15 DCEU Actors That Should Switch To The MCU (And The Characters They Would Play)

The DC Extended Universe has had a rocky development ever since its inception. After Iron Man successfully launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008, and 2012’s The Avengers consolidated the MCU as Hollywood’s new money-making machine, Warner Bros. and DC needed to strike back.

As a result, the DCEU was born, rather oddly, in 2013 with Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. What came after this apparent DCEU launch film was Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, which only made the DCEU one big complicated mess. Soon after, Suicide Squad failed to impress and all seemed lost for the Warner Bros. superhero franchise. Nonetheless, even though these films were not as good as those from its competitor, they at least had one winning factor: incredible actors.

Despite the stigma behind certain DCEU films, there’s no denying that the franchise’s casting director is a genius. The perfect example is Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman. Gadot alone gave her film the light that the DCEU desperately needed. It’s too bad there are so many great actors in the DCEU that unfortunately can’t excel due to the films they are in. Gal Gadot was born to play Wonder Woman, but Henry Cavill and a handful of others could definitely follow the route that leads to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

It’s not that their DCEU character portrayals are necessarily bad, but that the DCEU, as it is right now, is only undermining many of these wonderful actors. What were once obscure characters like the Guardians of the Galaxy are now more popular than Superman, and that’s simply not fair for an actor like Henry Cavill.

For that reason and many more here are 15 DCEU Actors That Should Switch To The MCU (And The Characters They Would Play).

Amy Adams (Clea)

Amy Adams made her DCEU debut in 2013’s Man of Steel, where she played the iconic comic book character Lois Lane. She later went on to appear in 2016’s Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and once more in last year’s Justice League. Even though Adams’s rendition of Lois is lauded by fans, the movies have mostly kept her to the side, at times even making her a one-dimensional character. This inhibits Adams to fully embrace the character. That’s why she’d be better off switching sides to the MCU.

There are many characters the talented Adams could play, but one in particular she’d be the perfect fit for is Clea, the mystical god-like daughter of Dormammu. What Hela was to Thor in Thor: Ragnarok, Clea could be to Doctor Strange in his sequel. And, since she is not entirely evil, Adams’s Clea could end up teaming up with the Sorcerer Supreme, as she’s done so in the books.

Joe Manganiello (Taskmaster)

Fans got really excited when Joe Manganiello was announced to play Deathstroke in the DCEU. Ben Affleck even teased him under the suit via a leaked Twitter video.

Manganiello as Deathstroke made his official DCEU debut in the post-credit scene of 2017’s Justice League. Even though Manganiello is another example of impeccable casting in the DCEU, he would be better suited to play another masked mercenary, this time in the MCU.

Taskmaster is a character that Marvel has kept hidden for some time and who’s not appeared in any live-action film to date. Manganiello would be the perfect actor to portray the character, with the potential to even helm his own franchise. The Batman movie has been on a constant pendulum swing of rumors, to the point that it’s not even certain if Deathstroke will even make a future appearance in the DCEU. That’s why Manganiello needs a lift to the MCU.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Mephisto)

Jeffrey Dean Morgan is perhaps one of the most underutilized figures in the DCEU. Though he’s most known for playing Negan in The Walking Dead series and The Comedian in Watchmen, some viewers find themselves surprised when they find out that Morgan is also Thomas Wayne in the DCEU. His only appearance came in the opening montage of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, where we saw yet another recreation of Bruce Wayne’s parents’ tragedy.

When the Flashpoint movie was announced, many fans thought Morgan would finally get the screen time he deserves, but since the announcement, nothing has been made certain. Thomas Wayne as Batman might not even appear. This is why Morgan would be a stellar fit in the MCU. Since Morgan is one of the main characters on TheCW’s Supernatural, he should definitely play Mephisto in the Marvel films.

Jesse Eisenberg (Impossible Man)

Despite many fans and audiences disliking Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Lex Luthor in Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, his nuanced performance was one of the many little details that gave the film a slight winning edge. This Lex Luthor was still inexperienced and immature, allowing Eisenberg to fully develop the character in future films.

Unlike Tom Hiddleston’s Loki in The Avengers, though, Eisenberg’s Luthor didn’t live up to the hype once Justice League came around. His screen time in the whole movie was a mere post-credit scene. It seems, though, that what’s most loathed of Eisenberg’s Luthor are his jokes and comedic demeanor. This type of characterization would best fit in the MCU and Eisenberg should totally apply it to the character of the Impossible Man.

Originally a Fantastic Four villain, the Impossible Man could potentially make an appearance in Phase 4 of the MCU.

Ezra Miller (Human Torch)

Arguably the best part of Justice League, Ezra Miller as Barry Allen/The Flash is superb casting. Miller as The Flash first cameoed in Dawn of Justice and later very briefly in Suicide Squad. He is perhaps the only reason worth rewatching Justice League, especially since his scenes with Superman are the best in the entire film.

Nonetheless, Miller’s own Flash film has had its share of ups and downs. The film was supposed to release this year going by Warner Bros. original release schedule. With multiple directors entering and leaving the project, it’s time Miller super-ran his way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. If so, then he should most definitely play Johnny Storm/Human Torch. The Fantastic Four will someday find their way back into the MCU, perhaps very soon due to the Disney-Fox deal. When that day comes, though, Miller should be first on Marvel’s list of possible Human Torch’s.

Jason Momoa (The Thing)

As previously mentioned, the Fantastic Four will eventually return to Marvel and possibly star in their own MCU film. They have already returned to the fold in Marvel comics and the Disney-Fox deal is making a cinematic resurgence imminent. We’ve already established that Ezra Miller should play Johnny Storm/Human Torch. So, who should play his rocky best friend-sometimes-frenemy The Thing? Jason Momoa, that is.

Momoa is Aquaman in the DCEU and his film is set to release later this year. He gave a solid performance in Justice League, but as The Thing in the MCU, Momoa would definitely bring new life to the character, as well as establish the actor as a household superhero name. Momoa is good as Aquaman, but he would be great as The Thing.

Amber Heard (Yelena Belova)

Amber Heard made her DCEU debut as Mera in 2017’s Justice League, where she had a small scene in Atlantis. It was here where she fought Steppenwolf and later lectured Aquaman about his family and role as king of the seas. Indeed, the scene felt incongruent with the rest of the film, which only served to undermine her character.

Hopefully Mera will give a better impression when Heard reprises her role in the upcoming Aquaman film. It would be even better if she swam her way into the Marvel Cinematic Universe instead.

With Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow movie in its early stages, one of the villains many fans want in that film is Yelena Belova, the evil version of the Russian spy. Heard would be a stellar choice to play the character and many fans seem to agree.

Diane Lane (Madame Web)

Diane Lane plays Martha Kent in the DCEU, Superman’s terrestrial mother. Her character name is mostly associated with the internet’s favorite meme of 2016 and Batman v. Superman’s greatest critique. That is, of course, the infamous “save Martha” scene, where Superman begged Batman to save his mother from Lex Luthor.

Lane first appeared in Man of Steel and recently reprised her role in Justice League. It’s no question that Lane is one of the best actors of our time, but her role as Martha Kent has been limited to rather mediocre scenes. That’s why she should play Madame Web in the MCU.

Not only would she share wonderful scenes with Tom Holland, but she’ll be given more room to explore in the superhero landscape.

Jeremy Irons (Galactus)

In theory, any actor could play Galactus, as he would be digitally rendered through motion capture. This is how Thanos was brought to life by Josh Brolin. Now, in order to get Galactus right, what Marvel must nail is the character’s voice. Galactus is in essence a god, and no one has a more godlike voice in the DCEU than Jeremy Irons.

Irons may be the man behind the chair as Alfred Pennyworth, but he’d be a stellar addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the voice of Galactus. With The Batman film surrounded by uncertainty, it’s time Irons leave Wayne Manor for good and join the MCU.

Thanos will most likely meet his end in 2019’s Avengers 4, and to fill the void a new Big Bad must come into the fold. That should definitely be Galactus, and Irons should voice him.

David Harbour (Sandman)

David Harbour became a pop culture icon with his fantastic performance as Chief Jim Hopper in Netflix’s Stranger Things. The same year Harbour starred in the Netflix show he had a short role in Warner Bros.’s Suicide Squad as Dexter Tolliver, an accomplice of Viola Davis’s Amanda Waller. Unfortunately, Harbour didn’t have much to do in the film.

Had Suicide Squad released much later, perhaps Harbour would’ve had a more interesting role. There’s still time to make a correction, though - by taking Harbour to the MCU, where he should play Sandman. Marvel Studios is currently casting the main villain for the Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel and even though Harbour is now the new Hellboy, he should definitely take his talents to Marvel and play the notorious Sandman.

Jared Leto (Mysterio)

Jared Leto’s Joker is perhaps the least liked character in the DCEU. After making his debut in Suicide Squad, many fans weren’t happy with Leto’s unconventional portrayal of the Clown Prince of Gotham. With Heath Ledger’s Joker considered to be the best version of the character we’ve seen on the big screen, Leto’s Joker had tough competition.

Leto will reprise the role in future DCEU films, but given that a new Joker played by Joaquin Phoenix may be coming soon, it’s time Leto retire the clown makeup for a Marvel role. Leto is known for his rather interesting form of method acting, so a character he should definitely play in the MCU is Mysterio.

A special effects specialist turned villain, Mysterio is one of Spider-Man’s most infamous foes. Leto played a maniacal mastermind in Blade Runner 2049, which more than proves that he’d be perfect for the role of Mysterio.

J.K. Simmons (J. Jonah Jameson)

There isn’t a role where J.K. Simmons fails to impress. That’s why he’s considered to be the best casting decision ever in the world of superhero movies. In these timea where we can’t imagine anyone but Robert Downey Jr. playing Iron Man or Hugh Jackman playing Wolverine, there really isn’t anyone who can play J. Jonah Jameson like Simmons did in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy.

It’s no surprise that many fans want the actor to reprise the role in the MCU. Since J. Jonah Jameson hasn’t still been introduced in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man franchise, may fans still believe that Simmons is still Jameson. Unfortunately Simmons is now James Gordon in the DCEU.

Nonetheless, with all the trouble reigning down on the DCEU, it’s time for Simmons to reconsider his Marvel ties and win back his legendary role.

Billy Crudup (Richard Rider - Nova)

Billy Crudup is not new to the superhero landscape. He portrayed Doctor Manhattan in Zack Snyder’s Watchmen, giving one of the most fascinating performances for a tragic god character. In the DCEU he plays Dr. Henry Allen, father of Barry Allen/The Flash. He had very short screen time in 2017’s Justice League, with scenes resembling The CW’s The Flash to the detail.

With the Flash film seemingly in jeopardy, Crudup should switch sides and join the MCU. Due to his Watchmen background, he’d be the perfect choice to play Richard Rider/Nova in a future Guardians of the Galaxy film. Even more, Thanos is leading the way to a potential Nova introduction in the upcoming Avengers films, which makes it the perfect time for Crudup to take on the role.

Dwayne Johnson (Namor)

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is the biggest superstar of our time and he is set to star in Warner Bros.’s Black Adam movie as the titular character. With shooting aimed to begin in 2019, the Rock is about to instill “franchise viagra” to one of DC’s most powerful supervillains. Though, he should really be doing this on the Marvel side.

Many fans found it rather odd that a Black Adam film would release independent of Shazam. The Rock can definitely carry his own franchise, but is Black Adam really the right character to helm?

It didn’t take long for Rock fans to shout Namor as a formidable replacement.

With the phenomenal success of Black Panther, Namor should be the main villain of the inevitable Black Panther sequel. This would pit all of Wakanda against the Rock and doesn’t that just sound exciting? Indeed it does.

Henry Cavill (Adam Warlock)

Henry Cavill is the Robert Downey Jr. of the DCEU. His Superman film, Man of Steel, started what we today know as the DC Extended Universe. While many fans love his portrayal of the character, many agree that the films don’t portray the Superman that’s prominent in the comics. The somber, cold, and depressive DCEU Superman was given a shimmer of hope in Justice League, but #mustachegate only worsened the character.

This isn’t really Cavill’s fault, but at this point in the game, there isn’t much fixing the DCEU can do. It’s time for Cavill to helm another superhero: Adam Warlock.

Set to debut in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Warlock will be one of the many new faces of the MCU’s Phase 4. Donning a golden design and a plethora of harbulary batteries, there isn’t someone more perfect for the role than Superman himself, Henry Cavill.

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Who else should give up the DCEU for the MCU? Let us know in the comments.