To paraphrase a San Diego local TV news anchorman from the 1970s, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a big deal. Over the course of 12 years, 23 movies, and several TV shows (that may or may not be continuity depending on who you ask), these Marvel films have defined a generation – and defined actors’ careers.
People knew who Robert Downey Jr. was before Iron Man. But after 2008, he is Iron Man forever more. The same could be said for the likes of Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, and others.
But not every MCU casting is or was for the long haul – some actors haven’t even stick around for more than one movie, including a title character.
Despite the massive budgets, huge appeal, and a well-honed formula, it doesn’t always work out between Marvel and their talent, and sometimes characters are recast due to personality conflicts, changing story needs, or even shifting eras in time.
Would it surprise you to know the first actor hired for the Marvel Cinematic Universe was one of the first to be replaced? Or that Iron Man’s dad has had more looks than a Skrull playing dress-up?
Newsarama has dug through the MCU archives and pointed out the most significant recastings – and why they happened.