As we look into the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appreciating the characters we have had to say goodbye to is always a fun trip down memory lane. Now, we are all excited to see Anthony Mackie taking on the role of Captain America as Sam Wilson. In fact, passing on the legacy to Sam is one of the most iconic Captain America moments in all the MCU. Once Captain America: The First Avenger hit our screens, Chris Evans established himself as the face of Steve Rogers’ Captain America. In fact, it is hard for anyone to picture another actor playing the role. However, like many parts of the entertainment industry, other actors were considered and very well could have been chosen for the role.
Finding the right person to fill such an iconic role is not an easy process. Although we pretty much know that Marvel got things right with Evans, it is interesting to see the “could have been” scenarios with other actors considered for the role. Let’s dive deep into these multiverses, and explore 10 actors who were almost cast as Captain America.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
11 John Krasinski
Marvel Studios
To kick it off, did you know that John Krasinski was once considered for the Steve Rogers/Captain America role? Long ago, the Office alum once auditioned to portray the iconic character. Although he wasn’t chosen for the role, Krasinski did happen to find his place in the MCU: he was most recently seen portraying Reed Richards, or Mister Fantastic, in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
10 Sebastian Stan
Looking at the MCU today, it is hard to see the casting of our favorite heroes as anything less than perfect. In this multiverse, let’s just imagine Sebastian Stan as Captain America. Stan plays Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier, in the MCU. He is Steve Roger’s best friend and one of his strongest allies. Stan was also once considered for the role of Captain America, and, oh, how things would have been different if it had worked out.
9 Chris Pratt
Chris Pratt, another MCU actor, also went for the role of Captain America. This franchise is no stranger to some famous Chris(es): Pratt, Hemsworth, and Evans. Pratt, although he was in the conversation to become Captain America, fits perfectly in his role as Starlord in the Guardians of the Galaxy films. Pratt’s easy-going personality and natural charisma are perfect for the role he is in. However, with his acting chops, we don’t doubt that he would have brought something new to the role.
8 Wyatt Russell
Playing Captain America is a tall order. If you have been keeping up with the post-Endgame MCU, you probably recognize Wyatt Russell. Russell plays John Walker AKA the knock-off Captain America in Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. He does play a pretty unlikable and completely insufferable version of Captain America. So, there is some justifiable skepticism surrounding his ability to play the original. He was in fact considered for the role once before Evans was cast (via PEOPLE). However, he has made his place in the MCU now.
7 Wilson Bethel
Netflix
Just because you didn’t get one role, it doesn’t mean that your run in the MCU is over. Wilson Bethel is another name considered for the role of Captain America, only to be inserted into the MCU in another role later on. Bethel plays the villain Bullseye in Daredevil, and he does an outstanding job at it.
6 Ryan Phillippe
Screen Media
Ryan Phillippe is another actor who reportedly auditioned for the role of Captain America. Like every other actor mentioned here, Phillippe also could not outdo Evans for the Captain America role. However, he does have a few acting roles that stand out throughout the span of his career including 1997’s I Know What You Did Last Summer and the 2020 show Big Sky.
5 Kellan Lutz
Summit Entertainment
Kellan Lutz is another actor who auditioned for the role of Captain America. Especially in the early stages of the MCU, landing a role like this one would have been life-changing. It is understandable that many aspiring actors were hoping to get it. Although Lutz was not chosen for the role, he did manage to work his way into a major franchise. You probably recognize Lutz most from his role as Emmett Kullen in the Twilight movies.
4 Alexander Skarsgård
Warner Bros. Pictures
It is believed that Alexander Skarsgård happened to audition for Captain America and Thor. If you have ever laid eyes on Skarsgård, he really has the look for either one of the believed heroes. However, he did not land either one of the roles. That said, he never slowed down as an actor. He starred and had roles in 2016’s The Legend of Tarzan, in 2022’s The Northman, and in shows like True Blood and Big Little Lies.
3 Scott Eastwood
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Miramax
Scott Eastwood is all over the film industry. He has been a part of the Fast and Furious franchise, The Suicide Squad, and even the romance film The Longest Ride. However, before all of this, Eastwood went out for the role as Steve Rogers/Captain America. By the looks of his filmography, this is another choice that would have made perfect sense in the MCU.
2 Garrett Hedlund
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Actors who are active in the industry today explore the possibility of roles all the time. Sometimes, picking and choosing which roles are right is hard. With a role that requires as much commitment as Captain America, taking time to consider the opportunity is key. Well, Garrett Hedlund, who plays Sam Flynn in Tron: Legacy, reportedly turned down the role for other opportunities, per Fadeinonline.
1 Chace Crawford
Prime Video
As mentioned before, commitment to a role like Captain America in the MCU is vital to the success of the character. Chaee Crawford was definitely in the talks for the role. However, due to his ongoing presence in Gossip Girl, it did not seem that time will allow him to commit to the part. Since then, Crawford has played roles in the action series The Boys and in the 2020 thriller film Inheritance.
