An iconic actor nobody expected has reportedly joined the MCU

It's always exciting news to hear that Marvel Studios is adding more star-power to its line-up. Over the years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has carved out working relationships with legends like Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, Robert Redford, Mark Ruffalo, and Natalie Portman. The franchise has recently continued adding to that star-power, with Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, and now Harrison Ford joining in on the MCU fun.

According to a multitude of rumors, it might not be long until The Rock himself, Dwayne Johnson, makes his way to the franchise. That's how relevant Marvel Studios continues to be almost two decades after the launch of the MCU. The stars want to work with Marvel, and the rumor mill about its next generation of stars isn't slowing down.

That's certainly exciting to hear, because honestly, these movies have offered actors - both veterans and new arrivals - a chance to appeal to a whole new audience. And now, rumor has it that one of the most well-known actresses of her generation is set to join the franchise too.

Lindsay Lohan rumored to be joining the MCU in an unknown role

According to Marvel scooper account MarvelLeaks22, Lindsay Lohan may be about to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the report doesn't outright say whether that will ultimately come to fruition, it is billed as an "update", suggesting that - if true - some progress may have been made during potential discussions between the two.

Yes, this isn't the first time that Lohan's name has been attached to the Marvel brand as, earlier this year, Us Magazine reported that she was in talks to play "a vixen superhero" after expressing interest in joining the franchise. And as there haven't been many updates since that one, this new report has brought the topic back into fans' view, so to speak.

The report has received quite the response from fans, with many praising the idea of Lindsay Lohan joining the franchise as the veteran actress is enjoying a wonderful comeback in recent years. Joining the biggest movie franchise in the world would certainly be a memorable way to cap that comeback off!

Others are praising the possibility too, as it would be something of an unexpected casting choice if Lohan were to join the MCU. A teen idol and Hollywood leading lady in the early 2000s and now the face of Netflix romcoms, she is such a force within that genre that she may be considered an outside-the-box choice for the biggest action/fantasy franchise in the world right now. But thinking outside the box is exactly what has brought Marvel some of its biggest success stories in recent years. Look no further than Kathryn Hahn and the success she brought Marvel with both WandaVision and Agatha All Along. Lohan in the MCU could help them recreate that success with a new character and project.

As for who she could play, fans are already beginning to speculate that she could be X-Men character Jean Grey. The studio is currently setting the stage for the X-Men's arrival in the franchise, and Jean Grey would likely be one of the roles that they are looking to cast in the near-future - especially with an X-Men movie currently in development. One of the most powerful forces in all of Marvel Comics, Jean is seen as a leader of the team of mighty mutants and a mentor to some of its youngest members. There is no doubt that Lohan could bring that to life.

She recently wrapped filming on Freaky Friday 2, so she'll be heading back to the big screen to reprise one of her most famous roles soon. That, coupled with her recent Netflix comeback, really does highlight how incredible the Lindsay Lohan renaissance era has been. Adding the MCU to that list of accomplishments would be just another amazing chapter in a legendary career.

While Marvel has not yet confirmed this report, it's easy to see why fans are excited about the prospect of a veteran like Lohan joining the franchise.