Henry Cavill was one of the most beloved actors of the DCEU. Now that his time in the franchise has ended, we look at who he could play in the MCU.

Henry Cavill had a difficult time in the role of Superman. After originally losing the part to Brandon Routh for Superman Returns, he finally got the role in the highly anticipated reboot, Man of Steel, which opened in 2013. Mixed to negative reactions forced Warner Bros. to panic, and Man of Steel 2 quickly became Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice, which looked to introduce Batman, Wonder Woman, and many other DC heroes to set the stage for Justice League and catch up to Marvel. After Justice League came out, which had its own controversy from firing director Zack Snyder and replacing him with Joss Whedon to Cavill being unable to shave his face for the reshoots, the film was the last time audiences saw Cavill as Superman for years.

While Cavill did make a highly anticipated return in Black Adam, it was not enough to save that film or the DCEU. Shortly after Cavill confirmed his return as Superman, James Gunn was announced as the new head of DC Films, which planned to reboot Superman with a new actor. While Cavill is set to participate in a fantastical war epic based on Warhammer 40K, many wonder if Cavill will return to the superhero genre.

Rumors have circulated that Cavill is being looked at for a major role in DC’s biggest competitor, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). While many big players in the Marvel Universe have already been cast, there certainly is no shortage of roles he can play. From heroes, villains, and anti-heroes, here are ten MCU characters that Henry Cavill would be great for.

Update February 23, 2024: This article has been updated following rumors that Henry Cavill will join the MCU with even more characters he could play in the franchise.

Hyperion

Marvel Comics

First Appearance: The Avengers #69 (October 1969)

Where He Could Debut in the MCU: Doctor Strange sequel

Let’s get the easiest one out of the way. Hyperion is a member of the Squadron Supreme, the Marvel counterpart to the Justice League. This indeed means that Hyperion is the Marvel counterpart to Superman, the role Henry Cavill is most linked to. Hyperion comes from an alien race known as the Eternals (that were already introduced in the MCU) and has superhuman strength, durability, speed, and the ability to fly. Much like his DC counterpart, he is weakened when exposed to a radiated chemical, in this case, aragonite.

Why Cavill Is a Great Fit for Hyperion

There is a matter that casting Henry Cavill as “another” Superman figure is a bit uninspired; that’s why it is at the bottom of the list, as he would likely want to show more range. If the MCU decided to poke fun at their distinguished competition, hiring the former Justice League actors to make up the Squadron Supreme would undoubtedly make for a fun Easter egg and allow him to poke fun at his time as Superman, similar to how Deadpool gives Ryan Reynolds plenty of chances to make a joke about Green Lantern. Hyperion would fit well in a third Doctor Strange movie, as the character will likely be more involved in the multiverse, and Doctor Strange could encounter an Earth with the Squadron Supreme; maybe they are a team of heroes looking to stop the destruction of the multiverse that clashes with Doctor Strange.

Colossus

Marvel / Ross

First Appearance: Giant-Size X-Men #1 (May 1975)

Where He Could Debut in the MCU: MCU X-Men reboot or Armor Wars

There will always be room for big bruisers in the MCU, and with the X-Men slowly being integrated, there is a bevy of characters that could potentially be recast. Piotr Rasputin is a Russian mutant who gained the power to change his entire body into steel, thus taking the term “Man of Steel” quite literally. Colossus will appear in Deadpool & Wolverine, but that will be a version from the 20th Century Fox X-Men universe, and soon the MCU will need their own. Enter Henry Cavill.

Why Cavill Would Be A Good Fit For Colossus

Cavill certainly has the body to play Colossus, as he would give the character his massive tank-like appearance. Colossus’s past film incarnations have never quite done the character justice, so the MCU version played by Cavill could certainly elevate the character and dig more into his background, including his relationship with his family, like his sister, the mutant Magik. Obviously, Colossus would appear in the MCU’s proper introduction to the X-Men, but due to his armored nature, he could also show up earlier in something like Armor Wars as a way to plant the seeds of various X-Men characters.

Dracula

Marvel Comics

First Appearance: The Tomb of Dracula #1 (April 1972)

Where He Could Debut in the MCU: Blade

Dracula is one of the most popular characters in literature and film. He has been a horror icon since his first appearance in Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula. The character is also part of the Marvel Universe. While the Tomb of Dracula series was originally outside the Marvel Comics continuity, he has since been integrated into the larger universe and has conflicts with many heroes, including The Avengers. It’s a lot like the traditional versions of Dracula, with recent comics having Dracula as the leader of a vampire nation that exist alongside the world the same way that nations like Wakanda and the X-Men’s new nation of Krakoa. Dracula is heavily rumored to be the villain in the upcoming Blade reboot.

Why Cavill Would Be Great For Dracula

There have been many cinematic incarnations of Dracula, and each one needs to bring its own element to it in order to stand out. Cavill would certainly bring a gravitas to Dracula, a towering figure who can also be a gentleman that many people associate with the character. Mission: Impossible – Fallout showed Cavill can excel as a villain, and pitting him against Mahershala Ali as Blade would certainly elevate that project in the eyes of general moviegoers as a must-see event.

Mister Sinister

 

First Appearance: The Uncanny X-Men #221 (September 1987)

Where He Could Debut: MCU X-Men Reboot

For one villain to another, but a far bigger play in the Marvel Universe. Nathanael Essex is opposed to genetics, and after an encounter with the mutant Apocalypse, he is transformed into Mister Sinister. Mister Sinister is obsessed with making the perfect mutant and is a constant foe of the X-Men. He is the biggest villain in the franchise that never made it to the big screen, although movies like X-Men: Apocalypse and New Mutants did seem to tease him as to what those films were building to before Disney bought the franchise and decided to reboot them. Mister Sinister might be the perfect villain to kick off the X-Men franchise in the MCU, and Cavill is the perfect pick.

Why Cavill Should Be Mister Sinister

Cavill is a fan favorite to play Mister Sinister, to begin with. Obviously, both Cavill and Sinister are British, and the character is typically drawn as a huge figure, so that is an obvious reason to cast him. Yet Cavill also has a sense of sophistication mixed with darkness, a defining trait of Sinister. Part of what made the 20th Century Fox X-Men films so popular was they went after the best actors for the parts, and Cavill as a long-term player in the MCU as an X-Men threat is smart casting.

Sabretooth

Marvel Comics

First Appearance: Iron Fist #14 (August 1977)

Where He Could Debut in the MCU: Shang-Chi sequel

Sabretooth is commonly known as Wolverine’s arch-enemy and has previously been portrayed on screen by Tyler Maine in 2000’s X-Men and Liev Schrieber in 2009’s X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Sabretooth is a vicious assassin, one with animalistic tendencies and powers. He is a powerful killer, one of the strongest villains in the Marvel Universe, but also one with a fascinating backstory that links him and Wolverine together. Sabretooth has gotten the short end of the stick in the live-action adaptation, but in the MCU, and with an actor like Cavill, he could become a new fan favorite.

Why Cavill Would Be Great As Sabertooth

As with many of these characters, Sabretooth is a massive hulking figure, and Cavill has the height and muscle to play the role. Yet Sabretooth is a very different character from Superman or Geralt in The Witcher. While that role requires a lot of grunting, here Cavill could cut loose with growling, snarling, and a sadistic joy to his evil. While Sabretooth is commonly associated with the X-Men, he did not originate in those comics. His role as an assassin means he could show up in the upcoming Shang-Chi sequel as Marvel starts to plant the presence of mutants and the X-Men in other projects. He could be an assassin that Shang-Chi encounters or even one hired by the new Ten Rings.

Galactus

Marvel Comics

First Appearance: Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966).

Where He Could Debut in the MCU: The Fantastic Four

Galactus is certainly up there among the most famous Marvel villains. Known by many names, “The Devouir of Planets” and the “Destroyer of Worlds,” Galactus is an elemental force in the Marvel Universe and one that typically requires The Fantastic Four, Avengers, and Guardians of the Galaxy to deal with. He consumes planets to sustain life but is part of the cosmos ecosystem. Galactus must always exist, but he is certainly not a friendly face. Marvel Studios has plans for Galactus, as he is rumored to be the main villain for the upcoming film The Fantastic Four.

Why Cavill Would Make a Great Galactus

Rumors are circulating that Javier Bardem is Marvel Studios’ top choice to play Galactus. While that is certainly something, there were also four years of Fantastic Four casting rumors, so it can always change. Cavill as Galactus would not be a bad call, as no one can deny he doesn’t have a strong enough presence to play the legendary Marvel villain. It certainly would be a different role for Cavill and one that could have long-term implications for the franchise, including crossovers with other Marvel heroes like Captain Marvel, Thor, and the Eternals.

 

The Silver Surfer

 

First Appearance: Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966).

Where He Could Debut in the MCU: The Fantastic Four

With Galactus typically comes The Silver Surfer. The Silver Surfer is certainly one of the most popular Marvel heroes of all time and easily the biggest yet to appear in the MCU. Casting him will be a big deal, and if Bardem is the lock for Galactus, then maybe Cavill would be better suited for his heart. Silver Surfer is a powerhouse character on par with Superman, but they also have the wandering vibe that Geralt on The Witcher did. It feels like a great mix of Cavill’s two most iconic characters.

Why Cavill Would Be Great as The Silver Surfer

The Silver Surfer is one of the deepest heroes in the Marvel Universe. Many of his most iconic stories feature him pondering existence, looking out at the vast cosmos, and also grappling with his own horrible history of serving a man being who killed billions of people. This is a rich role filled with a lot of possibilities, one that Cavill could really sink his teeth into. A lot of these roles are banking on Cavill’s physical presence, but here it would be about the genuine emotion he carries in his face—a figure who looks statuesque but deep down is a sad, lonely individual. Clearly, the role of the Silver Surfer would be a long-term commitment, one that could position Cavill as a new lead of the franchise following the Multiverse Saga.

Cyclops

Marvel Comics

First Appearance: The X-Men #1 (September 1963)

Where He Could Debut in the MCU: X-Men reboot

Many might think Cavill would be a great fit for Wolverine, but Cavill’s talents might be better suited for playing another X-Men who could certainly use a boost in popular opinion: Cyclops. Cyclops is one of the founding members of the X-Men and the team’s go-to leader, but he has often been overlooked in other media. James Marsden was a great pick, but the movies tended to sidestep him for Wolverine, while Tyler Sheridan barely got any time to make the character his own. Cyclops needs some star power, and Cavill could make the hero audiences take notice of.

Why Cavill Would Be Great for Cyclops

Cavill has a commanding presence, one that is great for a leader and which the DCEU never tapped into with his Superman. Much like Superman being the big blue boy scout, Cyclops is typically seen as the boy scout of the X-Men, so Cavill could give the character that beloved nature but also a slight edge. After all, X-Men comics like Avengers vs. X-Men showed how far Cyclops is willing to go for his people, and he crossed the line into villainy. Cyclops should be the leader of the X-Men when they join the MCU, and getting an actor like Cavill lets the audience know he is serious and not a pushover.

Doctor Doom

 

First Appearance: The Fantastic Four #5 (July 1962)

Where He Could Debut in the MCU: The Fantastic Four

Doctor Doom is the poster boy for Marvel villains. Despite a rough time in live-action adaptations, he is still the premiere villain of the Marvel Universe and has crossed paths with almost everyone. Doctor Doom is a powerful sorcerer and also a mad scientist, someone who can master various crafts to become the ultimate villain. Fans have been waiting for Doctor Doom to join the franchise forever and now the stage seems set as the Fantastic Four are about to make their grand debut.

Why Cavill Would Be Great As Doom

We’ve actually suggested Cavill for Doctor Doom before. In short, Cavill has the commanding presence needed for a villain like Doom, from his towering figure to his booming but inviting voice. Since Doctor Doom is the arch-enemy of the Fantastic Four, and most specifically Reed Richards, Cavill would make a great scene partner for Pedro Pascal’s Mr. Fantastic. Doctor Doom is rumored to be the next big bad of the MCU, taking over the role left vacant by Kang the Conqueror, and Cavill would be a strong pick to be the next major villain that unites the MCU together.

Captain Britain

Marvel Comics

First Appearance: Captain Britain #1 (October 1976)

Where He Could Appear in the MCU: Agatha: Darkhold Diaries/Blade/Deadpool & Wolverine

Something that can’t be argued is that when you’re as great an actor as Henry Cavill, sometimes all you have to do is declare your intent. And Henry Cavill has made it clear that he would love to play Captain Britainmore than any other character in the MCU. Brian Braddock was a lonely youth after his family fell out of favor with the higher class, yet he remained too proud to socialize with the lower class. Braddock would one day be approached to become the realm’s protector, choosing between the amulet of right or the sword of might. While Braddock remained proud, he had faced many hardships in life and selected the amulet, believing he could find a better way to protect his country than with pure might.

Why Henry Cavill Should Be Captain Britain

While one might say Marvel has already introduced many new heroes that they have yet to follow up on, Captain Britain might be a character Marvel needs to connect various points. The character of Captain Britain is part of the Captain Britain Corp, a team of superheroes from across the multiverse that would play right into the multiverse saga. He has connections to Merlin and King Arthur, which tie in with the Ebony Blade teased at the end of Eternals. His sister, Betsy Braddock, has connections to the X-Men as the mutant Psylocke.

Really, he can show up in a wide variety of future MCU projects like a supporting character in Agatha: Darkhold Diaries, fighting alongside Blade and the Black Knight, or even appearing in the multiversal film Deadpool & Wolverine. The possibilities are endless, and Cavill would be a great pick to elevate this rather minor character into a household name.