Bruce Campbell Jokes About Turning Down Big MCU Roles Before Raimi

Bruce Campbell jokes about turning down major roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe before Sam Raimi joined the franchise with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The actor is well known for appearing in Raimi's various films, most notably as Ash Williams in the Evil Dead franchise. Campbell has also made cameo appearances in each installment of Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, playing a different small part every time opposite Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker.

Throughout his career, Campbell has been fan-casted as numerous Marvel characters, most notably as Mephisto and Mister Sinister. The actor had sometimes shared his interest in playing some of these characters online, fueling internet rumors. However, outside of his trips into the Raimi-verse, Campbell hasn't delved much into the superhero genre. He officially made his MCU debut this year with Doctor Strange 2, putting in another cameo. This time, he played a Pizza Poppa vendor who becomes the target of Doctor Strange's (Benedict Cumberbatch) ire. Campbell appeared in two scenes total, which he jokingly says is the perfect length for him.

In an interview during San Diego Comic-Con, Campbell joked with Screen Rant that he side-stepped some big roles in the MCU over the years. He teasingly stated he was only looking for a minor part in the ever-popular franchise. Check out his comments in the space below:

Well, the MCU just finally caught up with me. Because I've turned them down for so many of these big parts. And they said, "How about a small part instead?" I go, "You know what? That's what I'm looking for."

When asked if Raimi's entry into the MCU helped change his decision, Campbell acknowledges, "That does help. I tend to say yes when Sam wants to do something, yes." The two have a partnership that goes beyond business, so it isn't surprising Campbell would agree to a cameo in Raimi's MCU film. The actor's response is an illustration of his trademark sense of humor that's made him a fan-favorite for decades. There's no denying audiences would have loved to have seen Campbell take on a more significant role in the MCU. Even though Campbell's kidding, his comments will likely spark some discussion as to what main parts he could have been up for and would have best suited him as a performer.

It's no secret that the duo enjoys working together since Campbell appears in nearly all of Raimi's films. It wouldn't have felt right for Doctor Strange 2 to not include some kind of Campbell cameo, so it was nice to see him reunite with his old friend. It's unknown if Raimi will return to the MCU for a Doctor Strange 3 or another installment, but if he were to make another superhero movie, he would likely find room for Campbell in some capacity to the delight of viewers.

Next: Where Does Doctor Strange Fit In The Rest Of MCU's Multiverse Saga