Superhero films have been subjected to a lot of praise and criticism as their popularity continues to grow. As bothMarveland DC’s franchises continue to expand, they fall victim to additional scrutiny. As additional characters are brought in to tell their stories, the difference in how a director or writer chooses to tell it doesn’t always fit in with the idea fans have created. Sometimes, the issues fans have with superhero films begin with the casting process.
Fans ofMarveland DC are among the most outspoken. They are never afraid toshare their hopes and theoriesfor where the franchise will go in the future. For many, that includes the characters they hope to see on the screen next and the actors that should bring them to life. Unfortunately, some fans don’t take into account all the qualities that bring these characters to life when creating their dream castings.
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There have been plenty of actors and actresses that fans have heavily advocated to see in these cinematic universes. The success ofSpider-Man: No Way Homebringing Spider-Man alumni into the MCU has changed what many fans have thought possible. The upcoming release ofDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesshas opened the floodgates of what fans are expecting and hoping to see. Some fans have suggested that theDoctor Strangesequel may include cameos from The Fantastic Four and the X-Men, officially initiating those characters into the MCU.
Following Hugh Jackman’s final stint as Wolverine inLogan, many have wondered who will take on the role if the mutant group ever appears in the MCU. Jackman leaves difficult shoes to fill after playing the role for nearly 20 years. Fans have begun their own searches for finding the next Wolverine and among themost recent fan castings, is Daniel Radcliffe. Radcliffe is best known for playing Harry Potter in the young wizard franchise, but he has been involved in a range of projects to avoid being typecast. After starring inHarry Potter, Radcliffe has appeared in countless comedies, dramas, action films, and thrillers, demonstrating his ability to adapt to any type of role.
In Radcliffe’s ability to immerse himself in any role he takes on, he is much like Jackman.Jackman is a versatile actor himself, starring in a number of dramas, thrillers, romances, and musicals, all while continuing to play the stoic X-Men star, Wolverine. Radcliffe’s commitment to delivering wonderful performances can’t be taken away from him; however, it doesn’t mean he’s the right fit for Wolverine. Physically, Radcliffe has a look that can be made to look incredibly similar to Jackman, if that is what Marvel is looking for. The fan selection of Radcliffe as Wolverine brings one of the largest issues with fan casting to light.
Typically, when fans rally behind an actor they hope to see fulfill an iconic hero or villain, they base it on what the actor looks like. What some often forget is that thephysical appearance of these comic book charactersis arguably the least important piece of the casting process. What matters is the actor’s ability to embody the style and mannerisms of the character they will play. While these characters come from a line of notorious comic book storylines, there is no rule that says these characters must appear exactly as their comic book counterparts do. In the past, Marvel has demonstrated that the physical appearance of the character isn’t what matters most to them.
In the 2005Fantastic Fourfilm, Chris Evans played a comic book accuratedepiction of Johnny Storm. In 2015,Fantastic Fourwas remade, and a brand-new lineup assumed the iconic Marvel roles. Michael B. Jordan would play the Human Torch in the remake, changing the physical appearance of the character. The 2015 film isn’t regarded as a successful reboot, but that isn’t because of Jordan’s performance as Human Torch. The change in the character’s appearance didn’t affect the issues the group faced, nor did it impact anyone’s understanding of the characters.
Eternalscontinued whatFantastic Fourstarted. In the comics, Makkari is actually a male character. In Chloé Zhao’s 2021 film adaptation, Makkari is played by Lauren Ridloff, a deaf woman of color. This change in the character actuallydid wonders forEternals,once again emphasizing that these characters don’t have to appear identical to their comic book counterparts. Many otherEternalscharacters underwent alterations as well, including Ajak (who is traditionally male in the comics) and Sprite.
More often than not, fan castings remain just that. Actors and actresses that fans hope to see in the roles are usually not the stars that end up playing the character upon the project’s release. However, some are reasonable castings that have the potential to turn out well. Take John Krasinski for example. With talks of the Fantastic Four swirling around the MCU, fans quickly began to advocate for Krasinski to play Reed Richards. Krasinski certainlycontinues the traditional look of Reedthat has been portrayed by Ioan Gruffudd and most recently, Miles Teller, but he also has the capability to play Reed. Krasinski has demonstrated that he is capable of delivering quippy one-liners, building suspense in climactic moments, and working well in an ensemble cast. Krasinski’s range throughout his career actually makes him an ideal choice for Reed.
Those who have advocated for Radcliffe to take on the role of Wolverine may consider many of his previous roles as proof that he is capable of filling the shoes Jackman left behind. Wolverine isn’t a particularly comedic character, but Radcliffe has proven that he can be serious. The stunts a character like Wolverine requires may alsonot be far out of Radcliffe’s wheelhouse, but the character would force him to dig deep and tap into a side of his acting skills that none of his roles have required in the past. Amongst the hundreds of actors who would want a shot at the role of Wolverine, it’s difficult to say that Radcliffe would be considered the best option to fill Jackman’s spot. The fan choice as Radcliffe as the next Wolverine may just be another fan casting that remains a figment of imagination.
