Regardless of auditioning for the function of a superhero, a number of actors ended up taking part in the film’s villain. On the planet of superhero cinema, actors usually chase the dream of portraying the heroic lead in a Marvel or DC franchise. But some have been redirected into the darker, extra compelling function of the villain.
From the MCU timeline to the DC Universe, the actors featured right here initially aimed for heroic roles. Nonetheless, they as a substitute delivered a few of the most iconic villainous performances in the identical film or its sequels. These casting curves not solely alter the trajectory of characters however can outline an actor’s profession in shocking methods.
What’s particularly fascinating is how usually these “incorrect turns” find yourself changing into the best choice, each for the actor and the story. The characters they wound up taking part in often turned scene-stealers. These examples usually show that typically the villain really outshines the hero.
Tom Hiddleston
Tom Hiddleston initially auditioned to play Thor within the 2011 Marvel Studios movie. Nonetheless, Kenneth Branagh and Marvel noticed one thing completely different in him. Branagh, who had beforehand labored with Hiddleston on Ivanov and Wallander, believed that Hiddleston’s temperament suited the extra subtly harmful attraction of Loki relatively than the god of thunder himself.
The heroic lead went to Chris Hemsworth, whereas Hiddleston was provided the function of Thor’s adoptive brother and villainous foil. Hiddleston later famous, “I by no means auditioned for Loki. I solely ever auditioned for Thor,” underscoring how castings can pivot in surprising courses. The outcome was career-defining. His nuanced, layered portrayal turned Loki into one of many MCU’s breakout characters.
Loki boasted appearances throughout a number of movies and even his personal Disney+ collection, spawning a few of Marvel’s biggest tv. It’s tough now to think about Marvel’s first decade with out Loki’s mischievous presence. With out Hiddleston’s masterful efficiency, it’s unlikely that Loki would have had presumably essentially the most compelling character arc in the entire MCU.
Cillian Murphy
Cillian Murphy initially auditioned for Bruce Wayne/Batman himself in Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins. Regardless of delivering a powerful efficiency – together with donning Val Kilmer’s Batsuit for the display check – each Nolan and Murphy rapidly acknowledged he wasn’t the best match for the Caped Crusader. Warner Bros. executives felt the identical, preferring somebody extra bodily imposing.
Nonetheless, Nolan was captivated by Murphy’s piercing eyes and unsettling calm. Reasonably than lose him, he provided him Dr. Jonathan Crane, aka Scarecrow – a villain who manipulates Gotham’s fears by toxins. The function was a trilogy-spanning efficiency, with Murphy showing in Batman Begins, The Darkish Knight, and The Darkish Knight Rises.
For Murphy, the shift wasn’t a disappointment. In interviews, he praised Nolan for recognizing his strengths as an actor. The casting additionally highlights Nolan’s knack for reshaping conventional superhero expectations by valuing nuance over stereotypes. Murphy’s Scarecrow is chillingly understated, in contrast to any comic-book villain audiences had seen earlier than, making him the proper solution to introduce Nolan’s grounded, gritty Gotham.
Lee Tempo
When casting Guardians of the Galaxy, Marvel and James Gunn invited Lee Tempo to audition for Peter Quill/Star-Lord, placing him within the contest alongside Joel Edgerton, Jim Sturgess, and Eddie Redmayne. Tempo’s audition leaned towards gravitas, however Marvel finally wished somebody with extra comedic power. That is the principle cause Chris Pratt landed the function.
Reasonably than let Tempo go, Gunn forged him as Ronan the Accuser, a Kree fanatic whose unyielding beliefs made him a terrifying antagonist. Whereas Ronan was criticized for being underdeveloped, Tempo’s commanding physicality gave the villain a real sense of menace. Tempo later reprised Ronan in Captain Marvel, which gave him extra display time to develop extra successfully.
Had Tempo landed Star-Lord, Tempo’s profession might need taken a really completely different flip. As a substitute, his villainous efficiency allowed the Guardians’ humor and chaos to shine against this. Gunn has since recommended that even smaller villains can elevate heroes – and Tempo exemplified that completely.
Sam Rockwell
Sam Rockwell was a real contender to play Tony Stark/Iron Man within the MCU’s Iron Man. After all, when Robert Downey Jr. auditioned, his stability of conceitedness and vulnerability made him not possible to high. Nonetheless, director Jon Favreau favored Rockwell’s power and stored him in thoughts. That foresight paid off in Iron Man 2, the place Rockwell returned as Justin Hammer.
Justin Hammer was Tony Stark’s smarmy company rival. Sam Rockwell leaned into the sleazy, nearly cartoonish qualities of Hammer, making a memorable antagonist who wasn’t essentially scary however was all the time entertaining. His dance-filled entrance and awkward rivalry with Stark stay highlights of the movie.
Though Hammer hasn’t returned within the MCU in a significant capability, Rockwell’s efficiency turned a fan favourite. Marvel has teased the character’s survival within the MCU, that means audiences might not have seen the final of him. Rockwell’s close to miss at taking part in a superhero as a substitute provided one of many MCU’s most quotable, quirky villains.
Nicholas Hoult
Nicholas Hoult auditioned for Clark Kent in James Gunn’s Superman however misplaced out to David Corenswet. Gunn, nonetheless, was impressed sufficient to supply Hoult the function of Lex Luthor, Superman’s most iconic enemy. Hoult admitted that whereas he initially wished to play the hero, he realized that Lex’s cerebral menace match his sensibilities higher.
In interviews, Hoult revealed he sought recommendation from Michael Rosenbaum, the Smallville actor whose Lex turned a fan favourite. Rosenbaum inspired him to embrace the function’s complexity, noting that Superman is just as fascinating as his villain. Hoult was energized by the problem, joking that being the villain permits him to have extra enjoyable onscreen.
Hoult’s Lex proved to be complicated and terrifying in equal measure. He managed to construct upon the earlier depictions, presenting a completely shaped Lex, already with immense affect and a deep-rooted hatred for the hero. That is certainly one of many causes that Superman (2025) was the proper step after Man of Metal.
Sebastian Stan
Sebastian Stan despatched in audition tapes for Steve Rogers earlier than testing in individual for Captain America: The First Avenger. Though he was passionate concerning the half, Marvel sensed an underlying darkness that higher suited him for the function of Bucky Barnes. Marvel finally selected Chris Evans for Rogers for his boy-next-door relatability.
By Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Stan remodeled into the eponymous brainwashed Hydra murderer. He immediately turned one of many MCU’s most tragic villains. His arc resonated so deeply with audiences that he returned in a number of sequels and finally co-headlined The Falcon and the Winter Soldier collection and appeared as a part of the Thunderbolts staff.
Stan himself later admitted he was glad he didn’t get Captain America, as Bucky gave him a richer, extra layered trajectory. Generally the sidekick-turned-villain finally ends up with the extra fascinating story.
Heath Ledger
Christopher Nolan as soon as thought-about Heath Ledger for Batman in Batman Begins. Ledger met with Nolan to debate the function however finally turned it down. After seeing Batman Begins, Ledger actively campaigned for the function of the Joker for The Darkish Knight, cementing himself a spot in cinematic historical past.
Ledger’s casting sparked controversy on the time, however his anarchic, terrifying take silenced doubters and have become legendary. His efficiency redefined not simply Batman’s rogues’ gallery however superhero villains normally. The function finally earned him a posthumous Academy Award. The irony is putting: had Ledger performed Batman, audiences might by no means have skilled certainly one of cinema’s most iconic Joker performances.
Ledger’s transformation into the Clown Prince of Crime is the last word proof that typically dropping the hero function opens the door to greatness. Although he didn’t actively audition to play the Caped Crusader, it demonstrates the intriguing casting developments that may essentially change a superhero franchise.
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Thor
7/10
- Launch Date
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Might 6, 2011
- Runtime
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115 minutes
- Writers
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Ashley Miller, Don Payne, Zack Stentz
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Batman Begins
9/10
- Launch Date
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June 15, 2005
- Runtime
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140 minutes
- Producers
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Benjamin Melniker, Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Larry Franco, Lorne Orleans
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Iron Man
9/10
- Launch Date
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Might 2, 2008
- Runtime
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126 minutes
- Writers
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Matt Holloway, Artwork Marcum, Hawk Ostby, Mark Fergus
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Superman
9/10
- Launch Date
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July 11, 2025
- Runtime
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130 minutes
- Producers
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Peter Safran
