While it has been theorized that Marvel’s own version of the devil would show up eventually, it looks like it’s just around the corner, as Sacha Baron Cohen is reportedly in talks to play Mephisto. The Borat actor would be a left-field choice for Mephisto, but given Cohen’s love of theatricality and how his facial expressions are so over the top, the casting is ingenious.
The actor could appear in the MCU as Mephisto as early as Ironheart, but Cohen isn’t the only famous actor who will be inducted into the universe in 2023. Between Bill Murray, Olivia Colman, and Aubrey Plaza, Marvel Studios has typically cast Oscar winners and celebrated comedy actors for the next wave of releases.
Bill Murray (Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania)
When it comes to movie icons, Bill Murray is the headliner of MCU newcomers of 2023, as the comedy actor will feature in the upcoming Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Though the threequel is just a few short months away, it’s still unknown who Murray is playing in the film.
But while it’s heavily speculated that he’s another Elder of the Universe, fans would love to see him reprise his Groundhog Day role of Phil in Quantumania. Given that the Ant-Man movies skew closer to comedy than most other MCU releases and that the new movie will double down on the multiverse madness, it’s certainly possible, but extremely unlikely.
Aubrey Plaza (Agatha: Coven Of Chaos)
Interestingly, Agatha: Coven of Chaos is one of the most popular 2023 MCU releases, and that’s despite being one of the furthest away and having little detail about what the show will be about. However, along with the witchy aesthetic, one piece of information that is confirmed is that Aubrey Plaza will have a role in the series.
Plaza is one of the best comedy actors working today, as her performances in Funny People and Parks and Rec are some of the most memorable of those releases. But she’s also proven how great of a dramatic actor she can be with the recently released Emily the Criminal, too. It hasn’t been announced what character she’ll be playing, but fans think Plaza will be a villain.
Will Poulter (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)
Black Adam isn’t the only anti-hero with the name Adam that features in a superhero movie, as Adam Warlock will feature in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in May 2023. It has been confirmed for years now that Will Poulter will be starring as Adam Warlock, and it comes almost a whole six years after Adam was first teased in one of the many Guardians Vol. 2 mid-credits scenes in the MCU.
Adam Warlock is an artificial being who was created to destroy the Guardians, and he’ll be the intergalactic team’s biggest nemesis yet. Poulter isn’t the most obvious choice for the character, but Marvel Studios’ casting decisions have rarely ever been wrong in the past, and it’ll be interesting to see what the Maze Runner actor brings to the film.
Christopher McDonald (Secret Invasion)
Few actors are instantly recognizable and noteworthy for just one role in their entire career, but Christopher McDonald is. Even though he has countless film and TV credits to his name, McDonald is almost solely known for playing Shooter McGavin in the hilarious golfing movie Happy Gilmore. But it’s such an iconic character that the actor is still beloved for it 26 years later.
Fans would love nothing more than to see McDonald in Happy Gilmore 2, but while a legacy sequel would be so much fun, the actor turning up in the MCU is the next best thing. The actor has been cast in an undisclosed role in the Disney+ MCU series Secret Invasion. The actor could be playing a Skrull who has taken the form of a human, or simply a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.
Kathryn Newton (Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania)
Despite her young age, Kathryn Newton has had a career full of hits. And after having starred in Lady Bird, Three Billboards, Detective Pikachu, and many others, she already has a filmography that much older actors could only dream of. In 2023, that success will continue, as she’ll be playing Cassie Lang in Quantumania.
But while fans love Cassie’s purple suit in the Quantumania trailer, it’s hard to ignore that this is the second time the character has been recast. Kathryn Newton is the third actor to play Scott’s daughter. While the first time the character was recast because of the age difference following the five-year time jump in Avengers: Endgame, there’s no clear reason for the recasting here. It could mean that there’s another time jump in the upcoming film, or even that it takes place in a different universe.
Dermot Mulroney (Secret Invasion)
Just like McDonald, Dermot Mulroney has one of those faces that fans might recognize from any number of places. The actor has been in hundreds of movies and TV shows, including Insidious: Chapter 3 and New Girl. His most notable performances are in David Fincher’s serial killer thriller Zodiac and the hit 90s sitcom Friends. While those two properties couldn’t be on further ends of the spectrum, Secret Invasion will sit somewhere in the middle.
The Disney+ series will likely have some comedy, especially with all the shapeshifting. But it’ll also be more of a thriller, given that nobody will be able to trust anybody, and it’ll likely keep viewers guessing who is and who isn’t a Skrull. Like McDonald, Mulroney’s role in the show is currently undisclosed.
Emilia Clarke (Secret Invasion)
Emilia Clarke has become one of the biggest actors working today following her main role in Game of Thrones and playing Qi’ra in Solo: A Star Wars Story. And it seems like she’s in Disney’s pocket, as along with being in the Star Wars universe, she’ll also be a part of the MCU’s Secret Invasion Disney+ series.
While most of the announced actors who will be entering the MCU next year have undisclosed roles, Clarke’s role is one of the few that’s actually known to fans. Clarke will play Abigail Brand, a commander of S.W.O.R.D. who protects Earth from extra-terrestrial threats, so she’ll likely be working against the Skrulls in the upcoming Disney+ series. And given that it’s such a key role, Secret Invasion could be Clarke’s first MCU appearance of many.
Joe Locke (Agatha: Coven Of Chaos)
At just 19 years old, Joe Locke is the youngest actor to be introduced into the MCU in 2023, and he was cast with just one major credit to his name, which is an impressive feat in itself. Locke starred in Netflix’s coming-of-age comedy series Heartstopper, and his performance in that alone was enough to make Marvel Studios’ casting agents take a second glance.
It isn’t clear who Locke is playing in the series yet, but MCU fans speculate that he’s playing Billy Maximoff. Playing an older version of Wanda’s son makes total sense, given that he looks like the younger actor who plays the character, and Agatha: Coven of Chaos is essentially a sequel to WandaVision.
Olivia Colman (Secret Invasion)
It seems like Marvel Studios has pulled out all the stops when it comes to casting Secret Invasion. Along with some incredibly seasoned character actors, the Disney+ series will see Olivia Colman enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This is one of the most exciting casting announcements, as she’s an Academy Award winner, and she’s also a great comedy actor, which can be seen in the classic British comedy series Peep Show.
Unlike the other actors in the series, it has been revealed what Colman’s role is in the show, as she’ll play Sonya Falsworth, Fury’s old ally. Hopefully, Colman isn’t underused like other Oscar winners in the MCU, such as Forest Whitaker and Tommy Lee Jones.
Zawe Ashton (The Marvels)
The Marvels is lowkey going to be one of the most exciting superhero team-up movies in years, as it’ll see Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, and Monica Rambeau working together. And given that they’ll make up such a powerful team, they’ll obviously need an equally powerful threat.
While it hasn’t been revealed who the villain is, Zawe Ashton will play the antagonist, whoever it may be. Fans have theorized that Ashton could portray Titannus or Rogue, and given her background in theater and her endless portfolio of British dramas and comedies, she could play any one of them.
Anthony Ramos (Ironheart)
Anthony Ramos is best known for his roles in Hamilton, A Star Is Born, and In the Heights, and he’s seemingly the go-to actor for any upcoming musical epic. But he’s also been cast in blockbuster movies, and in 2023, he’ll play Parker Robbins, a.k.a. The Hood, in Ironheart.
It seems like 2023 will be a big year for the actor, as he’s also starring in the upcoming Transformers: Rise of the Beasts as well as being inducted into the MCU. While it’s unlikely, given that Ramos is often hired for musical roles thanks to his success on Broadway, there might be a musical number in the show à la “Agatha All Along” in the Disney+ series.
