We asked AI to recast The Avengers (and it made some unexpected picks)

It’s impossible to think of anyone else playing the original Avengers characters, but we asked AI to recast them anyways… and it made some unexpected picks.

Marvel Studios took a bold and ambitious step when they began casting the original six Avengers actors for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And they hit the jackpot with their choices, creating iconic portrayals that have left an indelible mark on pop culture.

Robert Downey Jr. set the tone as Iron Man, bringing wit, charm, and depth to the character. Chris Evans embodied the noble and selfless spirit of Captain America, while Chris Hemsworth added a regal and otherworldly quality to Thor. Scarlett Johansson’s portrayal of Black Widow was complex and nuanced, and Jeremy Renner brought a gritty edge to the role of Hawkeye. Finally, Mark Ruffalo stepped into the shoes of Bruce Banner/The Hulk, adding a gentle humor and soulfulness to the character.

The chemistry between these actors was magical, and their performances elevated the already great material of the MCU. They made us laugh, cry, and cheer as we followed them on their journeys.

Their performances were also crucial in helping to establish the interconnected universe that Marvel Studios had envisioned. Fans became invested in these characters and eagerly followed their journeys across multiple films. The original six Avengers were not just actors playing superheroes, but they became cultural icons in their own right.

Marvel Studios’ decision to cast these actors was undoubtedly a stroke of genius. They created a cinematic universe that captured the hearts and minds of fans worldwide and showed us that superheroes can be more than just action figures on a screen. It’s hard to imagine anyone else stepping into their roles; however, we decided to ask AI who it would cast in the key roles leading to some bold and unexpected casting moves being made.

AI recasts The Avengers actors

While there is no telling when or if Marvel might ever look to recast the roles of some of the original Avengers for future movies or TV series, we decided to task ChatGPT’s AI with recasting the original.

As we wanted to cast as wide a net as possible, we didn’t set any restrictions other than asking AI to make sure it did not select an actor who has already played a character within the MCU. So who exactly would AI select to play the key members of the Avengers if Marvel were to recast them today? Here are the six actors AI thinks would be perfect should the day ever come when Marvel recasts the original members of the Avengers:

"Thor: Alexander Skarsgård – Skarsgård is a Swedish actor known for his roles in True Blood and Big Little Lies. He has the height and physicality to play the Norse God of Thunder, and his acting range would allow him to bring depth and nuance to the character.Iron Man: Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Gordon-Levitt is an American actor known for his roles in Inception and 500 Days of Summer. He has proven himself to be a versatile actor who can handle both action and drama, making him a great fit for the role of Tony Stark. His natural charm and charisma would also allow him to capture the wit and humor of the character.Black Widow: Anya Taylor-Joy – Taylor-Joy is a British-Argentinian actress who has starred in films such as Split and The Queen’s Gambit. She has a natural toughness and grace that would make her a great fit for the character of Natasha Romanoff, and her acting chops would allow her to bring depth to the role.Captain America: Taron Egerton – Egerton is a Welsh actor known for his roles in Kingsman: The Secret Service and Rocketman. He has the charm and charisma to play the noble and patriotic Steve Rogers, and his acting abilities would allow him to capture the complexity of the character.Hawkeye: Dave Franco – Franco is an American actor known for his roles in films such as 21 Jump Street and The Disaster Artist. He has a natural wit and charm that would make him a great fit for the wisecracking Clint Barton, and his acting range would allow him to explore the character’s deeper emotions.Hulk: John Boyega – Boyega is a British actor known for his roles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and Detroit. He has a commanding presence and intensity that would make him a great fit for the role of Bruce Banner/The Hulk, and his acting abilities would allow him to capture the character’s inner turmoil."

Okay, not going to lie, AI might be onto something as it picked some truly amazing actors to play the six original Avengers — including a handful we’d never have expected!

Alexander Skarsgård is a particular standout choice as there is absolutely no denying he’d be an amazing Thor. Then there’s Joseph Gordon-Levitt who is such an out-of-the-box choice as he’d make an amazing Iron Man. And Anya Taylor-Joy as Black Widow? That’s a pick we never would have thought of yet can totally see given the amazing performances we’ve seen from Taylor-Joy.

There’s no telling whether the MCU might ever look to add new versions of the original six Avengers to the mix, but AI has definitely is onto something with its picks and we could see any of these amazing selections taking on the roles if given the chance in the future.