15 Actors Who Almost Played MCU Characters

4. Joseph Gordon-Levitt - Star-Lord & Ant-Man

Ant Man Joseph Gordon Levitt
Marvel Studios

Joseph Gordon-Levitt was arguably the biggest name (at the time) thrown into the mix to play Guardians of the Galaxy's Star-Lord, but in a sure bout of terrible judgement, he passed on it in order to star in Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, which ended up being a colossal box office bomb and critical disappointment.

Shortly thereafter, though, he then made it down to the final two for Ant-Man's Scott Lang, but Marvel instead opted for Paul Rudd in what was said to be a fiercely-contested battle for the role.

Would It Have Worked?: Definitely, on both counts. He'd probably fare better as Ant-Man than Star-Lord simply because Chris Pratt brings such a unique presence to the former part, but JGL is way too good at what he does not to knock either role out of the park.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.