Marvelmovies are big business. From theAvengersfranchise and all the interconnected heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, on screens both big and small, to the ever-expanding world of theX-MenandDeadpool,Marvel is the biggest name in cinema currently. Not to mention the Sony-steeredSpider-Manmovies, going all the way back to Sam Raimi’s original trilogy. It seems like the franchise is ever-expanding and the perfect opportunity for any actor to boost their career, but that doesn’t mean every big-name actor and A-list talent in Hollywood wants to be associated with these characters. Some heavyweight actors have straight-up said no way when Marvel came knocking.
Updated July 10, 2025: This article has been updated to include new and fresh content for your enjoyment.
It is hard to believe anyone would say no to a Marvel movie, but many have. A lot ofrumors have swirled about castingFantastic Fourin the MCU. Names like Adam Driver, Margot Robbie, Matt Smith, and Vanessa Kirby have all been swirling around with every new rumor making fans think an actor turned it down. While it is unclear if actors are turning the film down, if they were ever actually approached, or if Marvel instead turned them down after realizing they weren’t right for the part, we will never know until someone gives an interview confirming they turned the project down. Yet it does make for an interesting discussion about which actors were offered big Marvel projects and turned them down. This is different than actors like Tom Cruise, who was at one point attached to be Iron Man, but instead, actors who flat out said no upfront.
12Leonardo DiCaprio
At this point, we’ve seen no less than three actors on the big screen as Peter Parker. About a decade before Sam Raimi got the wall-crawler off the ground with his 2002 film,James Cameron was set on making aSpider-Manfilmwith Carolco Pictures, the independent production company responsible for a slew of movies in the 80s and 90s, likeRambo,Showgirls,Universal Soldier, and Cameron’s ownTerminator 2: Judgment Day. But Carolco rather famously went bust in 1995, with Cameron moving forward withTitanicinstead.
Sony Pictures was all about Cameron’sSpider-Manscript, though, and were eager to get hisTitanicstar into the tights. Alas, just asLeonardo DiCaprioonce turned down playing Robin in Joel Schumacher’sBatman Forever, he passed on Peter Parker. Looking back on it now, it was probably for the best that the franchise worked out the way it did, but it is hard to deny the idea of Leonardo DiCaprio as Spider-Man is an exciting one.
11Quinton Jackson
Quinton Jacksonwas originally a trained fighter, but he started to dabble in acting when the FoxX-Menmovies were being released Jackson was going to play the part of a mutant inX-Men Origins: Wolverine. Jackson was approached to play the role of teleporter John Wraith. However, like what happened with many actors, his schedule did not allow for it, and the role went to Black Eyed Peas artist will.i.am.
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It’s hard to say if Jackson would have been better off choosing to participate in theX-Menfranchise, but maybeX-Men Origins: Wolverinewouldn’t have been the best opportunityfor him as an actor, regardless.
10Russell Crowe
In 2000,Russell Crowewas on top of the world thanks to his performance in the movie Gladiator. Yet his entire career, and that of another Australian actor could have been altered. X-Men opened the same summer as Gladiator, and director Bryan Singer wanted Crowe to play Wolverine. Crowe passed on the project but did suggest his fellow Australian Hugh Jackman.
Singer and Fox drafted Dougray Scott instead. After multiple production issues, including a shoulder injury, caused delays on the set ofMission: Impossible 2,Fox held out for Scott as long as possible, even getting as much as a month into shooting while waiting for him to get free of his commitment to Cruise and Paramount. Scott had to go. Hugh Jackman was getting fitted for his claws and leather costume less than a week after finalizing his deal. The rest, as they say, is superhero movie history. Crowe would eventually work with Marvel many years later,playing ZeusinThor: Love and Thunder,and will now appear as Nikolai Kravinoff inKraven the Hunter.
9Joaquin Phoenix
Russell Crowe’sGladiatorco-starJoaquin Phoenixhas never been in a Marvel movie, but that doesn’t seem to be due to lack of opportunity. A number of names were thrown around in the trades when Marvel started castingDoctor Strange, before Benedict Cumberbatch ended the “Will he or won’t he?” guessing game and slid on the Cloak of Levitation so clearly destined for him.
By many accounts, the role could’ve gone toJoaquin Phoenix. He just didn’t want it. He didn’t address the Sorcerer Supreme specifically, but he did tell Time Out London he just doesn’t see his sensibilities meshing well with the big tent pole franchise universe building. “They’ve gotten better,” he admitted. “I’ve flirted with several of those films, having meetings and getting close, but ultimately it never felt like they’d really be fulfilling.” In fact, it is highly rumored the delay to Marvel’s San Diego Comic-Con panel in 2014 was running late because they were hoping to finalize a deal with Phoenix to announce him as Doctor Strange but never materialized.
8Rachel McAdams
WhileRachel McAdamshas since joined the Marvel Universe as Dr. Christine Palmer in Doctor Strange and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she had been pursued for many other She was approached to play Pepper Potts in Iron Man. She turned down the role, along with parts in films likeCasino Royale,The Devil Wears Prada,Mission: Impossible 3,Get SmartandThe Dark Knight.
7Emily Blunt
Emily Blunthas had to say no to Marvel not once but twice. TheDevil Wears Pradastar was the original choice for Black Widow. She would have made her debut as Black Widow inIron Man 2, a role that would be critical to the franchise. Yet Blunt was forced to turn the movie down due to Fox reportedly had her under a contract for a film of their choosing. The studio choseGulliver’s Travels, the schedule for which prevented her from showing up inIron Man 2. A bummer, for sure, considering how the Jack Black vehicle turned out.
She was also offered the role of Peggy Carter inThe First Avenger,but it is unclear why she turned it down. Possibly after her husband, John Krasinski lost the part of Captain America. Since then, she has been a fan favorite for the role of Sue Storm, aka The Invisible Woman inFantastic Four, butshe has shown no interest in taking the role.
6Jason Momoa
It is an unwritten rule that Marvel and DC are enemies, and no actor can play a part in both franchises.Jason Momoadecided to be on the DC side of things withAquaman, but he was almost inGuardians of the Galaxy. Momoa was offered the part of Drax the Destroyer. While his physicality as an actor would have made him great for the role, Momoa turned it down in an attempt to avoid being typecast all the time. He wanted to explore other roles where he couldshow off his range as an actor. It all worked out in the end, as Dave Bautista has been a great Drax, and it is hard to imagine the character working with any other actor.
5Jessica Chastain
Jessica Chastainwas certainly a star on the rise in the early 2010s. Her three roles inTree of Life, Take Shelter,andThe Helpin 2011 made her a breakout star and one everyone wanted to work with, and at the time, Marvel was casting Iron Man 3. Chastain was offered the role of Maya Hansen, the role that would later be played by Rebecca Hall. Chastain turned down the role, but Marvel would later approach her about playing the Wasp in Ant-Man. She also turned that part down and instead appeared in the X-Men filmDark Phoenix.
4Mel Gibson
Robert Downey Jr., whose own career was once slipping down the tabloid tubes, has publicly offered to return the redemption favor to troubled starMel Gibson, going on record that he’d love to see his pal join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But the originalMad Maxactually said no to Marvel already. In a 2016 interview at the Cannes Film Festival,The Guardiannewspaper asked him whether he’d ever been offered a superhero movie. “Yeah, long time ago,” he answered. “To play Thor’s dad. But I didn’t do it.” Thor’s dad! Yes, Odin the All-Father, could have been Mel Gibson.
Related:10 Actors Who Almost Played Iconic Superheroes (but Ended Up Playing Supervillains Instead)
In the end, Marvel Studios cast Anthony Hopkins, and that was a better call overall. Marvel and Disney likely would not want to deal with the press headache Mel Gibson would bring, given hispast controversial comments.
3Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfriedis an accomplished performer known for her work in films likeMean Girls,Mamma Mia, andJennifer’s Body. She was a star, so it made sense Marvel Studios approached her forGuardians of the Galaxy, likely thinking she would lend some box office draw to their obscure Marvel title. YetSeyfried turned the role of Gamora down, thinking the movie would be a bomb.
Zoe Saldana eventually got the part, and the rest is history.Guardians of the Galaxywent on to become a box office smash hit and launched one of the most successful franchises in the MCU.
