for characters that Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania could include as a surprise. The MCU has already run through most of the major Ant-Man comic characters, which could mean that heroes or villains connected to the Quantum Realm could make sense. However, Ant-Man 3 is also meant to be a movie that fully introduces audiences to Kang the Conqueror, and it is known that his presence will continue to loom large leading up to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. This film does not feel like the right spot to introduce Reed Richards, despite his potential familial connection to Kang, creating another possibility.

Since Kang the Conqueror is one of the character’s more evil variants, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania‘s stunt casting might be for his heroic version: Iron Lad. In the comics, Iron Lad is a young Nathaniel Richards who travels to the past and becomes a hero and helps form the Young Avengers. Since Ant-Man 3 is already setting up the Young Avengers with Cassie Lang’s superhero transformation, introducing Iron Lad in the post-credits could be another surprising development on that front. Some potential MCU Phase 5 stunt casting options for Iron Lad could be Stranger Things star Caleb McLaughlin or Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse star Shameik Moore.

2 Guardians of the Galaxy 3 Stunt Casting Prediction: Nova

James Gunn could have a lot of options for Guardians of the Galaxy 3 stunt casting. The movie is meant to be the final appearance of the original iteration of the Guardians, but it is also expected to help set up the team’s future. This could include introducing new Marvel heroes who can help star in Guardians of the Galaxy 4. That could mean often-requested characters like Moondragon or Quasar. Marvel could also introduce major cosmic characters, such as Beta Ray Bill or Gladiator. If the MCU stunt casting trend continues in Phase 5 with Guardians of the Galaxy 3, introducing Nova would be ideal.

Richard Rider has long been a character in consideration to join the MCU, and it was confirmed in 2022 that Marvel hired writers to make a solo project. While James Gunn did not want any other human characters in the franchise to take away from Star-Lord, Gunn’s Marvel exit could mean he finally allows Nova to be introduced in the cosmic franchise. It would be a natural extension of the franchise since the Nova Corps were also in the first Guardians of the Galaxy. If Nova is part of MCU Phase 5’s stunt casting, Top Gun: Maverick breakout Glen Powell could be a perfect Richard Rider.

3 The Marvels Stunt Casting Prediction: Blue Marvel

Some exciting possibilities await for The Marvels‘ post-credits scene if the MCU stunt casting trend continues. The movie could introduce several characters connected to Captain Marvel in the comics to help tease Carol Danvers’ MCU future. The film also includes Monica Rambeau and Kamala Khan, so their comic histories and expected MCU roles going forward create other possibilities. This could include anyone from the Inhumans appearing to connect to The Marvels‘ Kree story and Kamala’s true origin. Marvel’s X-Men setup could even continue and have Rogue appear in a surprise scene.

Since the movie is known as The Marvels, its MCU Phase 5 stunt casting could be for another hero with “Marvel” in their name: Adam Brashear a.k.a. Blue Marvel. He could connect to the movie’s trend of featuring heroes with energy-based powers, bringing Anti-Matter and the Negative Zone into the MCU. Blue Marvel has also worked alongside Monica and Carol in the comics as members of the Ultimates, a team created by Captain Marvel to protect Earth from intergalactic threats. Casting Blue Marvel in The Marvels could bring anyone from Shamier Anderson (Invasion) to Mamoudou Athie (Jurassic World: Dominion) to John David Washington (Tenet).

4 Captain America: New World Order Stunt Casting Prediction: Luke Cage

The MCU stunt casting trend could bring some significant Marvel characters into Phase 5 with Captain America: New World Order. The movie will follow Sam Wilson’s Captain America as he battles a few Hulk villains and potentially re-assembles the Avengers. It is also expected that experiments to replicate Captain America’s super soldier serum will again be key to the story, just as in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. This opens the door for the movie to introduce some major characters whose powers derive from a version of the super soldier serum. This could include Wolverine or potential Thunderbolts villain Sentry.

Luke Cage is the better fit for Captain America: New World Order‘s post-credits stunt casting. The character’s origin is directly tied to experiments to recreate the super soldier serum that turned Steve Rogers into Captain America. Since Sam has already met the first Black Captain America in Isaiah Bradley, meeting another Black man whose life changed due to other serum experiments would be a natural extension of the story. This could mean Marvel Studios bringing Luke Cage actor Mike Colter back in the role. If Marvel looks to recast Luke Cage, someone like Trevante Rhodes (Moonlight) or Aldis Hodge (Black Adam) could be suitable options.

5 Thunderbolts Stunt Casting Prediction: Doctor Doom

Since Thunderbolts is bringing a new superteam of Marvel characters together for the first time, there are plenty of directions that a post-credits scene could go and characters that could be introduced. The movie is so far not confirmed to include a few mainstay team members in the comics, meaning that one of them could appear. Introducing anyone from Songbird, Moonstone, or Atlas could be an option, especially if Marvel finds an A-list or famous actor to join the MCU in a role meant to be a bigger deal in the future.

Instead of taking a potentially safer prediction for this MCU Phase 5 stunt casting possibility, Thunderbolts could be where Doctor Doom finally debuts. The post-credits appearance by one of Marvel’s biggest villains would fit somewhat in the villain-centric movie. Still, it also would be an opportunity for the MCU to introduce Doom before Fantastic 4 happens. The rationale for such a cameo could be connected to the Thunderbolts’ mission, as they could potentially and unknowingly interfere with Doom’s plans or do something to upset him. There is no shortage of options for actors who could play Doom, with Adam Driver among the most requested choices from fans.

6 Blade Stunt Casting Prediction: Ghost Rider

Blade marks the latest example of the MCU diving more into the supernatural, so its MCU Phase 5 stunt casting options are a bit more unique. For as much speculation as there is about Moon Knight, Werewolf by Night, or Black Knight appearing in the movie, Blade is the perfect place to expand the MCU’s roster of supernatural heroes. Ghost Rider is among the most popular of Marvel’s supernatural heroes and would be an ideal addition to the Phase 5 movie as a post-credits cameo. He would help set up Blade’s Midnight Sons future and help re-introduce a character Marvel is rumored to have been interested in using.

Casting Ghost Rider for a possible Blade appearance could go two different ways. The first is Marvel bringing back Gabriel Luna as Robbie Reyes after he played this version of Ghost Rider on Agents of SHIELD and had a spinoff show canceled. Luna’s recognizability has since increased thanks to roles in Terminator: Dark Fate and The Last of Us, so getting a chance to reprise the role after earning high praise for his original performance would be smart by Marvel Studios. If they want to continue the MCU stunt casting trend with Blade, this could be Kevin Feige’s chance to make Ryan Gosling’s wish of playing Ghost Rider come true.

7 Deadpool 3 Stunt Casting Prediction: MCU Wolverine

Deadpool 3 is meant to be the final installment of MCU Phase 5, and it is the most unpredictable place for Marvel’s stunt casting trend. Ryan Reynolds’ third entry in the franchise but first in the MCU could feature a number of surprises throughout its runtime. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine return means that anything is on the table, especially thanks to the multiverse. The film’s post-credits scene could even be another Deadpool fourth wall break. The inclusion of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine in Deadpool 3 gives the movie its perfect stunt casting opportunity: the MCU’s real Wolverine.

Since Deadpool 3 will spend the majority of its time with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman together in what could be a final ode to Fox’s X-Men franchise, the film introducing Jackman’s replacement for the MCU would be clever. It could allow Deadpool to explore the MCU and meet the new Wolverine, only to complain that he is not Hugh Jackman and reminiscence about the “good ole days.” Having Deadpool immediately mock any potential fan complaints about the next Wolverine actor could be hilarious, whether it is Taron Egerton or Daniel Radcliffe playing him in the MCU.