Marvel’s most iconic heroes will be played by new actors as part of MCU reboot

Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige has confirmed plans for an eventual MCU reboot of sorts, teasing that when the time comes, the most popular characters will indeed be portrayed by new actors.

In a cinematic universe full of, well, infinite universes, there are endless storytelling opportunities. One such path is to retread familiar ground, just with different faces leading the dance.

Captain America, Thor, and Tony Stark together in The Avengers

It appears that’s the direction theMarvel Cinematic Universeis taking, as franchise orchestrator Feige has teased reboots in the not-too-distant future.

While the spotlight is currently on the introduction of theFantastic Four, and the subsequentAvengers: Doomsday, Feige has a long-term vision, and it involves a reboot of sorts.

Doctor Doom in the Marvel comics and Robert Downey Jr

MCU reboot teased with new actors to take up the mantle

Currently, the MCU is in the midst of a “seven-year plan,” as Feige outlined in a conversation with media thatDeadlineattended. “I think it goes to 2032.”

But what lies beyond that? It’s a mixed bag. In some cases, like with Thor, Feige sees Chris Hemsworth leading that role for many years to come across all manner of projects. But for other characters, Feige is already thinking of who might replace existing stars.

Upcoming MCU projects

Following the events ofAvengers: Secret Wars, Feige has a long-term idea that may see “singular timelines” reset. In a sense, this allows for chunks of the MCU to be rebooted, while other timelines continue forward unscathed.

“X-Men is where that will happen,” Feige added, teasing that we could see new actors taking over the likes of Iron Man or Scarlet Witch in just a few years.

Sacha Baron Cohen smiling as Mephisto in Ironheart.

Of course, given the whole ‘multiversal’ nature of it all, having singular timelines reset doesn’t mean the door is closed forever. Who’s to say a new actor playing Iron Man doesn’t one day cross paths with Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man from another timeline?

Every upcoming Marvel movie & MCU TV show in development

The cast of the Fantastic Four

Kevin Feige has big plans for Mephisto in the MCU

When does Fantastic Four take place in the MCU timeline?

It’s all within the realm of possibility, and we now know to expect the first of these rebooted endeavors within the next decade. We’ll just have to wait and see which characters from which films are recast, but they better not replace Terrence Howard as Rhodey. Oh, wait.