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James Gunn said he never imagined Chris Pratt as Guardians of the Galaxy's Star-Lord until the audition. Tricked into meeting Pratt, Gunn immediately realized the actor was perfect for the role.

Guardians of the Galaxy seemed an odd fit for the MCU when it released, what with the film's eclectic ensemble and campy tone. Marvel bet big on James Gunn's space opera, and it paid off; it's now one of the studio's dark horses, spawning two sequels, crossovers, and a holiday special. Speaking with Dax Shepard, Gunn recalled how the movie came together and the rigorous casting. Finding Star-Lord was particularly difficult, and they were getting desperate after 300 actors failed auditions. That's when Chris Pratt came along.

Gunn said Pratt was then "the heavy guy on Parks and Rec" when he walked in for a reading. "The famous story around it is that I didn't want to see Chris because I'm like,...

With Chris Pratt as a bona fide A-list star these days, and Guardians of the Galaxy a multi-sequel mega-hit, it can be hard to remember that neither one was always earmarked for glory. Pratt was a breakout star on Parks and Recreation, but his success on that show certainly didn’t telegraph a career as an action star. What changed was his casting in Guardians of the Galaxy, a then-little-known Marvel property in the hands of then-cult-favorite director James Gunn.

Even without the pressure and eyeballs that would accompany a tentpole Marvel casting like Spider-Man, Gunn apparently still had a similar knee-jerk “no” to the idea of casting a then-pudgy Pratt as a superhero. In my personal opinion, the whole hullabaloo about Pratt getting in superhero shape was a bit overblown. I think that Star-Lord, as a superhero that uses firearms and moves around via jet boosters, is one of...

Those pursuing acting careers in Hollywood seek out as many auditions as they can. The roles and projects they find themselves reading for vary in scale, whether it be a bit part on a network sitcom or a character in a major film franchise, along with everything in between. As far as massive franchises go, getting cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is already a major milestone, but to also be in the standalone films featuring the most famous Marvel superhero of them all, Spider-Man, is somehow on another level.

By the time "Spider-Man: Homecoming" swung into theaters, Tom Holland had already made his big-screen debut as the McU's Peter Parker in "Captain America: Civil War." Holland's first standalone outing as the webhead was a coming-of-age film that evoked the vibes of John Hughes' seminal classics, such as "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (which was directly referenced and featured in...

In an industry where the concept of a movie star is disappearing, actors like Tom Holland are still standing out from the crowd with their incredible craft and skills. The actor began his career as a child artist but got his big breakthrough as Spider-Man in the MCU. Now, he is one of the biggest new age stars of Hollywood.

The MCU is one of the biggest franchises in the industry and employs hundreds of actors across its movie and TV offerings. Casting director Sarah Finn has been the unsung hero for the franchise, bringing in actors like Chris Pratt, Chris Hemsworth, and more into the MCU. To arrive in Holland, Finn and her team reportedly auditioned 2,500 actors.

Tom Holland was reportedly cast as Spider-Man in the MCU after auditioning 2500 actors Tom Holland in Spider-Man: No Way Home | Credits: Marvel Studios

In a pre-Captain America: Civil War world,...

Great castings often go unnoticed, as in such cases, fans tend to overlook other possibilities if the choice in question seems perfect. Marvel, for the most part, has consistently delivered on that front, whether it’s Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, or any of the Og Avengers, and it’s hard to imagine any other alternatives for the respective roles.

However, getting these castings right is a grueling process in itself, and the overlooked eyes behind them, casting director Sarah Finn, elaborated on the process, especially in regards to Tom Holland’s Spider-Man.

The overlooked challenge behind Tom Holland’s Spider-Man’s casting Spider-Man: Homecoming | Credit: Marvel Studios

Coming off the back of revered performances of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, Kevin Feige and Co. had some huge shoes to fill, and they certainly didn’t disappoint with the casting. Opposed to casting an actor...

How many men do you have to audition to find the perfect Spider-Manactor? An eye-watering amount according to one Hollywood casting director. There are some people that believe every role has a front-runner, a back-up plan, and then a couple of also-rans that may be called on if things head south, but they would be very wrong when it comes to the casting of some iconic roles.

Currently, there is plenty of speculation about who will become the next actor to take on the role of James Bond, and there are around 10 names that are currently riding the carousel, which may seem like a lot. However, casting director Sarah Finn, who has been behind the casting of many of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s biggest acquisitions, recently told Variety that when casting Tom Holland as Spider-Man, the number of people they auditioned as the new Peter Parker was way beyond those several possible James Bonds.

Casting director Sarah Finn has been Marvel’s longtime secret weapon: She’s the one fielding thousands and thousands of auditions to populate Hollywood’s biggest film franchise. Over the years, she’s convinced A-listers like Robert Downey Jr. and Paul Rudd to don spandex as Iron Man and Ant-Man, while launching new stars like Chris Hemsworth, who was just a hunk from Aussie soaps before he became Thor, and Simu Liu, a Canadian sitcom actor before Shang-Chi. Finn is almost as responsible as studio chief Kevin Feige or “Iron Man” director Jon Favreau for assembling the Avengers, but without the recognition, because her job operates outside the public eye.

“When casting is done well, people think that person fell from the sky,” Finn says. “Actually, we read 2,500 people to arrive at Tom Holland for Spider-Man.”

Casting directors are used to their work being overlooked. It’s kind of the point.

Agatha All Along ended fairly recently, but the series became a surprising hit and it potentially did a lot for the future of the MCU, especially if the creative team behind the project decides to explore the magical realm of Marvel’s stories.

Aside from Hahn’s Agatha and Plaza’s Lady Death, Joe Locke’s Wiccan (Billy Maximoff) was the series’ standout character and he is without a doubt one of the most refreshing MCU newcomers in recent years.

Locke’s charismatic interpretation of Billy has been praised and Locke himself has spoken about the character. In a recent interview, he revealed why he would like to come back to the role at one point.

Related: Recent Rumors Reveal What to Expect from Wiccan, ‘Agatha All Along’ Season 2, and Tommy’s Story in Upcoming Marvel Projects

This was, in fact, a much larger interview about Locke’s path to the role of Wiccan,...

Scottish actor David Tennant told fans at London’s McM Comic Con that he “had [his] eye on Reed Richards” before Marvel cast Pedro Pascal as the elastic-limbed leader of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. “They’ve gone in a different direction, and I’m very happy for it to be Pedro,” he added, quipping that he already “got the best super-villain” by playing Kilgrave in Jessica Jones.

Tennant’s comments echoed a larger conversation about the hotly anticipated reboot, which wrapped principal photography at Pinewood Studios in November and is scheduled to hit cinemas on 25 July 2025. The retro-futuristic adventure, set in an alternate 1960s, teams Pascal with Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach under director Matt Shakman.

Online chatter about alternative casting resurfaced after the Comic Con panel, with outlets noting that Tennant had first floated the idea of playing Mr Fantastic back in 2013. Industry bloggers also revived earlier...

After starting the year with the disastrous "Captain America: Brave New World," Marvel Studios has earned itself a surprise win with "Thunderbolts*." Placing the future of the "Avengers" namesake on a collective of rogue antiheroes from across the film and television spectrums of the Marvel Cinematic Universe turned out to be a great bet after all. That's largely because director Jake Schreier was given room to tell a singular story that provides a compelling reason why all of these traumatized characters would learn to confide in one another, especially in the face of an overwhelming threat like the Sentry.

Part of what makes the film's central antagonist so impactful is how Lewis Pullman's performance evolves over the course of the film. When he enters the movie, he's simply a guy named Bob -- or Robert Reynolds, if you want to be specific. No one really knows why he's there,...

Top Gun: Maverick and Lessons in Chemistry star Lewis Pullman was never meant to play the McU's Sentry. Steven Yeun was originally cast in the role (marking a reunion with Beef director Jake Schreier), but 2023's strikes forced The Walking Dead star to drop out due to scheduling issues.

Having seen what Pullman did as Bob/The Sentry/The Void, it's fair to say that things panned out for the best. While Yeun would have likely done a terrific job, Pullman has put himself on the map with a star-making performance as the damaned superhero.

However, he very nearly made his Marvel debut years earlier.

For starters, Pullman auditioned for a lead role in Spider-Man: Homecoming a decade ago. Talking at the Thunderbolts* premiere, Marvel Studios Casting Director Sarah Finn revealed, "Lewis Pullman actually auditioned for me for the role of Ned Leeds in Spider-Man 10 years ago."

Jacob Batalon ultimately...

With Thunderbolts, Marvel is on the comeback.

The new movie from Jake Schreier (Beef) has garnered some of the best reviews for a Marvel movie since Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021, signaling a modest return to form for the Marvel Cinematic Universe after recent misfires like Captan America: Brave New World, The Marvels, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

The expectation is that Thunderbolts, with its cast led by Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Sebastian Stan, will dominate the box office this weekend, and — at the very least — reinvigorate the MCU fanbase before The Fantastic Four: First Steps kick starts a new Marvel franchise in July. However, as with any Marvel movie, there’s also the potential for Thunderbolts to factor into next year’s Oscars race. While the movie is unlikely to garner recognition for its above-the-line contributors, it could find itself competitive in several craft categories — especially if...

Fans of the mind-bending thriller Severance know Britt Lower as Helly R, a character whose struggle against the dystopian Lumon Industries has made her one of television's most riveting leads. Yet before she got severed, Lower approached another style of surrealism in one of the best romantic comedy shows of the 2010s, if not ever: Man Seeking Woman.

Playing overachieving attorney Liz, sister to main character Josh Greenberg (Jay Baruchel), Lower demonstrated her on-the-nose comedic timing and range that would later make her a standout in Severance. She described the show to TV Insider this way: "This show is kind of like waking up inside of a dream, and you’re not sure if it’s going to be a fantasy dream or if it’s going to be a total nightmare, and oftentimes, it’s both." She also detailed her character in the show:

She’s like the flipside of Jay’s character,...

Marvel Studios has added many A-Listers to the MCU during the Multiverse Saga, though several of them - Harry Styles, Charlize Theron, and Brett Goldstein for example - have only been utilised in yet-to-be-resolved post-credits scenes.

Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars are expected to feature countless familiar faces. However, there are also likely to be some huge new additions to the MCU (and that list of newcomers will only grow with the release of Marvel Studios' upcoming X-Men reboot).

Today, @MyTimeToShineH brings word that, "Jennifer Lopez is being considered for a major Marvel role." The scooper doesn't share any further details but there are plenty of exciting possibilities.

Lopez, also known as J.Lo, is considered one of the most influential Latin entertainers ever. She's been credited with breaking barriers for Latino Americans in Hollywood and helping propel the Latin pop movement in music with over 80 million records sold.

The Russo Brothers’ video podcast series “Pizza Film School” will return Feb. 12, with new episodes releasing every Wednesday on Agbo’s YouTube channel, TheWrap can exclusively reveal.

New to this season, the episodes will also be available as an audio-only podcast on all major streaming platforms. Previous seasons of “Pizza Film School” will also be available on streaming platforms as audio-only episodes for the first time, starting today.

For the new season, Anthony and Joe Russo will sit down with some of their longtime collaborators across projects, including the upcoming Netflix film “The Electric State,” with Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt. Guests include the screenwriting duo of Chris Markus and Stephen McFeely; casting director Sarah Finn; producer and first Ad Chris Castaldi; Academy Award-nominated costume designer Judianna Makovsky; Academy Award-winning production designer Dennis Gassner; camera operator and producer Geoffrey Haley; legendary composer Alan Silvestri; editor and producer Jeffrey Ford; and composer Henry Jackman.

Many of you will no doubt recall the near-endless list of actors we saw suggested for Marvel's First Family in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. An official announcement was finally made but the rumours...well, they became a little exhausting. 

Marvel Studios' X-Men reboot is finally somewhere on the horizon and could be released in theaters as soon as 2027. It's incredibly important to get that franchise right after the damage done by Fox in those final few years and casting the best people possible will be essential. 

We fully trust in Sarah Finn, of course, and expect to be suitably impressed. In the meantime, quite a few names are already doing the rounds online and we figured it would be a good time to bring you up to speed with everyone rumoured to be in the running.

You can check out a full breakdown of the names by clicking the "Next"/"View List" buttons below.

Emma Corrin had never before played a baddie or ventured into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But when “Deadpool & Wolverine” casting director Sarah Halley Finn came across the British actor — best known for the films “My Policeman” and “Lady Chatterley’s Lover” and playing Princess Diana on “The Crown” — she knew she had found someone who could hold their own opposite the film’s stars Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman as Cassandra Nova, the villainous twin sister of Charles Xavier.

“The villain had so many aspects that encompassed their power in a unique and fresh way,” says Finn, who’s nominated for the film at this year’s Artios Awards, celebrating its 40th year, in the feature: big budget comedy category. “I loved what [Corrin] did with that role and how they brought it to life.”

Finn is no stranger to casting for the MCU. Her credits include “Guardians of the Galaxy,...

Maria Bakalova didn’t know she was up for the role of Cosmo the Space Dog when she auditioned for ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’.The 28-year-old actress voiced the otherworldly mutt in the 2023 Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbuster, though director James Gunn and casting director Sarah Finn kept the role she was auditioning for a secret.In an interview with Collider, Bakalova said: “I got this audition not knowing what I'm auditioning for because it wasn't written, like, ‘It's going to be ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, or, ‘It's going to be a dog.’ Nothing. “I just did an audition where I was required to do something with, like, high-pitched energy. Then the next thing was to do a Zoom audition with Sarah and James, and then I saw that that's a dog.“I was like, ‘Okay. That's interesting. Should I go on all fours? What do I do?’. And he...

Marvel Studios Casting Director Sarah Finn never misses and Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa/Black Panther remains one of her greatest finds.

The actor sadly passed away in 2020 after battling cancer and Marvel Studios ultimately decided against recasting the role. Instead, the hero died off-screen in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and his younger sister, Shuri, inherited the mantle.

Boseman played the hero in Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame; following in his footsteps won't be easy and it appears at least one actor was wary of attempting to do so after being offered the role

In Jeff Sneider's full report, we learn that Marvel Studios approached at least one Hollywood star last year to take over as T'Challa, only to be turned down. It also doesn't sound like this new version - widely believed to be an aged-up Toussaint, Black Panther and Nakia's...

Despite not being active on platforms like X and Instagram, Ms. Marvel star Iman Vellani is a firm fan-favourite on social media. It helps that, like those of you reading this, she's also a fan.

That's likely why her movie reviews on Letterboxd always receive a ton of attention.

Vellani recently returned to the platform to share verdicts on several noteworthy releases; we rarely get to see an actor "review" movies, but her profile makes for fun and insightful reading.

On the comic book movie front, she's given Madame Web a mere 0.5/5* rating. Deadpool & Wolverine gets a 4/5* and Vellani seemingly awarded both Joker: Folie à Deux and Venom: The Last Dance 0*. The Penguin, meanwhile, received a glowing 5/5* score.

However, one update that's generated a lot of discussion is the actor's thoughts on The Marvels. She declined to give it a star rating but wrote, "Actual footage of the girlies and I having fun.

The Casting Society announced its annual Artios Awards nominations on Tuesday, with top Oscar contenders like Wicked, Emilia Pérez, and Conclave among the films highlighted by the Hollywood guild.

In addition to the nominees (the full list is below), the Casting Society announced that Emmy Award nominee Janelle James will host the Artios Awards ceremony next year in Los Angeles, while Baby Reindeer Emmy Award winner Jessica Gunning will handle emcee duties for the ceremony in London. Comedian Jordan Carlos was chosen as the New York ceremony host.

The three ceremonies will take place on Feb. 12.

“As we commemorate the 40th Annual Artios Awards, we are delighted to announce Janelle, Jessica and Jordan as the hosts for our global ceremonies. Their remarkable wit, talent, and dynamic presence perfectly complement what promises to be an extraordinary series of evenings celebrating our community. Additionally, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the...

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Conclave,” “Emilia Pérez,” “Wicked,” “Gladiator II,” “Dune: Part II,” “The Wild Robot” and “Inside Out 2” were among the film nominees for the 40th Artios Awards, which the Casting Society announced Tuesday morning.

The winners will be announced at three different ceremonies that takes place on Feb. 12, 2025. “Abbott Elementary” star Janelle James will host the Los Angeles awards at the Beverly Hilton; “Baby Reindeer” Emmy winner Jessica Gunning will host the London gala at White City House; and comedian Jordan Carlos will host in New York at the Edison Ballroom.

The Artios awards recognize achievement in casting in film, television (scripted and unscripted), commercials and theater.

“As we commemorate the 40th Annual Artios Awards, we are delighted to announce Janelle, Jessica, and Jordan as the hosts for our global ceremonies,” Casting Society president Destiny Lilly said in a statement. “Their remarkable wit, talent, and dynamic presence perfectly complement...

The Casting Society has announced the film nominees for the 40th Artios Awards. “A Complete Unknown,” “Blitz,” “Civil War,” “Dune: Part 2,” “Gladiator 2” and “Queer” are among the nominated films in big budget drama.

In big budget comedy, the nominated films are “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” “Challengers,” “Deadpool & Wolverine,” “Nightbitch,” “Saturday Night” and “Wicked.”

The awards honor casting directors’ contributions to film, television and theatre. Among the casting directors with multiple nominations are Francine Maisler, Nina Gold, Carmen Cuba and Jessica Kelly.

“As we commemorate the 40th Annual Artios Awards, we are delighted to announce Janelle, Jessica, and Jordan as the hosts for our global ceremonies. Their remarkable wit, talent, and dynamic presence perfectly complement what promises to be an extraordinary series of evenings celebrating our community. Additionally, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the exceptional film nominees whose outstanding contributions continue to advance the art of storytelling,” stated Destiny Lilly,...

Casting for Deadpool & Wolverine, Saturday Night and Wicked are among the film nominees for the 40th annual Artios Awards set for February 12. See the full list below.

Janelle James (Abbott Elementary) will host the ceremony at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles, while Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer) will take the emcee duties at the White City House in London. Comedian Jordan Carlos will host of the New York ceremony at the Edison Ballroom.

The annual awards celebration honors the contributions of casting professionals in film, television (scripted and unscripted), commercials and theater. The TV nominees were announced early last month.

“As we commemorate the 40th annual Artios Awards, we are delighted to announce Janelle, Jessica and Jordan as the hosts for our global ceremonies,” Casting Society President Destiny Lilly said. “Their remarkable wit, talent and dynamic presence perfectly complement what promises to be an extraordinary series of evenings celebrating our community.

Did Chris Pratt almost lose his role as Star-Lord? (Photo Credit – Facebook)

Chris Pratt as Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy is the stuff of Hollywood legend. But did you know the journey to that iconic role could have been smoother? Initially, casting director Sarah Halley Finn and director James Gunn saw something in Pratt that others overlooked. They envisioned the goofy guy from Parks and Recreation as the next big action star. But the audition process was a rollercoaster of doubt and tension.

After a rocky initial audition, Gunn brought Pratt in for a final screen test, thinking he had finally found his leading man. But that hope quickly turned to frustration. During the audition, things went south. Pratt struggled, and Gunn intervened: “I don’t know what you’re doing, but you’re blowing it. This is the moment right now. You just need to stop doing whatever...

When the Avengers Almost Had a Different Lineup of Actors: The Surprising Story Behind Marvel’s Original Casting Choices! (Photo Credit – Facebook)

Before Chris Evans suited up as Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger, the role of Cap could’ve had a very different face. The casting process for The First Avenger was stacked with a crazy range of actors who almost snagged the part.

In 2010, when Captain America: The First Avenger was being cast, the paycheck was a modest $300k, and the role came with a six-film deal—nothing compared to what Marvel stars command today. But oh, how things could have gone differently. Chris Evans was far from the only one-eyed for the role of skinny Steve, and before Marvel locked him in, some surprising names popped up on the shortlist.

Actors like Sam Worthington (Avatar) and Will Smith were discussed early on, though neither seriously pursued the role.

Spider-Man: No Way Home united a divided fan base when Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland shared the same screen. The latter mused about playing the part and his MCU debut.

Excitement peaked for Captain America: Civil War when Spider-Man appeared in the trailers. Fans have been anticipating the characters debut following news that Marvel Studios cast Tom Holland. Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfields performances in the role were tough acts to follow, but Hollands previous films proved he could play the part with effortless, boyish charm. Marvels gambit paid off; Holland was immediately accepted as the next Spider-Man, bolstering the MCUs expanding ensemble and playing an integral role in pre and post-Endgame eras. Holland revealed in a Rich Roll podcast he had qualms about his casting before Civil War, doubting he would make a good impression.

Related 10 Best Character Introductions in Movie History

Many iconic characters...

If there is a franchise that has some of the greatest castings in cinema, it's the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It seems to have nothing but great castings by the incredible Sarah Halley Finn and has provided some of the best superhero film performances of all time. It feels pretty unlikely for the Marvel Cinematic Universe to have a truly bad casting, but it's not impossible, as there are a very select few that were not too great.

Marvel Studios' Casting Director Sarah Halley Finn is confident an MCU role can be found for Meryl Streep, and there are many brilliant Marvel Comics characters that the Hollywood legend would be perfect for. Meryl Streep's almost-five-decade acting career has seen her be lauded as one of, if not the, best actors of her generation, so the possibility of her joining the MCU is incredibly exciting. Meryl Streep's versatility has seen her star in comedies, dramas, thrillers and science fiction epics, so she is perfectly primed for a role in a superhero franchise.

Speaking to Variety at Agatha All Along's premiere event in September 2024, Marvel Studios' Casting Director Sarah Halley Finn noted that Meryl Streep is the actor who she hasn't yet cast in the MCU but who she desperately wants. She notes that Streep could play "anything she wants," and suggests that there may have already been conversations between...

Meryl Streep Can Be "Anything She Wants" in the MCU, Casting Director Says - Main Image

Could Meryl Streep be joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Marvel Studios still has a lot on their plate and with the variety of heroes and villains yet to grace the big screens, so there's a huge chance other major Hollywood stars are joining in soon.

Is Meryl Streep Joining the MCU? Casting Director Teases Her Potential Involvement

Rumors about Mamma Mia, Don't Look Up, and Only Murders in the Building star Meryl Streep joining the MCU wouldn't be considered a new thing in 2024.

However, with more Marvel projects coming out in the following years, Marvel Studios casting director Sarah Halley Finn didn't play around and went out with it.

If given the chance, Sarah recently told Variety she would love to have Meryl Streep in the franchise. When asked who Meryl could be playing in Marvel,...

Every so often, rumors that Marvel Studios has been in talks with some of the true Hollywood icons about potentially boarding an upcoming project do the rounds.

Though these reports don't usually pick up any steam, Kevin Feige and co. probably have spoken to pretty much every in-demand actor (or their agents) you can think of at some point or another - this doesn't mean they've officially been in negotiations for a specific role.

Last year, there was some internet scuttlebutt that the legendary Meryl Streep might have taken a meeting with the studio, and during last night's Agatha All Along premiere event, casting director Sarah Halley Finn hinted that this may have been accurate.

We don't need to list off Streep's numerous roles and accolades, but she has mostly avoided big studio blockbuster fare over the years. As Halley Finn suggests in the video interview below, it may simply...

The decision to cast Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Victor Von Doom is an unexpected and exciting choice. Marvel Studios and its casting director, Sarah Finn, have a great track record of casting the right actors for their characters. While some people wish Marvel had hired a Romani actor for the role of Doctor Doom, there's no denying that the San Diego Comic-Con announcement has generated buzz, sparked many discussions, and led to plenty theories among fans, similar to the excitement during the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Infinity Saga days.

The Oscar-winning actor first played the role of Tony Stark in 2008's Iron Man, and 2019 saw him receiving a fitting farewell in Avengers: Endgame. Now, he makes a dramatic return to the franchise he initiated, appearing as one of the Marvel Universe's most formidable antagonists in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. It's a natural progression, almost like a poetic sequence.

There had been rumblings about Robert Downey Jr. returning to the MCU heading into last month's San Diego Comic-Con, but none of us expected him to be announced as Doctor Doom in place of Iron Man! 

The Oscar-winner first suited up as Tony Stark in 2008 and, five years after bidding farewell to the Armoured Avenger in Avengers: Endgame, he'll transform into one of the Marvel Universe's greatest villains in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. 

We completely understand why the decision to cast Downey as Victor Von Doom has proven somewhat divisive but now have some thoughts on why it's actually a good idea. In fact, we'd say this casting decision is the best one Marvel Studios could have made. 

Find out why we think Downey as Doom is the right thing for the Multiverse Saga by clicking the "Next"/"View List" buttons below. 

5. It's Not Predictable

Cillian Murphy, Giancarlo Esposito,...

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is incredibly well known for its spot-on castings, thanks to the very talented casting director Sarah Finn. Over a decade since its inception, it's safe to say that the franchise's batting average is very high. But every rose has its thorns, and the MCU is not exempt from that fact. While there aren't many, the MCU does have a handful of poorly cast characters that wasted the exceptional talents of many actors.

Since the dawn of the MCU, some of the franchise's best assets have been the villains that go up against the heroes of this extraordinary universe. A good villain can make or break a film, and one of the most important aspects of making a great villain is finding someone perfect to portray them. Fortunately, the MCU has always had a very good batting average when it comes to casting, thanks to Sarah Halley Finn, the primary casting director at Marvel Studios.

Presented in partnership with Disney, IndieWire’s “Pass the Remote” FYC series dissected the work of artists and craftspeople throughout the industry with screenings of their work at the Vidiots Foundation in Los Angeles’s Eagle Rock neighborhood. This is IndieWire’s first TV screening and panel series, and each event featured in-person discussions with TV’s behind-the-scenes players moderated by IndieWire editors and others.

“We’re excited to offer evenings of great TV and the first-person experiences of its creators,” said IndieWire senior VP and editor in chief Dana Harris-Bridson in a statement launching the series. “Partnering with Vidiots, one of our favorite screening locations, makes this a true IndieWire event.”

“We’re thrilled to launch this new series with FX, Disney, Hulu, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, Nat Geo, and ABC and celebrate such a wide range of excellence in TV,” said IndieWire Senior VP & Publisher James Israel.

“Pass the...

The Avengers had a talented cast that turned out to be successful both within and outside the MCU, setting the stage for the franchise's popularity. Robert Downey Jr.'s Iron Man was pivotal to The Avengers, leading to iconic moments for more than a decade. Two new Avengers movies will debut in the McU's Phase 6.

The Avengers featured one of the most talented rosters in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and more than ten years later, the movie's cast has gone on to be part of some amazing projects. Among the many people responsible for the success of the MCU over the years is casting director Sarah Halley Finn, who has assembled the cast of pretty much every MCU project since 2008's Iron Man including The Avengers's.

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As one of the best MCU movies, 2012's The Avengers also features...

The MCU currently has numerous projects in development, both movies and shows, despite Iger’s announcement that their creative output will significantly decrease to 2-3 movies and 2 live-action shows per year.

Many projects were greenlit before the SAG-AFTRA strike and the subsequent failure of several ventures, and now they need to be completed.

One such project is ‘Armor Wars.’ Initially conceived as a movie, it was redeveloped into a show, and now it’s back to being a movie again. According to the production schedule, ‘Armor Wars’ is set to begin filming on January 6, 2025, in Atlanta, USA. Although details about the movie are scarce, the production listing has provided a brief synopsis:

Cheadle returns as James Rhodes aka War Machine in Armor Wars, about Tony Stark’s worst fear coming true: what happens when his tech falls into the wrong hands. Stark discovers that someone has been stealing his...

MCU currently has plenty of projects in the works both movies & shows, despite Iger announcing that their creative output will significantly decrease to 2-3 movies a year and 2 live-action shows per year.

Still, plenty of projects were greenlit before the SAG-AFTRA strike and the consequent failure of several projects, and at this point, they have to be finished.

One such project is ‘Armor Wars.’ It was initially imagined as a movie, only to be redeveloped as a show and now it’s back to being a movie again. According to the production list ‘Armor Wars’ should start filming on January 6, 2025, in Atlanta, USA. Next to nothing is known about the movie but the production listing did provide us with a short synopsis:

Cheadle returns as James Rhodes aka War Machine in Armor Wars, about Tony Stark’s worst fear coming true: what happens when his tech falls into the wrong hands.

IndieWire launched our “Pass the Remote” FYC TV screening series, produced in partnership with Disney, with a dynamic casting directors panel April 25, two Disney Storytellers panels April 29, and a panel about “Abbott Elementary” May 20.

Next up? A “Jim Henson Idea Man” panel on May 24 celebrating the documentary about the Muppets creator, which just premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Like all events in the “Pass the Remote” screening series, it will take place at the Vidiots Foundation in Los Angeles’s Eagle Rock neighborhood.

Legendary director Ron Howard will be in attendance on the panel, as will composer David Fleming and editor Paul Crowder. Howard is a two-time Oscar winner. In recent vintage, he’s become a more prolific documentary director, with films such as “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week” (2016), “Pavarotti” (2019), “Rebuilding Paradise” (2020), and 2022’s profile of Jose Andres and the World Central Kitchen, “We Feed People.”

“Jim Henson...

Disparage the Marvel Cinematic Universe all you want, but there's no denying that when it comes to casting, Kevin Feige and the McU's longtime casting director, Sarah Halley Finn, have the magic touch. It's all but impossible now to picture anyone other than Robert Downey Jr. lending his snarky wit to the self-declared "genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist" Tony Stark, or to imagine a different actor bringing the same spot-on mix of wholesomeness and New Yorker defiance like Chris Evans did as Steve Rogers. And let's not forget Thor and Loki, two Marvel Comics veterans who could've easily been dismissed as dorky C-listers, only to become the franchise's most long-lasting players thanks to Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston.

For all of its missteps, that hasn't changed in the MCU post-"Avengers: Endgame." Esteemed character actors Oscar Isaac, Hailee Steinfeld, and Florence Pugh all brought the full brunt of their talents to...

Instead of traveling too far back in time, let’s take a peek at Tom Holland’s Spider-Man screen test with Chris Evans; the moments that defined his MCU career, and turned him into the fan-favorite web-slinger. His old audition tape before his big debut in Captain America: Civil War has been making rounds on the internet for years.

Tom Holland as Peter Parker aka Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home

Looking back at the screen test tape shared via X, fans are taken on a nostalgic trip, back to the good old days of the MCU. Reliving the moments, netizens recall Og Avengers and reminisce about the time when Marvel used to be about quality content and gripping storylines.

Tom Holland’s Old Screen Test With Chris Evans Resurfaces

It was undoubtedly a daunting task for Tom Holland, to not only become the third live-action Spider-Man but also make...

Marvel hasn't been having the best time of late and the shaky attempt to recapture lightning in a bottle that was "Thor: Love and Thunder" is a good example. Whereas its predecessor, "Thor: Ragnarok," saw star Chris Hemsworth leaning into his comedic sensibilities to great effect, even Hemsworth himself agreed that "Love and Thunder" was just too silly. But when the God of Thunder made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut all the way back in 2011, the opposite was true.

Whereas "Iron Man," the film that changed Hollywood forever by kicking off the massively popular interconnected universe, was led by Robert Downey Jr. and his magnetic charisma, 2011's "Thor" was a darker affair that embraced the character's origins and delivered what was essentially a fantasy adventure with relative unknowns in the lead roles of Thor and Loki. In the late-aughts, Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston did not enjoy the superstar status they do today,...

No man is an island. As much as we hate to admit it, sometimes, no one gets anywhere in life without someone believing in them. The same is true for Hollywood. It takes the stars aligning (pun intended) for any success story for anyone to really make it, and especially to escape the shadow of how they may be initially perceived.

There may be no better example of that than Mr. Channing Tatum. He told GQ in 2009, “I got crazy lucky. Like, sometimes I think I won the lottery or something. I don’t really know how I got here. But I just keep moving forward, and it just keeps getting better and better.” Had the stars aligned differently, he could have been just an exotic dancer and never entered the public consciousness. Or just a model. Or just played a jock. Or just played generic romantic leads. Or just played generic action roles.

Over the past year, Jonathan Majors has experienced a significant and unforeseen shift in his professional life. From being a rising star in Hollywood with a prominent role in a major franchise, he found himself dismissed from the same project following his arrest in connection with an alleged domestic dispute.

A still from Loki | Credit: Marvel StudiosHowever, his trajectory within the MCU could have been jeopardized even before it began. In a 2023 interview with Vanity Fair, the 34-year-old actor shared that he almost walked out of his first Marvel meeting with the studio as he felt out of place.

Jonathan Majors Recalled Leaving His First Meeting With Marvel

In a conversation with Vanity Fair, the former MCU star Jonathan Majors recalled the time he decided to walk out of his first meeting with the studio. “I hope this doesn’t bite me in the ass, but I walked out of my Marvel general [meeting],” he said.

Jonathan Majors has become a controversial figure over the past year, and it has greatly affected his career. After several brands dropped him as an endorser, Marvel Studios immediately fired him as soon as he was found guilty.

Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror

He played Kang the Conqueror, one of the most highly anticipated villains in the history of the MCU. When asked how he got the coveted role, Majors claimed he did not even break a sweat. Indeed, no audition happened.

How Jonathan Majors Snagged Kang The Conqueror Role

Speaking with Total Film via Twitter, actor Jonathan Majors shared he joined the MCU without going through tryouts. He believed the studio bosses probably saw a performance of his that sparked their interest, though he could not ascertain which film it was.

“I guess after The Last Black Man in San Francisco. I can’t say it was that film at all.

Joe Locke is excited about joining the MCU, and has shared more about his upcoming role in Agatha: Darkhold Diaries. Locke praises the creators of WandaVision and Agatha: Darkhold Diaries for their character development skills. Theories suggest Locke may be playing Billy Kaplan, the reincarnated son of the Scarlet Witch, in Agatha: Darkhold Diaries.

One of the newest additions to the MCU has shared his excitement about joining Marvel Studios, ahead of the premiere of Phase 5's Agatha: Darkhold Diaries. Following the success of WandaVision and the popularity of Kathryn Hahn's original Salem witch Agatha Harkness, Marvel Studios confirmed a dedicated spinoff for the new MCU villain, with Jac Schaeffer returning as the series' showrunner and lead director. Marvel Studios' Agatha: Darkhold Diaries is set to premiere on Disney+ in late 2024, and will introduce a whole host of new characters to the MCU, including a coven of witches portrayed by fantastic female actors.

Kathryn Newton loves being part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.The 27-year-old actress - who played Cassie Lang in 2023's 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania' - has fulfilled a long-held dream by becoming part of the money-spinning film franchise.The Hollywood star told Empire magazine: "I started watching those movies when I was eight years old. So they're a big part of my life. "Honestly, one of the biggest goals of my career was to be a Marvel superhero. I would do it forever if I could."Despite this, Kathryn remains determined to try her hand at different roles and on-screen challenges over the coming years.The actress was just four years old when she landed her first role in 'Bun-Bun', a short film for HBO, and she remains as enthusiastic about her work as she ever has been.Recalling her debut appearance, Kathryn said: "I didn't even...

The Oscars added a category for casting, and it’s about damn time.

The announcement of the new category, slated to debut in 2026 for films released in 2025, has been warmly received on social media by awards aficionados. Many consider it a long-overdue acknowledgment, especially since the Casting Directors Branch was established over a decade ago in 2013. However, this raises questions about future categories and if, when, and how they will be accommodated in an awards ceremony that aims to stay under three hours.

It’s important to note that the Academy has yet to commit to featuring the best achievement in casting award during the televised ceremony. Details regarding eligibility and voting for the inaugural award will be disclosed in April 2025, alongside the complete rules for the 98th Academy Awards. The presentation method will be determined by the Academy’s Board of Governors and its administrative leadership at a later date.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the character of Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) first appeared in Anthony and Joe Russo's 2016 fight flick "Captain America: Civil War," a film about multiple superheroes sectioning off and fighting one another over the issue of governmental oversight. Those fighting for increased oversight were Iron Man, Black Widow, the Vision, War Machine, Spider-Man, and Black Panther. They faced off against several characters who were fighting on the wrong side of the conflict. Boseman would eventually be given his own solo superhero flick with "Black Panther" in 2018. 

It seems, however, that Boseman almost became a different superhero in the same series, which would have seen his MCU debut two years earlier. It seems that when James Gunn was casting his 2014 film "Guardians of the Galaxy," Boseman auditioned for the role of Drax the Destroyer. Drax, of course, is the none-too-bright, sage-skinned, near-indestructible space alien who serves...