Somehow, the MCU is 11 years old with the franchise continuing to evolve year after year. Part of the reason for its success has been its extraordinary casting choices with every single actor or actress selected going down a storm with most of the fan base. When you’re looking to be successful that’s always the very first thing you need to get right.
With that in mind, we now look at 10 perfect casting choices made over the last decade - and explain our thinking behind each one.
Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man
We’d be making a big mistake if we didn’t start with Robert Downey Jr, the man who kickstarted the MCU with Iron Man way back in 2008. When it was announced he would be playing the role of the superhero many had their doubts - particularly given his chequered past.
But all these years on and nobody is questioning the decision now. Downey Jr was on his best behavior during all of the 11 movies he featured in and he’s enhanced Tony Stark’s reputation, making him one of the most iconic characters in modern-day cinema along the way. It’s just a shame we’ll not see more of him considering Iron Man was killed off in Avengers: Endgame.
Chris Evans as Captain America
Chris Evans had already featured in one superhero movie before being given the role of Captain America for 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. But while he performed well in Fantastic 4, the movie didn’t exactly set the world alight.
However, Evans as Cap did. He played the role of the morally flawless super soldier to perfection and grew to become one of many fans’ favorite characters during his time on the big screen. His performances in all three of his solo movies - as well as all four of his Avengers films - are memorable and a testament to how talented the actor is. And like Downey Jr, it’s a shame we won’t be seeing any more of him.
Josh Brolin as Thanos
When you’re looking for somebody to play arguably the biggest villain in Marvel history, you know you have to get it right. And the MCU did just that when they hired Josh Brolin to play Thanos during both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
What made Brolin so good was that he was able to find a balance within the character. In Infinity War he’s cold and calculated, a soldier impossible to stop as he goes about his mission. And, in Endgame, he’s bloodthirsty and brutal as he sets about stopping the Avengers from undoing his actions in the future. Brolin is unlikely to return, though, having been snapped by Iron Man in 2023.
Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury
Marvel risked a fan backlash when they picked Samuel L. Jackson, a black actor, to play the role of Nick Fury within the universe. However, Jackson’s fine performances as the character have silenced all his critics - not that there should have been any in the first place.
It speaks volumes that the Star Wars and Snakes on a Plane actor is still involved in the MCU today. Jackson smashes it in the role with his character both a badass and funny at the same time, an individual with significant depth to him for a comic book movie. And we can’t wait to see what Disney and Marvel have in store for his character as the films go on.
Chris Hemsworth as Thor
Two solo movies in and people still weren’t fully sold on Chris Hemsworth playing Thor. Sure, the two blockbusters were enjoyable enough, but the character paled in comparison to others within the MCU due to his bland personality and lack of stardust. However, that changed in Thor: Ragnarok and, since then, nobody has had any such criticisms.
Hemsworth has reinvented himself as the God of Thunder. He’s funny, he’s powerful and he also has an emotional side that came out during Avengers: Endgame that hadn’t been seen before. We’re glad he’s sticking around and can’t wait for when his fourth solo movie hits theatres in 2021. He’s definitely worthy.
Tom Holland as Spider-Man
When it was revealed that Spider-Man would be swinging his way into the MCU, Disney and Marvel knew they had to get things right. Tobey Maguire’s take on the character went down okay - Andrew Garfield’s not so much - and it was time to hire somebody who could do the web-slinger justice at long last.
Fortunately, Tom Holland has proved to be that person. He plays the role to perfection, mirroring the comic book version of Peter Parker and becoming one of the most popular heroes in the franchise. It’s a crying shame, therefore, that he won’t be in any more MCU movies from now on due to Disney and Sony’s failure to agree on a deal.
Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Tom Hiddleston actually auditioned for the role of Thor many years ago but lost out to Chris Hemsworth. His consolation prize was being given the role of the God of Thunder’s mischievous brother Loki instead and, while he no doubt would have liked the top gig, he’s brought the scheming villain to life.
Hiddleston’s take on the character is so good that, like the characters in the MCU, people are willing to forgive him for any dastardly things he decides to do. His death in Avengers: Infinity War was devastating but we’ll certainly be tuning in when his own TV series releases of Disney+ next year. That speaks volumes considering he’s gone in the main movies.
Danai Gurira as Okoye
Danai Gurira’s stock had risen during her time on The Walking Dead and, as a result, she was able to land the role of Okoye for 2018’s Black Panther. Yet while Chadwick Boseman and Letitia Wright have impressed in their roles as both T’Challa and Shruri respectively, Okoye has become one of the series’ most underrated characters.
Gurira plays the role of the stern and loyal soldier to perfection and her character comes across as somebody you wouldn’t want to cross. Our only complaint was that she wasn’t in Avengers: Endgame enough, particularly given she was among those who survived Thanos’ snap.
Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch is the definition of A-list but nearly didn’t get the role of Doctor Strange. Instead, it’s previously been claimed Marvel had their sights set on Joker frontman Joaquin Phoenix yet were turned down due to actor’s reluctance to sign on for more than one movie.
But while Phoenix’s performance as the Joker has sent the internet into meltdown, Marvel’s decision to go for Cumberbatch has paid off. The British actor showed his character to be arrogant and self-centered in his own solo movie but, during the two Avengers movies that followed, he transformed into a likable, powerful individual. We’re intrigued by what will happen when Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness comes out in 2021.
Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter
Hayley Atwell was a relative unknown before she was named as Peggy Carter for 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. But she’s now a household name - and with good reason.
Atwell was at the top of her game in Cap’s first solo outing, portraying the role of a stifled albeit strong woman during war times to perfection. So popular did she prove to be she was even given her own TV series and has made cameo appearances in Avengers: Endgame, Ant-Man, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. She is also proof that you don’t necessarily have to be a superhero in order to win people round. Being a brilliant soldier is good enough to do that too.
