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TheMarvel Cinematic Universeis one of the most monumental picture franchise in chronicle , cemented by its roll of Avengers - but they were n’t all the only people to be considered for their various part . The box spot juggernaut has churn out 23 movies to engagement with a slew of Modern titles on the way . At the core of the dealership is its list of headlining cast member who have taken on the portrayal of pop superheroes , the Avengers being the most outstanding . Though the Avengers squad has grown in recent years , it started out as six audacious members .
When the MCU was first forming , the studio took days to lie out the basis with a few standalone movies to introduce viewing audience to their biggest figures . Between 2008 and 2011 , the franchise efficaciously put Iron Man , the Hulk , Thor , and Captain America in the spot while also premise names like Black Widow , Hawkeye , and many others . This was all buildup to the MCU ’s first major view outcome with the release ofThe Avengersin 2012 .
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By the timeThe Avengerswas let go , moviegoers were intimate with the main characters played by actors Robert Downey Jr. , Chris Evans , Chris Hemsworth , Scarlett Johansson , and Jeremy Renner . The only new actor to get together the mix as an Avenger was Mark Ruffalo . It was a very long unconscious process in place together this stellar mould , since many other names were considered for these coveted roles . That say , here ’s every big actor that could have been cast as an original member of the Avengers .
Tony Stark / Iron Man
Plans for a big - screenIron Manadaptation begin in 1990 and in the decades that follow , the moving-picture show right resile from studio to studio . In that clip , Nicolas Cage shared his pursuit in portray the titulary superhero and rich playboy , Tony Stark . Since the film never gain enough impulse , the actor missed out on the chance . By 2005 , Marvel received the right wing to the fictitious character and developed a project from scratch . Jon Favreau signed on to directthe movie a class later and he was tasked with find the arrant actor to portray Tony . In the other stages , Favreau want an unknown thespian in the role but that determination quickly change .
A few well - known thespian have revealed that they audition for the sought after role which would go on to pave the direction for the rest of the MCU . Tom Cruise was think but did n’t get very far in the audition process . The same could be said forTimothy Olyphant , who also make an audition in the 2000s . Even Hugh Jackman was consider , which might be surprising since he was already in the midst of depict Wolverine , another Marvel character . Lastly , Sam Rockwell throw his chapeau in the closed chain , and although he did n’t get the gig , he later received the prospect to play the baddie Justin Hammer inIron humanity 2 . In the end , Robert Downey Jr. emerged as the ideal candidate to roleplay Iron Man . The actor ’s performance inKiss Kiss Bang Bangis what rightfully sealed the raft , peculiarly in the eye of Favreau . Downey then effectively lead the MCU for the next decade - plus and help grow the franchise into what it is today .
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Thor
develop aThorfilm was another idea that take off in the 1990s . The adaption eventually fell back into the hands of Marvel and Kenneth Branagh signed on to manoeuvre . When the God of Thunder was being retch , Chris Hemsworth was n’t the producer ' first choice for the role . In the early stages , Daniel Craig was extend a probability to trifle the Asgardian but he was forced to turn it down due to his ongoing commitments with theJames Bondfranchise .
A handful of other popular names audition for Thor . Those actor included Charlie Hunnam , Alexander Skarsgård , Channing Tatum , and Joel Kinnaman . Chris ' untried crony , Liam Hemsworth , also tried out for the theatrical role but was run over . Professional grappler Paul Levesque ( aka Triple H ) was another name and although his physique put across the mental test , his horizontal surface of acting was n’t up to the required standards . After a bit of a back - and - forth , Chris Hemsworth emerge as the front - runner and went on to become a fan - favorite among the MCU . His time in the franchise is still far from over with another solo movie , Thor : Love and Thunder , on the way in 2022 .
Steve Rogers / Captain America
Steve Rogers was first introduce into the MCU with 2011’sCaptain America : The First Avenger . It process as the fifth movie in the franchise and the last movie beforeThe Avengersdebuted . Chris Evanswas cast in the role and the actor kick the bucket on to seem in 11 MCU installments to date , some through cameos and others in starring roles . Before get the character of Steve Rogers , Evans portrayed another Marvel character , Human Torch , for theFantastic Fourseries . In fact , the actor decline the office of Captain America multiple times before sign the multi - picture declaration . If Evans kept declining , Marvel Studios had a few other role player in mind .
A long leaning of actors try out out for the lead role including Channing Tatum , Garrett Hedlund , Dane Cook , Alexander Skarsgård , Jensen Ackles , Scott Porter , and Mike Vogel . Sam Worthington and Will Smith were read to get the uttermost in the cast process . Two other names that were link up to the role were Ryan Phillippe and John Krasinski . Fans have been compete forKrasinski to get a role in the MCUand there ’s still Bob Hope for future instalment . Sebastian Stan also made his MCU debut inThe First Avenger , and before he won the part of Bucky Barnes , the histrion first auditioned for the titular office . As for Evans , he may longer be Captain America , but he will also be the MCU ’s Steve Rogers .
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Bruce Banner / Hulk
The Hulk was the second character to get a solo film in the MCU but his path since then has been a little rocky . After the 2003 moving-picture show , Hulk , starring Eric Bana in the lead role , the film right to the fictitious character went back to Marvel . They decided to originate another adaptation , The Incredible Hulk , which served as the 2nd instalment in the MCU . This meter around , Edward Norton portray the role of Bruce Banner and was even set to reprise the use for 2012’sThe Avengers . Unfortunately for Norton , negotiations broke down and the role was remould .
Before Mark Ruffalo took over the purpose of the Hulk in 2012 , the histrion was considered for Louis Leterrier ’s 2008 filmbut recede out to Norton . When it came toThe Avengers , Marvel decided they wanted to go in a new direction with Bruce Banner on a originative level . This meant affect on from Norton and bringing on a new boldness to a enfranchisement . contrive Ruffalo was clearly the right choice since the doer has appeared in seven installments to escort ( including cameos ) .
Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow
Black Widow stay as one of the few members of the original Avengers to have their own solo MCU film . That was presuppose to modify with the release ofBlack Widowin May but due to the late theatrical holdup , the pic will now hit theaters in November . Black Widow , akaNatasha Romanoff , was first introduce in the franchise withIron piece 2 . Marvel was n’t just task with filling the role for that movie , but they also need a suited actress for the long - condition . Scarlett Johansson has notably play the role for over a decade but she was n’t the first actress to welcome an offer .
The actresses who were count for the 2010 film let in Jessica Biel , Gemma Arterton , Jessica Alba , and Angelina Jolie . Eliza Dushku also campaigned for the role but it ’s not clear if she ever audition . Another actress that auditioned was Natalie Portman who drop out on the role but was later range as Jane Foster inThor . Marvel entered talks with Emily Blunt to take on the role of Black Widow but the actress had to turn down the offer due to other commitment . Like her husband , John Krasinski , Blunt ’s name repeatedly come up when new character reference are being cast for the MCU .
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Clint Barton / Hawkeye
Clint Barton was the least known member of the Avengers to be featured in the first squad - up photographic film . The eccentric ofHawkeyewon’t be starring in a solo movie , but a boob tube series focused on the superhero is in development at Disney+ . Hawkeye first appeared inThorthrough an uncredited cameo . Jeremy Renner portrayed the minor role but it was no guarantee that he was set to reprise the role inThe Avengers .
When Marvel was still planning the bow for Hawkeye in theMCU , Jensen Ackles was the name highly considered . The studio liked Ackles when he try out for Captain America so his name was shortlist for succeeding roles . The actor could n’t take on the major role due to his scheduling withSupernaturalso Renner became the nerve of the skilled archer .
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