10 Huge Actors Who Really Want To Be In Comic Book Movies

Summary

• A-list actors like Jon Hamm are eager to score superhero roles, but face obstacles like recasting and project cancelations.
• Keane Reeves and Norman Reedus share enthusiasm for comic book movies, eyeing supernatural roles in the future.
• Celebrities like Tom Hanks, Al Pacino, and Terry Crews are open to diving into the superhero genre for future projects.

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For as many big-name actors as comic book movies have been able to snag, plenty of A-list celebrities have yet to get their hands on a superhero property, and not for lack of trying. It’s no secret that superhero universes like the movies of the MCU are heavily reliant on their leading stars to make an impact, as the irreverent personalities of a given comic book character are assigned to talented actors. But not every performer with enthusiasm for the genre has been able to stake a claim in it.

There are many reasons why this can be the case. Sometimes, interested actors are narrowly re-cast in superhero roles, just losing out on playing their dream character to another star. In other instances, planned projects simply never materialize due to the dizzying number of factors that can halt production on big-budget films wielding recognizable intellectual property. In any case, it’s the enthusiasm of some actors that remains, despite having no current superhero prospects, that fuels fan speculation about future appearances.

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10 Jon Hamm

Could work for a number of Marvel roles

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Jon Hamm is a well-known actor who makes a big impression in the limited number of projects he does choose to appear in. First making a name for himself in AMC’s hit period drama Mad Men, the man behind Don Draper has since gone on to star in blockbuster action films like Baby Driver and Top Gun: Maverick while continuing to flex his dramatic TV muscles in series like Fargo. One niche that has continued to elude him, however, is a presence in a high-profile comic book property.

Jon Hamm has alluded to being in talks for a Marvel Cinematic Universe role

In a semi-recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jon Hamm has alluded to being in talks for a Marvel Cinematic Universe role, suggesting a clear enthusiasm for the tentpole series, even going as far as to come forward himself to vie for certain characters. Characters Jon Hamm could play in the MCU range from famed X-Men villain Mr. Sinister to the iconic megalomaniac tyrant Doctor Doom. Hopefully it won’t be too much longer before fans can expect to see Hamm finally check the MCU off his dream casting wish list.

9 Keanu Reeves

Could embody either Marvel or DC’s supernatural side

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Few faces have as high a pedigree when it comes to carrying blockbuster action franchises like Keanu Reeves’. From The Matrix trilogy to John Wick to Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, Keanu Reeves has a demonstrative ability to inject a given franchise with longevity and purpose, a talent sorely needed in the comic book movie space. While Reeves has flirted with comic book films with an appearance in 2005’s Constantine, playing the titular chain-smoking magician, his enthusiasm for a meatier superhero role remains.

Keanu Reeves has openly discussed his excitement for the superhero space multiple times, even name-dropping lesser-known character Ghost Rider in an interview with Jimmy Kimmel Live. It seems like Reeves will soon get his wish to portray a supernatural hero once more in the upcoming Constantine 2. That being said, a role in the MCU still wouldn’t be unwarranted, and it’s hard not to feel like Reeves’ legacy in comic book movies is only just beginning.

8 Norman Reedus

Is eager to ride into the MCU

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Keanu Reeves isn’t the only high-profile celebrity to have shown an interest in Ghost Rider. Norman Reedus became well known for his portrayal of survivor Daryl Dixon in AMC’s The Walking Dead, catching the eye of audiences with his effortlessly cool delivery and affinity with motorcycles, calling back to these skills in 2024’s The Bikeriders. But Reedus has also reacted with enthusiasm to a fan-casting as the Marvel universe’s premiere motorcycle-riding hero, Ghost Rider.

Reedus has expressed interest in Ghost Rider in multiple interviews, seemingly agreeing with those who would view him as the perfect person to bring Johnny Blaze to life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Spearheading the lead role in the acclaimed video game Death Stranding, Reedus would be no stranger to the motion capture necessary for investing in such a CGI-laden character. Hopefully his burning passion for the role can soon manifest into a live-action Spirit of Vengeance to surpass that of Nicholas Cage.

7 Channing Tatum

Still willing to return to his canceled Marvel character

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Channing Tatum has had a rocky history with superhero roles. Best known for comedy roles in movies like 21 Jump Street and Magic Mike, Channing Tatum has the triple threat skillset of action, comedy, and drama that would make him perfect for a superhero role, which almost happened in the canceled Gambit project. Once upon a time, Tatum was slated to play the card-slinging Cajun mutant in a planned solo film, notably becoming very invested in the role.

Sadly, Gambit never panned out due to the terrible timing of its development coinciding with the Disney and Fox deal that handed over the X-Men property from the latter to the former. Tatum was reportedly devastated by the loss of the character, stating in an interview with Variety that he was “too depressed” to watch any Marvel movie after the project fell through. Despite this, Tatum still seems willing to return to Gambit should Marvel Studios ever reach out to meet him halfway, remarking he would still “love to play Gambit.”

6 Tom Hanks

Surprisingly interested in comic book villainy

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It’s easy for actors with pedigrees as high as Tom Hanks to be subconsciously discarded as ever being interested in appearing in a superhero film. An industry darling that’s spearheaded award-worthy films like Saving Private Ryan, Apollo 13, and Captain Phillips, it’s hard to imagine Tom Hanks having any enthusiasm to what is commonly perceived as lower-brow cinema. But that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth, as Tom Hanks is more than willing to play a superhero role.

Specifically, Hanks has expressed a desire to play a Batman villain, apparently hoping to break away from his typical typecast as a grounded disaster hero. Clarifying that he didn’t want to be the one to wear a suit and tell the heroes what to do, imagining Tom Hanks as a Batman villain opens up a whole new world of possibilities for the DC universe. Perhaps James Gunn can find a place for Hanks in the burgeoning DCU, finally letting the prestige cinema star fulfill his villainous comic book fantasies.

5 Eddie Redmayne

From leading one mega-franchise to another

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Though not nearly as much of a household name as stars like Keanu Reeves or Tom Hanks, Eddie Redmayne’s career has taken off to great enough heights to warrant questioning as to how he never wound up in a superhero film. Since winning at Academy Award for his film The Theory of Everything, Redmayne has gone on to lead the Harry Potter follow-up franchise as Newt Scamander, starting with his appearance in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. But it seems as though the wizarding world isn’t the only cinematic universe Redmayne wants in on.

In a 2015 interview with The Sun, hot off the back of his Oscar night success, Redmayne expressed a keen interest in the superhero genre, being a self-described geek. Though he admitted he doesn’t have the physique of Hugh Jackman, Redmayne stated he would be willing to settle as a British villain rather than a hero. Having auditioned for films like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Redmayne has a clear enthusiasm for comic book movies that has sadly gone unfulfilled.

4 Al Pacino

Shockingly open to comic book movies despite his pedigree

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Famously, prestige cinema director Martin Scorsese is one of the most vocal detractors of superhero films in the public eye, disparaging the entire genre in multiple statements. One could be forgiving for assuming The Irishman collaborator and similarly lauded criminal drama visionary Al Pacino would have similar thoughts on the genre. But surprisingly enough, Pacino has repeatedly stated his excitement for the prospect of appearing in a big-budget comic book movie.

Since watching 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Pacino has stated to be interested in Marvel, though his days of being a leading man are long behind him. The same year, Pacino met with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige (via Hollywood Reporter), possibly to discuss his future involvement in the series. At 84 years old, Al Pacino would likely find success in the genre in a cameo or supporting cast member slot, but that isn’t to say he wouldn’t be brilliant casting for many unfulfilled MCU roles.

3 Terry Crews

Has only had minor brushes with superhero stardom

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Few performers working today seem better suited for a superhero role than the iconic comedy actor and former NFL player Terry Crews. Proving his action chops in films like the Expendables series while maintaining an impressive filmography of comedic appearances, Terry Crews has only had cameo appearances in comic book media despite his clear talents for the needs of the genre. Crews was quickly introduced and killed off in Deadpool 2‘s X-Force as Bedlam, and played a character in the Marvel theme park ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

These small roles are totally incongruous with Crews’ star power and clear enthusiasm for the superhero space. Though he missed out on playing personal favorite Luke Cage to Mike Colter, Crews also expressed an interest in the Silver Surfer in a Reddit AMA in 2015. With The Fantastic Four soon slated to enter the MCU proper, it could be a great time to grant Crews his wish to have a more substantial superhero movie presence.

2 Megan Fox

Champions comics outside of Marvel and DC

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It’s easy to forget that Marvel and DC aren’t the only game in town when it comes to comic book adaptations. Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy duology is still a cult classic to this day, and the success of Amazon’s Invincible and The Boys on streaming proves there is a market for adaptations of less-famous superhero source material. Megan Fox is one celebrity actress that understands this, and has stated as such with her views on comic book movies.

Fox starred as April O’Niel in Michael Bay’s live-action iteration of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, giving her some comic book movie experience outside the shadow of Marvel and DC already. But the former Transformers star has also championed a favorite comic of her own, Gen¹³ (via Comicvine), which to-date has only ever been adapted into an obscure animated direct-to-video movie never released in the United States. An impressive knowledge of the lesser-known book should be enough to qualify Fox as first in line for any live-action adaptation.

1 Keke Palmer

Rallied behind fan-casts of a particular mutant

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Palmer’s increased public perception has put her in the crosshairs of a popular fan-casting for a beloved X-Men character

Some of evidence for an actor’s enthusiasm for comic book roles can be revealed with popular fan-casts. While she got her breakthrough role in 2006’s Akeelah and the Bee, Keke Palmer has since enjoyed a rising stardom from hits like Scream Queens, Berlin Station, Turnt Up with the Taylors, Hustlers, Lightyear and Nope. Palmer’s increased public perception has put her in the crosshairs of a popular fan-casting for a beloved X-Men character, one she hasn’t seemed to shy away from talking about.

The idea of Keke Palmer playing X-Men’s Rogue has been floating around ever since the franchise made its way into the grasp of the MCU, prompting the search for new stars. In an interview with Comicbook.com, Palmer asserted that she was “ready for Rogue,” even going as far as to use the character’s signature term of Southern endearment, “sugar,” in the interview. With her enthusiasm and potently fresh star power, Palmer would be fantastic choice for Rogue in an upcoming comic book movie.

Sources: Comicbook.com, Comicvine, Reddit, Hollywood Reporter, Comicbookmovie.com, Variety,

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment