If you’ve been keeping up to date with the news, you’d know by now that Tatiana Maslany, who according to a trade report landed the role of Jennifer Walters aka She-Hulk for the upcoming Disney Plus streaming series, has now denied that those casting rumors. Many people were taken by surprise when Ms. Maslany denied these rumors, however, it isn’t the first time actors that work within the MCU have denied such casting before. Today, we’re going to take a look at some prime examples of this concept.
1. Paul Rudd
Let’s all go back to a simpler time, 2013. Paul Rudd is fresh off production from Anchorman 2. By that time, Variety had released a report saying that Paul Rudd and Joseph Gordon-Levitt were the frontrunners to portray Ant-Man in the MCU. Now because the report came from another source outside official confirmations, when asked about the subject, Paul Rudd stated said “It’s all rumor, man!”.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XIvS-qvRRk&w=560&h=315]
And clearly, we all see how that rumor went years later, with him appearing in 2 solo MCU films and also appearing in Captain America Civil War & Avengers: Endgame.
2. Benedict Cumberbatch
It’s incredibly difficult to believe anyone else could have portrayed Doctor Strange since he was always the top pick amongst fans to portray the Sorceror Supreme but it’s true. Back in 2014, Benedict Cumberbatch spoke to MTV about the possibilities of him portraying Doctor Strange, & he mentioned that at the time, it couldn’t work out because he was doing a little play called ‘Hamlet’ in London. “So I don’t think I could even if that was in the cards. It sounds like a fantastic project. It’s a shame if I miss out, but who knows?”
Clearly, he didn’t miss out, and thankfully he is our Sorceror Supreme today.
3. Evangeline Lilly
Just like Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly denied the rumors of her being the female lead in Ant-Man back in 2014. She stated back then that “No, I can’t. I don’t know anything about those rumors.” And look where she’s at now, kicking it as the resident Wasp in the MCU.
4. Jeremy Renner
Even an original core member of the Avengers had denied he was cast. Back in 2010, Jeremy Renner stated that the Hawkeye rumor was “just one of those things that got blown way out of proportion. It was an idea…So there’s truth that we talked about it, but there’s no truth to me doing it. “
Thankfully, he decided to do it and now, he’s one of the main members of the OG Avengers, has appeared in multiple MCU films and will now have his own Disney+ show Hawkeye.
What does this all mean? Essentially it means that actors are sometimes put into the position to deny any sort of casting rumor until an official confirmation from studios comes through. And what does this mean for Tatiana Maslany’s casting as She-Hulk? It most likely means she’s following suit and denying these “rumors” until they become “confirmations”.
Besides, Mark Ruffalo already tweeted about it.
Welcome to the family, cuz! @tatianamaslany #SheHulk https://t.co/VXcaE9Fine
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) September 17, 2020
