TheMarvel Cinematic Universehas featured several major stars as theAvengersacross four team movies so far, but afterAvengers: Secret Wars, the team could be rebooted, leading to popular characters getting recast. TheMCU’s Avengers moviesare extremely important for the franchise,bringing together the shared universe’s biggest heroes as part of the Avengersand even characters from other corners of the MCU, like the Guardians of the Galaxy.
2019’sAvengers: Endgameis the latest movie for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Without the Avengers being active, the MCU has struggled for the past few years, which should end soon, asthe MCU’s movie slate includes two upcoming Avengers films.2027’sAvengers: Secret Warswill conclude the Multiverse Saga, and it could create a whole new MCU.Avengers: Secret Warsis rumored to reboot the MCU, just like the Marvel Comics event of the same name did, and there are some talented actors to take over as major Avengers.
10Jonathan Groff
The Hulk
The Hulk has been played by two actors in the MCU, beingthe only original member of the Avengers to have already been recast. After Edward Norton first played Bruce Banner inThe Incredible Hulk, Mark Ruffalo assumed the role fromThe Avengersonwards. If the MCU ends up being rebooted, the star to replace Ruffalo would need to have the actor’s same skills in playing an intelligent, compassionate, and ultimately volatile character, bringing the Banner-Hulk dynamic to life.
Jonathan Groff is perfect for that. The star hasshown in Netflix’sMindhunterthat he can play someone like Bruce Banner, making the character’s calmer side shine just as much as the rage he carries inside. Groff’s roles in projects likeThe Matrix Resurrectionsserve as a showcase of his ability to go from calm and collected to angry and threatening with the flick of a switch, making him perfect for Banner’s situation.
9Aaron Pierre
Black Panther
Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing ended up cutting T’Challa’s MCU story short. Marvel Studios opted not to recast the role out of respect for the actor, with Letitia Wright’s Shuri taking over as the new Black Panther. If the MCU is rebooted afterAvengers: Secret Wars, thenMarvel could finally decide to bring T’Challa back into the fold, with a new actor taking over as Black Panther.
Aaron Pierre already has experience with superhero adaptations, having been a key part of DC’s Superman prequel series Krypton.
One of the best choices for the role almost joined the MCU. Aaron Pierre has become very popular as of late due tohis excellent action chops in Netflix’sRebel Ridge, showing the kind of determination and grit needed for the Black Panther role. The actor was once set to appear in theMCU’s Blade movie, but after rewrites, he revealed toVarietythat he is no longer attached, leaving Pierre free to become the new T’Challa.
8Phoebe Dynevor
Scarlet Witch
Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch has grown in popularity in the MCU since her introduction. After a prominent role in the last Avengers movies of the Infinity Saga, Olsen co-ledWandaVision, which put Wanda Maximoff on the top shelf of MCU characters. Sadly,the Scarlet Witch became a villain and killed several peopleinDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessbefore dying. While Olsen should return as Wanda for more, another talented star could play her after a possible reboot.
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Phoebe Dynevor is an interesting Hollywood up-and-comer who could make for an excellent Scarlet Witch. The actress rose to stardom in Netflix’sBridgerton, anchoring the first season of the romance series that would become one of the streamer’s biggest offerings. Dynevor has played both charismatic and darker, more unstable characters, making her the whole package for a complex Wanda. Aftertrying out for the DC Universe’s Lois Lane, she could join comic book movies at Marvel instead.
7Dan Stevens
Doctor Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange is one of the most important heroes in the MCU. The character should play a major role in the next two Avengers movies, withDoctor Strange 3likely to happen, which could cement the end of his time as the character after more than a decade. After Cumberbatch made the role his own, whoever could play Doctor Strange in an MCU reboot would have his work cut out for him.
Stevens' work as Legion (David Haller) in the series of the same name showed that he has quite the range, playing a character that dealt with the constant conflict between what was real or not.
Dan Stevens already has the Marvel experience playing a very complex character, which makes him an interesting choice for someone like Doctor Strange. Stevens' work as Legion (David Haller) in the series of the same name showed that he has quite the range, playing a character that dealt with the constant conflict between what was real or not. Throughout his career,Stevens' roles have shown that he can also nail Strange’s signature sarcasm.
6Sydney Sweeney
Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson is back in the MCU, but she will be an executive producer inThunderbolts*, not returning as Black Widow. Unless some multiverse-related events bring back the character, Natasha Romanoff will have been absent from the big screen for six years whenAvengers: Secret Warspossibly reboots the MCU. There isa perfect actress to bring Nat back and lead a Black Widow movie franchise.
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Sydney Sweeney has become one of Hollywood’s most in-demand young stars. The actress' dramatic chops have been showcased in projects likeEuphoria,Immaculate, andNocturne. WhileMadame Webfailed, Sweeney was not one of the film’s problems, and the MCU could give her the exciting Marvel franchise that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe failed to. Sweeney has shown that she can lead high-profile projects, and the star’s roles possess the same charm, fierceness, and dark edge Black Widow is known for.
5Joshua Bassett
Spider-Man
Tom Holland’sSpider-Man 4is aiming to start filming in early 2025. Peter Parker is one of the most popular superheroes in live-action, with all cinematic versions of the hero being well-received, though Holland’s has found the biggest financial success.Spider-Man should have a long future in the MCU, which could even include Holland staying after the rumoredAvengers: Secret Warsreboot. However, sinceHolland made negative comments about playing Spider-Man after he is 30, the role could be recast.
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If the MCU uses Peter Parker for its Spider-Man after Holland is done and not Miles Morales, then Joshua Bassett would be perfect for the role. The 23-year-old actor could once again bring a younger Spider-Man to life, playing the role for more than a decade. In Disney+‘sHigh School Musical: The Musical: The Series,Bassett’s Ricky had the same vibrant, nerdy, and endearing energy Peter Parker displays.
4Glen Powell
Hawkeye
Following Jeremy Renner’s snowplow accident,Hawkeye’s MCU future is up in the air. While Renner wants to return, how much he would be able to physically do as a superhero is unknown. More than that, the MCU was already setting up the perfect way for Clint Barton to exit, with Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop taking over as the new Hawkeye. If the MCU is rebooted, Clint is one of the most likely to be recast.
The star comes from a string of hits, showing how Powell could make Hawkeye a major MCU hero.
Glen Powell is the ideal choice tobring a more comic book-accurate version of Hawkeye to life. While Renner was great, not only does Powell physically resemble the comics’ Clint Barton more, but the actor can also bring Hawkeye’s brazen personality to the MCU. The star comes from a string of hits, showing how Powell could make Hawkeye a major MCU hero.
3Liam Hemsworth
Thor
Chris Hemsworth’s Thor is one of the MCU’s longest-running heroes. With four movies, he currently stands as the Marvel Studios star with the most solo entries. It is likely that Hemsworth returns forThor 5, which could end his time in the MCU, and one or both of the upcoming Avengers movies, asDeadpool & Wolverineteased a future Thor story.
After the actor is done with the franchise, Hemsworth’s perfect replacement could be his own brother. Before Chris was cast,Liam Hemsworth was a frontrunner to play Thor. However,Marvel felt like the actor was too young for the role at the time. Now at 34, Hemsworth is the perfect age for the hero. When the possible MCU reboot comes along, he will have starred in one or two seasons of Netflix’sThe Witcheras Geralt of Rivia, cementing his status to play a major action hero like Thor.
2Nicholas Hoult
Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Iron Man is the most important to the MCU. Tony Stark was the character who started it all, and RDJ is now coming back to the franchise. He will play Doctor Doom, the main villain of the next two Avengers movies, which could also include a surprise role as a multiverse variant of Iron Man.
However, there is no way Downey would continue in the franchise as Tony Stark afterAvengers: Secret Wars. Given the character’s popularity, a proven star like Nicholas Hoult would be the ideal casting for the role.Hoult will play Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s Superman reboot and the DCU, with the character being just as smart and rich as Stark. Hoult’s role inThe Greatas Emperor Peter III also shows that he can bring Tony Stark’s sarcasm, charisma, and scene-stealing persona to life perfectly.
1Zac Efron
Captain America
While RDJ’s Iron Man came first, Chris Evans' Captain America was just as important for the franchise’s success.Evans has repeatedly said that he is unlikely to play Steve Rogers again, so even if he comes back, it will most likely be for a one-off Multiverse Saga role. That means either Sam Wilson would be the only Captain America after a possible reboot, or Steve Rogers would be recast.
Zac Efron would make for an excellent Steve Rogers, with his acclaimed turn inThe Iron Clawshowing that the star has the action and dramatic chops to play such a major role. Efron is extremely popular, which would help get the possible MCU reboot rolling, with fans asking him to join Marvel for years. Efron has had many roles, like his famous Troy Bolton, that make him great for a leader figure like Captain America, being front and center of anAvengersreboot.
Avengers: Secret Wars
Cast
Avengers: Secret Wars is an anticipated installment in Phase 6 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, serving as the finale of The Multiverse Saga. Scheduled for release in December 2027, the film’s plot remains under wraps, fueling curiosity about its role in the expansive Marvel narrative.
