8 Times Famous Actors Auditioned for Superheroes but Got Villain Roles Instead

8 Times Famous Actors Auditioned for Superheroes but Got Villain Roles Instead

Hollywood has a funny way of flipping the script. Plenty of actors have walked into auditions hoping to be the good guy in tights, only to leave with the role of the villain in a cape—or sometimes an even creepier outfit. You know what they say, you either die a hero, or live long enough to become a villain.

1. Tom Hardy

Hardy’s gritty, intense style seemed like the perfect fit for a comic book superhero, and at one point, he was even rumored to be in the running for roles across both DC and Marvel universes. With his commanding presence and fan following, it’s easy to imagine him as a bold, morally complex hero.

But instead of saving Gotham, he tore it down as Bane in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises. Hardy’s terrifying performance showed that villains could be just as layered, if not more, than the heroes.

While Batman may have been the title character, it was Hardy’s chilling voice and brute strength that fans still talk about years later.

2. Josh Brolin

Before he became one of the most recognizable villains in pop culture, Josh Brolin was in talks for playing Batman during the Batman v Superman casting process. His rugged looks and veteran acting chops made him a serious contender for the cape and cowl.

Instead, Marvel scooped him up and handed him the role of Thanos, the ultimate big bad of the MCU. While he didn’t get to brood from Wayne Manor, Brolin delivered one of the most iconic villain performances in superhero history.

With his gravelly voice and cold logic, he made fans sympathize with a giant purple alien hell-bent on wiping out half the universe. Not a bad consolation prize.

3. Michael Shannon

When casting rumors swirled for Man of Steel, Michael Shannon was reportedly open to playing a heroic role. Given his reputation for intensity, it wouldn’t have been surprising to see him as a hardened, reluctant hero trying to do the right thing.

What he got instead was General Zod, Superman’s Kryptonian nemesis. Shannon didn’t just play Zod—he brought a raw, almost tragic depth to him. Unlike many one-note villains, Zod genuinely believed he was doing the right thing for his people.

That inner conflict made him more than just an obstacle for Superman—it made him a haunting reminder that sometimes villainy is rooted in a twisted sense of duty.

4. Mads Mikkelsen

Known for his sharp features and commanding screen presence, Mads Mikkelsen was once on the radar for a superhero role. He even auditioned for Mr. Fantastic in the 2005 Fantastic Four movie, a role that would have placed him in the spotlight as the team’s leader.

Marvel eventually tapped him for something much darker—Kaecilius, the mystical villain in Doctor Strange. While the movie’s hero traveled through psychedelic dimensions, it was Mikkelsen’s haunting performance that grounded the story.

His Kaecilius wasn’t just evil for the sake of it; he truly believed he was saving the world, which made him both frightening and oddly relatable.

5. Cillian Murphy

During auditions for Batman Begins, Cillian Murphy tested for the role of Bruce Wayne. His piercing eyes and lean build gave him a unique, intriguing take on the superhero, and he even filmed screen tests in the iconic batsuit.

Though Christian Bale ultimately landed the role, director Christopher Nolan was so impressed with Murphy that he cast him as Scarecrow. The villain’s eerie use of fear gas, combined with Murphy’s unsettling calmness, created one of the most chilling portrayals in the entire Dark Knight trilogy.

It turned out to be a career-defining role for Murphy, proving that sometimes the villain gets the last laugh.

6. Nicolas Cage

Few Hollywood stories are more infamous than Nicolas Cage nearly playing Superman in Tim Burton’s canceled Superman Lives. He even wore the bizarre, glowing costume during screen tests, which later leaked online and became internet legend. Cage was set to bring a quirky, offbeat energy to the Man of Steel.

Instead, that dream never came to pass, and Cage’s comic book journey veered into darker, quirkier territory. He later voiced Spider-Man Noir in Into the Spider-Verse, giving fans a moody, anti-heroic twist on the classic character.

While he never got to fly as Superman, Cage’s eccentric style has ensured that his almost-hero status remains part of pop culture lore.

7. Lee Pace

Before becoming a Marvel villain, Lee Pace auditioned for the heroic role of Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy. His charming demeanor and dry wit might have worked well for the sarcastic, mixtape-loving hero.

Instead, he was cast as Ronan the Accuser, the movie’s main antagonist. With heavy makeup and a menacing presence, Pace completely transformed into the Kree zealot. Although Star-Lord became a fan favorite, Ronan gave the movie the dangerous stakes it needed.

And ironically, Pace’s audition for the hero role may have helped Marvel see just how effective he could be as the villain instead.

8. Hugo Weaving

Known for his powerful performances in The Matrix and The Lord of the Rings, Hugo Weaving had the acting chops to play just about any role in a superhero film. For a time, his name was floated for heroic parts, including iconic Marvel characters.

But when Marvel came calling, it wasn’t for a superhero role—it was for Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger. Weaving’s chilling performance as the Hydra leader made him one of the most memorable villains in Marvel’s early films.

With his commanding voice and cold stare, he proved that sometimes the villainous role leaves a bigger mark than the hero ever could.