9 Actors Who Almost Played Comic Book Villains

Matthew McConaughey was offered the role of Ego the living planet in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2. by writer/director James Gunn, and even appeared in concept art for the movie, but ultimately deciding to turn down the part.

Much closer in age to Chris Pratt's Star-Lord, who it later transpires is Ego's son, this wouldn't read quite the same way on screen as Kurt Russell's more fatherly rendition of the character.

McConaughey would've brought a relaxed, charming, and effortlessly cool screen presence, making for a perfect mirror of Chris Pratt's Star-Lord. You can see the appeal, but then few actors embody those qualities, along with being more age-appropriate, than Russell himself.

Instead of Guardians 2, McConaughey took up the role of Randall Flagg in the hugely disappointing Stephen King adaptation Dark Tower, while Russell became one of the MCU's strongest villains as Guardians 2 racked up over $850m at the box-office.