After fifteen years of dedication to telling superhero stories, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has now become one of the giant franchises in the Hollywood film industry. Where so far they have musicalized many movies and live action series starring talented actors and actresses. But are the geeks aware? In the long journey of the MCU it turns out that there are several big and important characters that have experienced cast changes. Especially in this discussion, we will be reviewing which of the main characters in the MCU have switched roles for various reasons!
War machines
The first character in MCU history to switch roles is James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes, aka War Machine. film debut Iron Man which was released in 2008, Rhodey is known as a friend of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), who works as a pilot and officer in the United States Air Force. Where it was noted that he completed 138 aerial combat missions before donning the War Machine armor given to him by his best friend. The character himself was played by Terrence Howard in the first film. Iron Man.
But when the second Iron Man movie came out in 2010, all MCU fans finally learned that actor Don Cheadle had officially replaced Howard. Sadly, Howard himself has never been seen wearing the War Machine armor, because Rhodey’s character just wore it in the movie. Iron Man 2. The reason War Machine’s character was able to switch roles is supposedly due to a contract issue that was not agreed upon by the two parties during the development of the Iron Man sequel.
Years later, in one of his interview sessions, Howard once revealed to the public that he felt betrayed by Marvel Studios, which had destroyed his acting career. On the other hand, Marvel defended that Howard asked for the same fee as RDJ, so they were forced to replace him. Since then, Cheadle has played War Machine in many MCU shows, including the latest in the series. secret invasion currently showing on Disney+.
Helmet
Among the MCU characters that switched roles, Bruce Banner aka the Hulk is perhaps the most surprising change for fans. As it could not be, the character that actor Edward Norton played for the first time has made the MCU better known throughout the world through the film. The incredible Hulk which was released in 2008. In the film, Bruce is told that he has to deal with a formidable supervillain called the Abomination (Tim Roth), who has now repented.
But who would have thought that Marvel Studios plans to reintroduce her character in a crossover movie? the Avengers (2012), they replaced the cast with actor Mark Ruffalo. According to reports circulating, the reason Norton didn’t reprise his role as the Hulk was because he had been involved in a dispute with Marvel Studios. Where Marvel felt Norton interfered too much in the production stage of the movie The incredible Hulk make director Louis Leterrier uncomfortable.
This dispute eventually led Marvel to issue a statement that they wanted actors who could align with the spirit of the MCU filmmakers, especially in the movies. the Avengers involving many crew and cast members. Thankfully, Rufallo’s appearance in the MCU is pretty iconic, so over time, fans began to forget that Bruce Banner aka the Hulk was ever played by another actor.
fandral
The next MCU character notable for switching roles in the sequel shows is Fandral, one of the Warriors Three, also known as the Asgardian Trio, who is often seen with Thor (Chris Hemsworth). Fandral’s character first appeared in the film. tor which was released in 2011, along with other members of the Warriors Three, namely Volstagg (Ray Stevenson) and Hogun (Tadanobu Asano). Originally, the character of Fandral was going to be played by actor Zachary Levi in the first film, but because he was busy, Josh Dallas took over the role.
Now when fans are quite familiar with Dallas as Fandral, he is actually replaced again in the Thor sequel titled The dark world (2013). Where replacing him is none other than Zachary Levi. The reason for changing the cast itself was because from the beginning Dallas had only signed a contract for the first film. So when Marvel worked on the Thor sequel, they went back to the first choice of Levi, who was able to save his time this time.
Since then, Levi has continued to play his character, until Fandral is finally told to die in the third film titled Thor: Ragnarok (2017). Miraculously, two years later, Fandral was reincarnated as the superhero Shazam in the DC Universe cinematic universe. it’s a joke. In fact, Fandral’s role in the MCU has indirectly led to Levi getting a bigger role in DC movies as the superhero version of Billy Batson, who last appeared in a movie. Shazam! fury of the gods (2023).
cassie lang
In the MCU universe of cinema, it can be said that Cassie Lang is one of the characters that has recently received the limelight in the film. Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantummania (2023). Where the son of Scott Lang aka Ant-Man is played brilliantly by actress Kathryn Newton who has never appeared in any MCU movie before. This may happen because before the cast changed, this MCU character was played by child actress Abby Ryder Fortson in the first movie. Ant Man (2015) and Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018).
later in the cinema Avengers Endgame (2019) Due to a five-year time jump, Ryder Fortson was replaced by actress Emma Fuhrmann. Now, even though her age was more in line with Fuhrmann’s at the time, it turns out that Marvel Studios decided to replace Cassie’s role with Newton in Quantummania. The reason is that, according to the studio, Newton is more suited to playing a bigger character, where Cassie is first told that she is a teenage superhero in a Stature costume.
It is not impossible that later, when the character of Cassie aka Stature returns, Newton will reprise her role, either in the movie Avengers: The Kang Dynasty or in other MCU movies. What is clear for now is that many are speculating that Cassie’s character will have a bigger role in the future, considering that in the comics she has a close relationship with the young Nathaniel Richards, aka Kang the Conqueror, who currently serves as the big bad villain of the Multiverse Saga.
ray ross
Finally, the character who has officially switched roles in the MCU is Thaddeus ‘Thunderbolt’ Ross. Previously, the American general, also known as Betty Ross’s father, was played by actor William Hurt in five MCU movies. Included in the movies The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: Civil War (2016), Avengers: infinity war (2018), Avengers EndgameAND black widow (2021). Unfortunately, in 2022, actor William Hurt passed away due to prostate cancer.
Shortly after news of Hurt’s death spread, Marvel, who felt that Ross’s character could not be left blank for long, was forced to replace him with veteran actor Harrison Ford. Until this second Ford had at least been set to appear in the movie. Captain America: Brave New World AND good heavens which is scheduled for release on July 26, 2024 and December 20, 2024, respectively. According to rumors, Ford himself is preparing to appear as the Red Hulk, much like Ross’ story in the comic.
Those are the five MCU characters that have switched roles. This cast change in the MCU was initially quite surprising, but on the other hand, it actually provided an opportunity for other actors to bring a fresh approach to bringing their characters to life in a unique way. Ultimately, most importantly, the quality of the character’s appearance continues to hold up in line with the MCU as a whole.
