Actors Who Were Almost Cast as Superheroes

There is a special kind of movie what if that lives in every superhero fan’s head. Casting decisions shape how we see these iconic characters, and sometimes the near misses become as fascinating as the roles that finally made it to screen. Looking back at the close calls gives us a fresh way to imagine different versions of stories we already love.

These almost castings are not just trivia. They reveal how hard it is to match the right performer with the right cape, suit, or mask. They also show how careers pivot on timing and chance. Here are ten actors who came close to joining the superhero club, and how those alternate timelines might have changed the genre.

Tom Cruise as ‘Iron Man’

Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe took off, Tom Cruise was widely linked to a developing ‘Iron Man’ project. The idea of Cruise inside the armor felt inevitable to many fans since he brought the swagger and intensity that Tony Stark demands. There were talks and interest around a version that never materialized.

If that early film had happened, the tone of the MCU could have been very different. Cruise might have leaned even harder into the daredevil inventor side of Stark, and the franchise could have started with a more classic action star at the center. It is wild to think how one yes might have reshaped everything that followed.

Emily Blunt as ‘Black Widow’

Emily Blunt was close to joining Marvel as ‘Black Widow’ and reportedly had to step away due to scheduling conflicts. The timing simply did not cooperate, which happens more often than fans realize. It was a near miss that left people imagining her sharp wit and grounded intensity in the role.

Scarlett Johansson made the character her own, but it is easy to picture Blunt delivering a cool, sardonic take on Natasha. She has the physical presence for the hand to hand work and the emotional range to sell the character’s quiet history. That version of ‘Black Widow’ would have been different but just as intriguing.

Jake Gyllenhaal as ‘Spider-Man’

During the making of ‘Spider-Man 2’, there were serious discussions about Jake Gyllenhaal stepping in if Tobey Maguire could not continue. The production faced uncertainty, and Gyllenhaal was right there as a viable choice. It came close enough that fans still talk about it.

Gyllenhaal brings an earnest quality that could have fit Peter Parker beautifully. You can imagine his version leaning into the everyday awkwardness and the burden of responsibility that defines the character. The series stayed on track, but that close call remains one of the most famous what ifs in superhero casting.

Nicolas Cage as ‘Superman’

Nicolas Cage actually suited up for Tim Burton’s planned ‘Superman Lives’. Concept art and test footage have fueled the legend for years, and the project’s cancellation turned it into a mythic lost film. Cage’s love for the character made the near casting even more tantalizing.

His version might have embraced the outsider spirit of Clark Kent in a more offbeat way. With Burton’s sensibility, we could have seen a stylized, emotionally vulnerable ‘Superman’ that pushed the character into new territory. The movie never happened, but the idea remains irresistible.

John Krasinski as ‘Captain America’

John Krasinski was a genuine finalist for ‘Captain America’. He screen tested and came close before the role went to Chris Evans. It is a perfect example of how many strong candidates line up for these parts and how narrow the final decision can be.

Krasinski has the earnest charm and quiet leadership that Steve Rogers requires. His take might have emphasized the humble man out of time quality even more. While he eventually appeared elsewhere in the superhero world, the almost Cap moment still fascinates fans.

Armie Hammer as ‘Batman’

Armie Hammer was set to don the cowl in George Miller’s unmade ‘Justice League Mortal’. The ensemble was moving forward when outside factors halted the production. That sudden stop left a fully imagined version of ‘Batman’ on the shelf.

Hammer’s physical presence and cool restraint could have delivered a younger, team oriented Dark Knight. The project would have introduced a very different tone for the character compared to later films. It remains one of the great unrealized team ups in superhero history.

Tom Hiddleston as ‘Thor’

Before he became Loki, Tom Hiddleston auditioned for ‘Thor’. He showed he could carry the heroic weight of the role, and insiders have often noted how close he came. Fate nudged him toward the trickster god instead, which turned out to be perfect casting.

It is fun to imagine Hiddleston playing both sides of the Asgard story. As ‘Thor’, he might have leaned into vulnerable nobility and quiet intensity. The final choice gave us a different balance and gifted the MCU a definitive Loki, but that early almost still stands out.

Dougray Scott as ‘Wolverine’

Dougray Scott was originally set to play ‘Wolverine’ in ‘X-Men’. A scheduling crunch pulled him away late in the game, which changed superhero history. The role then went to Hugh Jackman, and the rest is film lore.

Scott had the grit and flinty charm that Logan needs. His version might have been leaner and meaner right from the start, with a tougher edge to the loner vibe. It is a reminder of how a single change can alter the course of a character across decades.

Cillian Murphy as ‘Batman’

Cillian Murphy screen tested for ‘Batman’ while Christopher Nolan was shaping ‘Batman Begins’. He impressed so much that he still became a key part of the trilogy. The cape and cowl went elsewhere, and Murphy transformed into a chilling Scarecrow.

If he had been chosen as ‘Batman’, we might have seen a more haunted and cerebral take on Bruce Wayne. Murphy’s intensity could have yielded a detective focused hero with a razor sharp inner life. The final path gave us a memorable villain, but the almost remains compelling.

Timothée Chalamet as ‘Spider-Man’

Before ‘Spider-Man Homecoming’ landed its star, Timothée Chalamet auditioned for Peter Parker. He has spoken about the nerves of that moment and how it slipped away. It is easy to see why the studio looked his way given his mix of youthful energy and sensitivity.

Chalamet’s Peter would likely have leaned toward a brainy, soft spoken version of the character. The quips and charm would still be there, but the tone might have felt a little more shy and introspective. The role went in another direction, and Chalamet’s career took off in its own lane.

Share the almost casting that you wish had happened and tell us in the comments which one you would most want to see on screen.