Recasting the MCU: Part 6

By Austin Johnson

We’re gonna have some fun with this group! We got a couple of villains, a couple of fan favorite supporting characters, and then an absolute titan of Marvel. Part 6, just like every part of this recasting project, is dedicated to King Chadwick Boseman.

5.) John Travolta as Ivan Vanko/Whiplash

Portrayed by Mickey Rourke in the MCU.

If John Travolta could grow his hair out to look like Vincent Vega, then we’re in business for a real wacky Whiplash. Travolta is two years younger than Mickey Rourke and they were both born in the north east. I’m not really into any of the three Iron Man films and I don’t think this swap is an end all be all type swap, so why not? It’s so wild that those guys are almost in their 70’s and both well over 70 acting credits each.

4.) Michaela Coel as Shuri

Portrayed by Letitia Wright in the MCU.

Letitia Wright was born on Halloween in 1993. That’s pretty dope and I’m going to swap her out for someone that was also born in October, but in 1987 and on the 1st. Michaela Coel is on the rise in the TV world and she grew up in London just like Wright. Coel is astonishing in Chewing Gum on Netflix and I May Destroy You on HBO. I think she has some of that same unique comedic timing that Wright possess and would’ve been a really cool sibling for Mr. Boseman’s King T’Challa.

3.) Bill Murray as Adrian Toomes/The Vulture

Portrayed by Michael Keaton in the MCU.

Michael fucking Keaton has had such an insane career that it caused me to choose someone with maybe an even more insane career for this recast in Bill Murray. Bill is 70, Michael is 69, and they both seem like great hangs. I actually don’t know who I would rather hangout with in real life, which causes this recast to make some sort of sense in my head. It would be fun to see Bill play Vulture in dad form when he’s simply protective of his daughter, but also in the moments where he is fucking flying.

2.) Jason Statham as Groot

Portrayed by Vin Diesel in the MCU.

I don’t really give a shit about age with this one. Gotta take motherfucking Shaw to replace Toretto! Both dudes can lead an action film with an ease that has allowed them to have successful careers. Groot is a loveable character and having an action star voice him is really clever and clearly profitable. For shits and giggles, Jason Statham and Vin Diesel are just eight days apart in age. I know Statham is from England and Diesel is from the US, but they’re similar in so many ways.

1.) Ben Stiller as Bruce Banner/Hulk

Portrayed by Edward Norton & Mark Ruffalo in the MCU.

Mark Ruffalo is extremely talented but I don’t think he’s really giving it his all throughout the MCU process, so that makes this recast very interesting for me personally. Hulk is a major player and some might think this pick is too risky, but fuck it, let’s go Ben Stiller! He’s 54 and Ruffalo is 52, so it makes sense on that front but I also think Stiller has some serious acting chops. I see a combination of what he did in Mystery Men as Furious and what he did in The Meyerowitz Stories as Matthew. Maybe a little Tony Perkis from Heavyweights mixed with Roger Greenberg from Greenberg, or hell Greg Focker from Meet the Parents with a little Chas Tenenbaum from The Royal Tenenbaums. I believe Stiller would only help the MCU.