Content Warning! This List Contains Spoilers For Season 4 of Stranger Things!
The latest season of Stranger Things was a raving success, reinvigorating the eager fanbase after a three-year hiatus. The fifth season will soon be in the works with the Duffer Brothers set to start writing for the fifth and final season shortly. One thing that’s certain from Stranger Things is that the main cast has set themselves up for bright futures.
As per other popular stories, David Harbour (who plays Jim Hopper) has already done it, crossing into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Red Guardian in Black Widow, and perhaps others will follow. It’s likely that several cast members are being considered for all sorts of different roles now, so should they join the MCU, here is who they could play.
Winona Ryder – Karnilla
Thor: Love and Thunder expanded the pantheons of the MCU by bringing our heroes to Omnipotent City and introducing the likes of Zeus, Hercules, Bast, and more. As such, there are many more gods left for the MCU to explore, and Winona Ryder would definitely be a good candidate for several. She could make for a compelling Olympian in Hercules’ story or better yet, an Asgardian.
Specifically, she could come into play as Karnilla, the Queen of the Norns (the Fates in Norse mythology) and an exceptionally powerful sorceress. Karnilla’s primarily been an antagonistic figure, so it would be exciting to see Ryder take on that responsibility.
Millie Bobby Brown – Gwen Stacy
Millie Bobby Brown has some of the best potential from the Stranger Things cast to appear, given her popularity and fantastic performance as Eleven, and as such there are plenty of characters she’d be a good fit for. An interesting proposition is Gwen Stacy.
Following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter has sacrificed his relationship with MJ, so if Spider-Man 4 happens it seems likely that Gwen Stacy will come into play. This could be as a new classmate or even as her multiversal counterpart, Ghost Spider. This would allow Millie to show off another side of her as a performer and she’d be the next in line of popular actresses who played the role, after Emma Stone and Bryce Dallas Howard.
Finn Wolfhard – Nova
Mike has been often treated as the leader of the kids throughout Stranger Things, and allowing Finn Wolfhard into the MCU would further open up that opportunity. Specifically, he would be a good fit for Sam Alexander aka Nova, a young, yet powerful cosmic hero.
A Nova project was recently announced for the MCU, but there’s very little known about it, including who the headlining character is. That is something hopefully fans will learn more about soon at an event like Comic-Con or D23. Regardless, Wolfhard could definitely match Alexander’s energetic personality with his confidence, all while not missing the emotional beats.
Gaten Matarazzo – Thunderstrike
Gaten Matarazzo’s Dustin is arguably one of the most loveable characters in Stranger Things and that’s because he’s able to work well with really any of his castmates. He could bring that charisma and volley well with the talents in the MCU, so Matarazzo could make for a fun take on Thunderstrike.
In the comic, Kevin Masterson is the son of the first Thunderstrike, Eric, who served as Thor’s host for a time before getting his own magical mace from Odin. Matarazzo is unexpected for the role, but it could end up being a great fit, helping Thor or Valkyrie. This could also let him on the roster for the MCU Young Avengers team, giving him even more characters to play off.
Caleb McLaughlin – Iron Lad
Like his castmates, Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas demonstrated that he can have an exceptional career ahead of him, and he would be a welcome sight in the MCU. Naturally, many people would suggest him for Mile Morales, someone who fans are clamoring for in live-action, and he would make a great choice. However, there might still be a better option, which is Iron Lad.
Iron Lad is a prominent member of the Young Avengers, who have gradually been introduced in the MCU over Phase Four. What set him apart, however, is that he is actually a young Kang the Conqueror who traveled to the past to avert his fate as a villain. With Kang officially coming into play in Loki and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, played by Jonathan Majors, McLaughlin as Iron Lad seems like a perfect fit.
Noah Schnapp – Iceman
Ms. Marvel did what no one expected, which is officially bringing mutants into the MCU. This is something that has been at the core of what fans have wanted throughout Phase Four, and now it opens the door wide for the arrival of the X-Men. Noah Schnapp, in particular, would make for a great Iceman.
Bobby Drake aka Iceman is actually one of the original X-Men but he’s been largely overshadowed by his teammates. Regardless, he is actually one of the few omega-level mutants and therefore one of the most powerful. This would be a great opportunity for Schnapp as he can emulate Iceman’s personality and inner turmoil, all while showing his growth from teen to adult hero.
Sadie Sink – Phoenix
Sadie Sink certainly had a stellar season in Stranger Things and it got many fans sharing their appreciation and excited reactions on Twitter. Like Noah Schnapp, Sink’s also shown that she could be a good fit for one of the strongest mutants out there, Jean Grey.
As in the comics, many fans are hoping they introduce some young actors as the X-Men as opposed to the primarily-adult cast in Fox’s X-Men franchise. This would allow these characters and actors to grow up in real-time and make it feel as authentic as it can. Sink has already shown she has the emotional acting chops to take on the role of Phoenix. Plus it would showcase her as someone completely different than Max.
Natalia Dyer – Shadowcat
As Nancy, Natalia Dyer’s showcased many facets of her as an actor. In the MCU, she could take all she’s learned and run with it as a fan-favorite hero, Kitty Pryde, better known as Shadowcat.
Though she’s not one of the original members of the team, Kitty has become of the most beloved and endearing, headlining her own series and serving as one of the X-Men’s most integral members. As such, fans hope she’s featured as soon as possible in the MCU, and Dyer is the right fit to do so. She would definitely be able to bring Pryde’s characteristic ingenuity and charm, and it would be interesting to see how she’d play off whoever’s set to play Wolverine.
Charlie Heaton – Cannonball
Charlie Heaton has already spent some time as a mutant, having played Sam Guthrie aka Cannonball in The New Mutants. While the movie was shaky and not well received, it still could lead to something in the MCU with Heaton returning to the role.
He could also take on one of the many different mutants now available to the MCU, but it would be nice to give him another chance. If Sam Guthrie were to come to the MCU, it likely would be farther down the line, but it would also allow for his many siblings to come to feature too.
Joe Keery – Human Torch
Joe Keery is one of the breakout stars of the series and fans are eager to see what he’ll do next. His best option is guaranteed to be introduced soon, which is Johnny Storm aka Human Torch. The introduction of the Fantastic Four is something MCU fans have been theorizing over for a long time.
Keery seems like a perfect fit for Human Torch, being able to emulate his charisma and status as a heartthrob, but mixing in a genuine vulnerability that could make the character stand out from previous portrayals. This could also set Keery up as one of the headlining figures in the MCU. Whether it’s him or not, Marvel will be announcing the cast for Fantastic Four soon.
Maya Hawke – Squirrel Girl
Maya Hawke already has a connection to the MCU now that her father, Ethan Hawke, starred as Arthur Harrow in Moon Knight. She could also find her way into the franchise as an obscure character. Specifically, she could make for a great fit as the underrated heroine Squirrel Girl.
Squirrel Girl was almost introduced in New Warriors, but it was never picked up. However, now that the television side is wrapped into the main continuity, Squirrel Girl could finally arrive. Hawke would definitely be fun in that role and introduce her to mainstream audiences.
