The Marvel Cinematic Universe began with Iron Man, and there have been over 20 movies churned out since then, almost all have been critical favorites. However, even before Marvel started making its movies under the Disney banner, there were movies based on its characters that fans loved from studios like Sony and Fox.
With Disney now owning Fox and a deal in place to at least work with Sony, there will be more characters added to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and there is a chance that some actors might be returning to their roles as well. Here are five pre-MCU actors we want to reprise their roles and five that need to stay away.
J.K. Simmons as J. Jonah Jameson - Yes
At the top of the list is a return that has already happened in a post-credit stinger. However, it is one that needs to happen in the next Spider-Man movie. At the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home, there was a post-credit scene where J. Jonah Jameson told the world that Spider-Man killed Mysterio and was, in fact, Peter Parker.
The trailers for Morbius showed that some people now consider Spider-Man a killer based on graffiti. The J.K. Simmons cameo in Far From Home needs to lead to his official return in the next movie. Simmons played Jameson in the first three Sam Raimi Spider-Man movies.
Chris Evans - Human Torch - No
Now that Captain America is no longer part of the MCU, at least as far as the studio has revealed, that eliminates Chris Evans from the universe. As one of the most popular characters, that is a tough loss. However, since Marvel now has Fox in its reigns, could Evans return to the role he originated — The Human Torch?
This return should not happen. For one thing, Evans is so iconic as Captain America that he should never return as Johnny Storm. However, the biggest reason he needs to stay away from the role is that Evans needs to make cameo returns as Steve Rogers, possibly working behind-the-scenes leading a Secret Avengers team.
Thomas Jane as Punisher - Yes
There have been four actors to play Punisher in movies and on television. Out of those actors, the two that should return are either Jon Bernthal or Thomas Jane. While Bernthal was great on Netflix, the man who deserves the chance to return and do the role right is Thomas Jane.
Jane was the best part of his Punisher movie, a film that suffered from what critics called a weak script. However, Jane wanted another chance and made a brilliant short film called Dirty Laundry, a film that proved he deserves another shot.
Nicholas Cage as Ghost Rider - No
Nicolas Cage seemed to have the right intentions when he starred in his Ghost Rider movies, but they were critical and commercial failures, and Cage was so over-the-top as Johnny Blaze that it seemed he was trying to make it his own, rather than bring the comic character to life.
If the MCU brings Ghost Rider back to the big screen or ports it over as a Disney+ show, the company should look more to how Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. created the character, and if they bring back Blaze, it needs recast with someone new and fresh, so no one thinks of the Cage movies.
Hugh Jackman as Wolverine - Yes
Hugh Jackman starred as the same Marvel character in more movies than anyone other than Chris Evans. He appeared in more if you include a photo of him in the first Deadpool movie. However, Jackman said he is finished with the character following a perfect end in Logan.
With that said, if Marvel brought Jackman a great script and a truckload of cash, he might rethink his opinion. While Jackman as Wolverine is likely finished, the idea of seeing him appear in an MCU movie, even in a small role, is something almost all X-Men fans would love to see.
Ben Affleck as Daredevil - No
Ben Affleck had two chances to play major superheroes in movies and took on a similar role both times. Before he was Batman in the DCEU, he was Daredevil. However, while there are a lot of fans who got behind Affleck as Batman, his turn as Daredevil was a universal flop.
That is disappointing because the director’s cut of Daredevil received positive reviews, but most people only saw the theatrical cut. The MCU likely wouldn’t want the baggage Affleck brings, and the fact that Charlie Cox was universally loved on Netflix shows who Marvel should look at bringing in.
Patrick Steward as Professor X - Yes
There is a lot of question marks surrounding the X-Men franchise as far as the Marvel Cinematic Universe is concerned. First, the X-Men was around for almost a full decade before the MCU started, so explaining who these characters are and where they have been won’t be easy.
There is also the idea that both the original trilogy and the most recent movies are in the same timeline. This fact means any of the actors could return. Bringing back James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender would be great, but seeing Patrick Stewart in Picard makes the idea of an older Professor X introducing new mutants an intriguing possibility.
Wesley Snipes as Blade - No
Wesley Snipes wanted to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Blade. He told anyone and everyone who asked that he wanted to play Blade again and wanted Marvel to reach out to him. Despite two great movies and a critical flop as the Day Walker, Snipes never got the chance.
One year ago, seeing Wesley Snipes return as Blade was an exciting idea. However, now that a new Blade movie is in production with Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali in the lead role, the time for Snipes has passed.
Doug Jones as Silver Surfer - Yes
Two of the most hated non-MCU Marvel movies ever made were both Fantastic Four films. The less said about the second of these, released in 2015, the better. However, the other film was a sequel with Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. The film was critically panned and ended the franchise instantly.
However, there was one thing about the movie that was great — the production value when it came to the look of the Silver Surfer. The character looked terrific, and much of that is due to actor Doug Jones, one of the best when it comes to visual effects acting. If the MCU brings back the Surfer, Jones deserves another chance.
Jennifer Garner as Elektra - No
While the theatrical cut of Daredevil hurt Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner got a second chance with the character of Elektra in a spinoff movie. While the director’s cut helped redeem Daredevil somewhat, nothing saved Elektra, which sits at 11% rotten on Rotten Tomatoes.
Garner was one of the top female action stars at the time, and she couldn’t save the movie. Now, 15 years later, Garner is best known for her rom-com and drama roles, and most fans would never accept her back as the assassin. Much like Charlie Cox, though, the MCU could always call on Elodie Yung from the Netflix series.
