Marvel Characters Who Were Recast

Highlights

Replacements are common in Marvel movies, like Ross Marquand taking on Red Skull after Hugo Weaving’s departure.
Mark Ruffalo stepped in for Edward Norton as Bruce Banner, bringing a different energy to the beloved character.
Don Cheadle took over the role of James Rhodes from Terrence Howard, who left due to payment disputes.

As a longtime fan of superhero movies, I’ve witnessed some intriguing behind-the-scenes transformations throughout the years. Among these fascinating tales is the evolution of iconic characters and their portrayers.

As an avid fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I’ve noticed how dynamic and ever-evolving it is. It’s no wonder that sometimes, actors move on or get replaced by new talents for various projects. Throughout the years, there have been numerous Marvel films where familiar faces have been swapped out in sequels and spin-offs.

In both the classic Fox Marvel stories and the modern Marvel Cinematic Universe, several films have successfully kept using familiar characters while avoiding the need for drastic makeovers. Here are some noteworthy examples:

5 Red Skull

Hugo Weaving To Ross Marquand

Portrayed by Hugo Weaving in Captain America: The First Avenger (2009)
Portrayed by Ross Marquand in Avengers: Infinity War (2018), Avengers: Endgame (2019), and What If…? (2021-present)

As a huge fan, I can tell you that Red Skull, portrayed by the brilliant Hugo Weaving, has always been a persistent and formidable adversary for Captain America during World War II. He was the First Avenger’s first significant enemy to challenge him. In the movies, Weaving brought an unsettling level of insanity to the character, most notably when he unveiled his own skull after removing the mask that previously concealed it. The chilling scene left a lasting impression on me as a viewer.

It’s not surprising that Hugo Weaving didn’t appear in more superhero movie installments since he’s seldom expressed fondness for big-budget productions. As a result, Ross Marquand took over the role of Red Skull in both films. While Marquand effectively portrays Red Skull on screen, giving an impressive Hugo Weaving-like performance, he has also lent his voice to other Marvel projects, such as voicing Charles Xavier in “X-Men ’97”.

4 Bruce Banner

Mark Ruffalo Replaces Edward Norton

Portrayed by Edward Norton in The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Portrayed by Mark Ruffalo in The Avengers and subsequent appearances (2012-present)

I was thrilled when Mark Ruffalo was announced as the chosen actor to bring Bruce Banner, aka the Hulk, to life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s films. Excitingly enough, this decision was made even before the initial Hulk movie. However, it wasn’t until 2012 and The Avengers that I saw Ruffalo embody the character on the big screen. Prior to that, Edward Norton had been cast in the role due to his impressive resume of portraying complex and troubled characters.

Attorney At Law.” He jokes, “That fight was so long ago, I’ve changed so much – literally” (emphasis mine). Mark Ruffalo has portrayed Hulk extensively for over a decade, while Edward Norton may have declined due to the extensive commitment required and the limited focus on solo Hulk projects.

3 James Rhodes

Terrence Howard Leaves For Don Cheadle To Claim The Mantle

Portrayed by Terrence Howard in Iron Man (2008)
Portrayed by Don Cheadle in Iron Man 2 and subsequent appearances (2010-present)

Terrence Howard initially brought Lt. Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes to life in the first-ever Marvel Cinematic Universe film, “Iron Man.” Yet, it was Don Cheadle who eventually put on the War Machine armor in subsequent installments such as “Iron Man” sequels and “Avengers” series.

Terrence Howard chose not to reprise his role as Rhodey because of contract issues, a situation frequently encountered by actors in the superhero film industry. Consequently, Don Cheadle took on the task of portraying the complex evolution of this longtime friend of Tony Stark’s character.

2 Sabertooth

Tyler Mane Is Replaced By Liev Schreiber (Then Tyler Mane Replaces Liev Schreiber)

Portrayed by Tyler Mane in X-Men (2000) and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

Portrayed by Liev Schreiber in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

In many stories, Victor Creed, also known as Sabertooth, is depicted as Wolverine’s main adversary. He makes an appearance in the 2000 film “X-Men” as a villain alongside Magneto’s Brotherhood of Mutants, with Tyler Mane bringing him to life on screen. The backstory is expanded in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” where he is revealed to be Wolverine’s half-brother instead. In this adaptation, Liev Schreiber takes on the role, making it more familiar to audiences.

Mane explained that Schreiber was replaced in “Deadpool & Wolverine” (2024) because of their striking resemblance to Hugh Jackman, who had portrayed Schreiber’s ancestor in “Kate and Leopold” (2001). This wasn’t the first time they shared the screen as relatives.

1 Thanos

Josh Brolin Takes Over From Damion Poitier

Portrayed by Damion Poitier in The Avengers (2012)
Portrayed by Josh Brolin in Guardians of the Galaxy and subsequent appearances (2014-present)

As a gamer, I can’t help but reflect on the epic journey of Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). I may have cheered when Josh Brolin took on the role in “Infinity War,” but let’s not overlook Damion Poitier’s crucial contribution. In the early days, before “Infinity War,” it was actually Poitier who brought Thanos to life in various MCU films. At the end of “Avengers,” I was surprised and intrigued as I saw Poitier make his debut as the Mad Titan.

I find it intriguing how different the two portrayals of Thanos are. While Brolin’s version relies heavily on special effects and motion capture technology, Poitier’s interpretation is more grounded in reality. In my opinion as a fan, Poitier donned an authentic costume and layered on extensive purple makeup to bring the character to life for that short post-credits scene.

2024-07-15 07:04