Despite a wealth of actors having appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, not all of them are likely to return inAvengers: DoomsdayorAvengers: Secret Wars. As theMCU’s movie timelinehas introduced a staggering number of characters inspired by the pages of Marvel Comics, the franchise hasn’t always been able to keep them all at the forefront of its projects. As such, there are many instances of characters who haven’t been seen for some time withinthe MCU timeline.
However, within the movies andTV shows of the MCU, there have also been actors who have since left the franchise. Though the multiverse has unlocked the potential to resurrect dead characters or facilitate imaginative returns for long unseen figures, the actors in question have made their returns in future Avengers movies incredibly unlikely. With that in mind, here are 10 actors unlikely to return forAvengers 5and6, and why they seemingly won’t come back to the MCU.
10Dave Bautista As Drax
Last Appeared In: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
After theending ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it seemed that many of the trilogy’s main characters might not return to the MCU, simply because their narrative arcs had come to a natural end. One such character was Dave Bautista’s Drax, particularly as the actor announced that he would be leaving the MCU behind afterVol. 3. Subsequent interviews have not made his return seem any more likely.
In an interview withGizmodo, Bautista was asked about the likelihood of an MCU return.He firmly asserted that he was done with Drax, but that he would be open to appear as a different character. Considering the scope of the MCU’s multiverse, this is possible, but not entirely plausible. With the MCU already having facilitated Robert Downey Jr.’s return in a recast role, it’s unlikely they would do the same with Dave Bautista ahead ofAvengers 5&6.
9Hugo Weaving As Red Skull
Last Appeared In: Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Hugo Weaving is an actor with a wealth of experience in franchise roles, and his turn as the Red Skull inCaptain America: The First Avengershowed that he was an excellent fit for the villain. However, Red Skull did not reappear untilAvengers: Infinity War, where he had been subtly recast. Instead of Weaving, Ross Marquand played the villain, and only in a relatively small capacity considering his status as a major Marvel antagonist.
In an interview withTime Outin 2020, Weaving explained that his attempts to reprise the role were met with difficult negotiations with Marvel Studios. Ultimately, no agreement could be reached and Weaving neglected to return, making his reappearance in futureAvengersmovies seem unlikely. What’s more,as Marquand has since taken over the role, it’s more likely that if Red Skull was to appear, that it would be him rather than Weavingto play the villain.
8Scarlett Johansson As Black Widow
Last Appeared In: Black Widow (2021)
As one of the founding Avengers in themovies of the MCU, Scarlet Johansson’s Black Widow served as a key figure throughout the Infinity Saga. Her death inAvengers: Endgamewas as shocking as it was heroic, with her sacrifice allowing the Avengers to undo Thanos’ snap and save countless lives. Considering her importance within the MCU, Scarlet Johansson has been quizzed multiple times on a possible return, though it seems unlikely to happen.
Johansson herself has been measured in her answers, not explicitly ruling out the possibility of a return despite what it would mean forBlack Widow’s ending. However, it’s notable that Johansson has returned to the MCU as an executive producer forThunderbolts*, suggesting this is the capacity she will be involved in any other projects as well, rather than appearing as Natasha on-screen. Though it’s certainly within the realms of possibility,it seems incredibly unlikely that Johansson’s Black Widow will be resurrected in the MCUto facilitate the actor’s return.
7Terrence Howard As War Machine
Last Appeared In: Iron Man (2008)
After appearing as Colonel James “Rhodey” Rhodes in 2008’sIron Man, Terrence Howard was recast for the sequel, with Don Cheadle assuming the role and donning the War Machine armor in the MCU. The reasons that Howard was recast have since been publicly aired, with the actor feeling particularly aggrieved by his experience working with Marvel Studios. The actor has been outspoken on the issue, making it clear that he’s not likely to return.
It seems all but impossible for the MCU to bring back Howard’s iteration of Rhodey for upcomingAvengersmovies. Though he could theoretically appear as a variant,it would be a needless revisitation of a previous casting that ended acrimoniously. Though Howard has since stated that he holds no ill will toward Marvel, his focus on other projects would likely prevent him from making an MCU return.
6Clark Gregg As Phil Coulson
Last Appeared In: Captain Marvel (2019)
Clark Gregg is another actor that was present in the MCU’s earliest movie, and played a major role in Phase 1 of the franchise. Phil Coulson’s death inThe Avengerswas what galvanized the heroes into uniting as a team, making his demise an important part of the MCU’s canon. His later role inAgents of SHIELDexpanded upon his previous appearance in the MCU proper, though whether the show is canon has always been kept deliberately vague.
Gregg has said that he would be happy to return to the MCU, but it seems unlikely to happen in upcomingAvengersmovies, if at all.The simple fact of his previous death and subsequent resurrection forAgents of SHIELDalready makes his place in MCU canon murky, and ironing out such details for what would likely amount to a cameo seems entirely unnecessary. As a result, it would seem that Gregg will not return as Agent Coulson inAvengers 5&6.
5Zachary Levi As Fandral
Last Appeared In: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)
After Josh Dallas played Fandral in 2011’sThor, Zachary Levi was cast in the role for the sequel, 2013’sThor: The Dark World. He then reprized the role inThor: Ragnarok, only for Hela to unceremoniously kill him and the other members of the Warriors Three. Considering his abrupt death, only a multiversal resurrection would lead to his plausible return inAvengers 5or6, though this does not seem at all likely to happen.
While appearing on theHappy, Sad, Confused Podcast, Levi explained that he was misled about Fandral and the Warriors Three’s role inThe Dark World. He claimed to have voiced concerns about the way the characters were handled in the 2011 film, and asserted that he had been assured they would play a larger role in the sequels.Though Levi didn’t seem to harbor any resentment, his comments make it all the more unlikely that he’ll return, even if the MCU opted to revive a character as relatively minor as Fandral.
4Mickey Rourke As Whiplash
Last Appeared In: Iron Man 2 (2010)
Another actor unlikely to reprise his role from Phase 1 of the MCU is Mickey Rourke, who played the villain Whiplash inIron Man 2. Despite his death,Whiplash could also be resurrected via the multiverse, but it’s all but an impossibility that Marvel will tempt Mickey Rourke back to the role. The actor has been incredibly outspoken on his brief stint in the MCU, and how he does not consider it to have been a particularly positive experience.
Rourke has claimed that many of his scenes were cut, removing much of the context for his character’s actions. Rourke believes that this ultimately made Whiplash seem far less interesting and complex than he could have been had the entirety of his performance been used. Considering Rourke’s account of working with Marvel, it’s unlikely he would wish to reprize the role, and there doesn’t seem to be a real reason for the MCU to wish to bring the villain back for upcoming releases.
3India Hemsworth As Love
Last Appeared In: Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
Chris Hemsworth’s turn as Thor in the MCU has been remarkable, and the actor enlisted his daughter, India Hemsworth, to play the role of Love inThor: Love and Thunder. Despite being in the title, Love was a relatively minor role, butLove and Thunder’s endingteases a big future for the character. Nevertheless, it does not seem as though India Hemsworth will reprise her role in upcomingAvengersmovies.
In an interview withEntertainment Tonight, Chris Hemsworth explained that he wants India to experience a normal childhood before pursuing a career in acting. Considering her age, this makes it all but impossible for her to appear inAvengers 5or6, particularly as Hemsworth believes that his daughter isn’t interested in a major acting career at present. Though an MCU return for India Hemsworth is certainly possible, it seems as though it will not happen inAvengers 5and6.
2Michael Douglas As Hank Pym
Last Appeared In: Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania (2023)
Michael Douglas lends a huge amount of star power to the MCU, and plays one of a select few aging characters to form an older generation of heroes in the franchise. Though he has never been the MCU’s main Ant-Man, he has been a major supporting player in many narratives, making him a potentially important figure in future stories. Even so, his return forAvengers 5and6is looking less and less likely.
Douglas claims to have asked for his character to be killed off inAnt-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania(viaEntertainment Weekly), and has also said that the only way he’d return for anotherAnt-Manmovie would be for Hank Pym to die.His comments make it seem as though he’s done with his MCU role, and is looking for a way to end Hank Pym’s storywithin the franchise. As such, it does not seem likely that Douglas will return as Pym in upcomingAvengerstitles.
1Chris Evans As Steve Rogers
Last Appeared In: Avengers: Endgame (2019)
For the entirety of the MCU’s Infinity Saga, Chris Evans played one of the franchise’s most important characters in Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America. However,Avengers: Endgamesaw the character pass the mantle to Sam Wilson, retiring into a civilian life via time travel and giving him a definitive ending. Despite rumors that Evans could return via the Multiverse, it seems unlikely to happen for several reasons.
Evans made his multiversal MCU return inDeadpool & Wolverineas Johnny Storm, reprising his earlier Marvel role instead. This makes it seem even less likely that he will return so soon after as Steve Rogers, especially as it would effectively undo the character’s satisfying ending. Considering the actor’s recent Marvel past and the character’s own MCU ending, it does not seem plausible for him to return again for upcomingAvengersmovies.
