The MCU is arguably the most formidable force in the entertainment industry, and beginning in 2020, the MCU will enter its fourth phase as it builds towards another incredible saga. The first three phases of the MCU all gave way to one of the most incredible spectacles in film history, with Avengers: Endgame becoming the highest-grossing film of all time.

Among all the other things that Marvel did well as they marched towards immortality, the casting of their biggest roles is perhaps the most impressive aspect of the MCU. The cast that they selected has been exceptional in their roles, but this has not stopped people from dreaming of some other performers who could have been great, as well.

Today, we are going to look at 20 performers who could have been great in these iconic MCU roles! Hopefully, these performers will end up appearing in the MCU in some capacity.

Jensen Ackles is known for his time on the series Supernatural, but this has not stopped people from casting him as Hawkeye in the MCU. Ackles has a ruggedness to him that he could bring to the character and his charm could have helped bring some levity to Hawkeye as well.

Eliza Dushku is a tremendous actress that has been in the game for some time, and she would have been a good fit in this role. She has the looks to make it work, but more importantly, she has the talent and the spy girl history. Need proof? Go watch Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.

Billy Crudup is a fantastic performer that already has experience playing a scientist. Superhero fans no doubt remember him taking on the character of Dr. Manhattan in the film Watchmen. Crudup would have been a great Bruce Banner, as he can play just about any character that is required of him.

Having appeared in films like Baby Driver and Mama Mia! Here We Go Again, Lily James has shown that she is capable of doing a little bit of everything on the big screen. She could have brought a unique take on that character of Captain Marvel, and fans would have loved this.

Terrence Howard was the original War Machine, but he would be replaced by on Cheadle. We think that Michael Ealy could have been great in the role. He may look younger, but he is as smooth as Terrence Howard and he could have built a great rapport with Robert Downey Jr.

Unless a person has been living under a rock the last two or three years, they would have noticed that Saoirse Ronan has been turning in one amazing performance after the next. Her range and ability to take a character to the next level would have paired nicely with an emotional character like Scarlet Witch.

Scott Lang is meant to be a lovable character that was never really meant to be a superhero. The actor for this role needs to be someone that feels relatable and endearing, which basically describes Joseph Gordon-Levitt perfectly. He would have been a tremendous addition to the MCU that people would have loved.

Rose Leslie really burst onto the scene when she was cast on the series Game of Thrones. She has shown the ability to take on a character that requires toughness, which would make her a perfect fit for Nebula. Just imagine Rose Leslie in full makeup going toe-to-toe with Thanos.

Yes, we did get Donald Glover in the MCU in the film Spider-Man: Homecoming, but we wish that he had had more to do in the movie. Casting him as Falcon would have been tremendous for the MCU. Glover can play serious roles and comedic roles, which would have balanced out Falcon.

Kate Beckinsale already showed that she could anchor a franchise when she was cast as the lead in the Underworld films, and she would have fit in nicely in the MCU. Beckinsale is a gorgeous performer, like Evangeline Lilly, and her past action film experience would have paid dividends here.

Being able to portray a villainous character is truly an art form, and it just so happens that Christoph Waltz can do this better than just about any person on the planet not named Cate Blanchett. Waltz would have been an incredible Red Skull, bringing a sinister take to the character.

Bryce Dallas Howard is a fine actress, and seeing her as Pepper Potts in the MCU would have been great. She has really blossomed in the Jurassic World franchise, and she would have been able to put a spin on Pepper Potts that fans would have loved. Her abilities behind the camera would have also been handy.

Over the years, Colin Farrell has shown that he can handle any role and shine in any project. Iron Man 3 utilized the character Aldrich Killian, and Farrell would have been perfect. He could have gotten his Marvel redemption while giving Killian additional smoothness and some depth in the film.

At some point, Emily Blunt is going to bring her incredible talent to the MCU, and fans cannot wait to see it happen. She would have been perfect as Peggy Carter. Blunt has shown that she can play an elegant and driven character, with both of these qualities being perfect for Peggy Carter.

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Yes, we know that J.K. Simmons has returned as his iconic J. Jonah Jameson, but hear us out. Thunderbolt Ross appeared long before Jameson, and Simmons would have been tremendous in the role. Go watch Burn After Reading and tell us that he couldnt have taken this character to another level.

Olivia Wilde is a solid performer that has seen and done a little bit of everything in the business. Wilde would have been a nice fit as Jane Foster. Her history with playing intelligent characters would certainly come in handy, and she would have had great chemistry with Chris Hemsworth.

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Dwayne Johnson is a hulking man that has more muscles than most of the other guys in the MCU combined. Naturally, this would have made him a perfect fit for Drax. Not only that, but his comedic timing would have suited this character well while mingling with the other Guardians.

Considering that Maria Hill is a character that can crank up the action and bring some levity to situations, Rose Byrne would have been great here. She has thrived on the big screen for years, and seeing her with Samuel L. Jackson in the MCU would have been great for fans.

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Much has been made about staying true to comics, which is why casting Ken Watanabe would have been a better decision for the Ancient One. Watanabe has a wealth of experience on the big screen and has great range as a performer. He would have been stellar in this role.

Zoe Kravitz has been on the top of her game in recent years, and she is quickly becoming a force in the business. She was recently cast as Catwoman in The Batman, but we cant help but wonder how she would have been as Gamora. She would have brought a smoothness to the character.

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