Summary
Kelsey Grammer will likely be recast (again) as Hank McCoy’s Beast in Marvel Studios' upcomingX-Menreboot, allowing a new actor to take on the brilliantMCUrole. Despite only being briefly featured in Fox’s originalX-Mentrilogy, Kelsey Grammer made a huge impression as Beast, a former student of Professor X who became the government’s Secretary of Mutant Affairs. Many were excited to see fan-favorite Grammer return asBeast inThe Marvels’post-credits scene, teasing his bigger role in the MCU, but even this won’t last.
During a recent episode ofThe Hollywood ReporterseriesFull Comedy Actor Roundtable,Kelsey Grammer reflected on being recastas Hank McCoy’s Beast betweenX-Men: The Last StandandX-Men: First Class. Nicholas Hoult took over the role in Fox’s revisedX-Mentimeline, and had a much larger part to play on the X-Men team. Despite his return inThe Marvels,it’s very likely that Grammer will be recast yet again, as there are many exciting actors who could become the blue mutantin theMCU’s officialX-Menreboot.
After I just played Beast - my days in Marvel - they came and said, ‘we have the most wonderful next film planned (…) We’re gonna go back in time.’ And so I suddenly have this sinking feeling of ‘Oh so, I won’t be in it, so my performance as Beast will not be in it. That’s what you’re telling me’. Sure enough, it went back in time… I was gone!
10Jason Clarke Has Been A Popular Beast Fan-Cast
Zero Dark Thirty (2012), Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014), Pet Sematary (2019)
Australian actor Jason Clarke has proven time and again that he has the acting chops to deliver a character as complex as Hank McCoy. Clarke’s oft-disheveled appearance could work perfectly for the scrappy but put-together Beast, and his years of experience in dramas, thrillers, and science fiction projects suggest that a large role in a superhero franchise may be the next logical step.Clarke is coming off a hot-streak with roles inOppenheimer, The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,andWinning Time, so his MCU casting could be imminent.
Jason Clarke has been a popular fan-cast choice for Hank McCoy’s Beast since the MCU’sX-Menmovie was first teased by Kevin Feigeback in 2019. He has the experience and wisdom to take on the role of the X-Men’s scientific genius, while also being capable of delivering high-octane and intense action sequences. Beast constantly walks this line, so Jason Clarke would be an inspired casting choice for the character.
9Rahul Kohli Almost Played A Very Different MCU Hero
iZombie (2015), The Haunting Of Bly Manor (2020), The Fall Of The House Of Usher (2023)
WhileX-Menfan-casts haven’t picked up too much steam (yet),Rahul Kohli was one of a myriad of names suggested by viewers for the role of Reed Richards' Mister Fantastic in the MCU’sThe Fantastic Four. Kohli even revealed in a recent interview withSalaam Nerdsthat he was indeed considered for the role, though the part ultimately went to Pedro Pascal. Since he hasn’t been cast as Mister Fantastic, the opportunity is there for Kohli to claim a different role in the MCU, and Beast may be perfect.
Yeah, I don’t know if I’m allowed to talk about it but I didn’t get it, is the important thing. But on good days, I see the Constantine. It will flare up once and again. And, I love all of them. On good days, you’re like, ‘Man, I’m wanted!’ People really want to see. You’re the guy that people will shout out for anything. On bad days, ‘It’s a reminder that you’re not the guy. You’re not there. These are the roles you’ll never get.’ So, it’s sweet and it’s perspective. It’s how you feel about yourself.
Rahul Kohli has received huge acclaim for his roles iniZombie, Midnight Mass, The Haunting of Bly Manor,andThe Fall of the House of Usher, some of which have seen him become a regular collaborator with horror filmmaker Mike Flanagan.Kohli’s horror-filled career would translate brilliantly into the darker themes of the MCU’sX-Men, particularly the duality and body transformation of Hank McCoy himself. Even though he was passed on for Reed Richards, Kohli is surely on Marvel Studios' radar.
8Daveed Diggs' Theater Experience Would Benefit Beast
Velvet Buzzsaw (2019), Snowpiercer (2020), Invincible (2023)
Now may be the perfect time to introduce theX-Men in the MCU, as superhero audiences have become accustomed to some of Marvel’s more fantastical and outlandish characters, and the X-Men are that to the extreme. To this end,casting someone with huge theater experience, such as Daveed Diggs, in the role of Hank McCoy would be a genius move by Marvel Studios. Perhaps most notably known for his starring role inHamilton, Diggs' career on stage and screen has given him the perfect tools to tackle a character as wild as Beast.
As well as his roles in theater, Diggs has proven himself to be a master of comedy and drama, and has delivered some incredibly emotional moments in projects such asSnowpiercer, Blindspotting,andExtrapolations.This remarkable range would benefit Beast greatly, as he is also a character with many layers, taking him from witty scientist to political activist to outright monster when he lets loose. As an acclaimed voice actor, also, Diggs' take on Beast would be thrilling to watch.
Daveed Diggs was previously a popular fan-cast forThe Fantastic Four’sBen Grimm, a.k.a. the Thing, though this role eventually went toThe Bear’sEbon Moss-Bachrach.
7Ben Whishaw Would Mirror A Previous Beast Actor
Skyfall (2012), Fargo (2020), This Is Going To Hurt (2022)
English actor Ben Whishaw’s casting as Beast would bear similarities toNicholas Hoult’s prior to 2011’sX-Men: First Class. Both are Brits with slender builds, not what one would imagine when thinking of the blue ape-like X-Men member. However,Hoult proved that this juxtaposing appearance could actually benefit the character in live-action, as his transformation into Beast was even more shocking, and this could be repeated with acclaimed actor Whishaw in the role.
Perhaps best known for his roles in the modern-eraJames Bondfranchise, thePaddingtonfilm series, and series includingFargoandThis is Going to Hurt, Ben Whishaw never fails to surprise with his sheer talent. His take on dark comedy, but also witty inclusion in heavy-hitting drama projects reflects Beast’s own personality brilliantly, particularly in the role of Q in the Daniel Craig-ledJames Bondmovies.Beast has a similar dynamic to scientific and technological creator Q, and Whishaw excelled in this role, proving he’d be a great fit for Beast.
6Colin Salmon As Beast Would Be Very Different To His Previous Marvel Role
Resident Evil (2002), The Punisher: War Zone (2008), Krypton (2018)
AnotherJames Bondalum, Colin Salmon portrayed MI6 Deputy Chief of Staff Charles Robinson in three classicBondfilms, delivering powerful performances full of gravitas and screen presence. This has continued in all of Salmon’s roles, as he often plays stern and dark characters, though often with a lighter side that he manages to portray to perfection.Beast would be a fantastic choice for Salmon, as the character’s more intense views on society, bigotry, and discrimination fit these darker preferences.
Being cast as Beast would also provide Colin Salmon with some much-needed Marvel redemption, as he previously appeared as FBI Agent Paul Budiansky in2008’s reviledThe Punisher: War Zone. He has since branched out into numerous DC roles, such as those inArrowandKrypton, but deserves a much larger role in the MCU. Salmon is no stranger to more sophisticated roles, meaning he would be able to portray some of Hank McCoy’s more erudite tendencies perfectly.
5Daniel Radcliffe Deserves An MCU Role (But Not Wolverine)
Harry Potter Franchise (2001-2011), The Woman In Black (2012), Miracle Workers (2019)
Daniel Radcliffe may have been a popular fan-cast for the role of theMCU’s new Wolverine, but he might actually be better suited for the role of Beast instead. Most famous for portraying Harry Potter in the eponymous franchise, Daniel Radcliffe has struggled to forge a mainstream career away from the Chosen One.Just as Radcliffe is trying to not be constantly associated with Harry Potter, Hank McCoy is always trying to convince others to not associate him only with his mutation, meaning Radcliffe could use his own personal experiences to inform his characterization as Beast.
5 Times Daniel Radcliffe Has Responded To Wolverine Casting Rumors (& What He Said)
Since Marvel Studios confirmed that mutants and the X-Men would be coming to the MCU, Daniel Radcliffe has been a popular fan-cast for Wolverine.
Daniel Radcliffe showed off his new built physique during one scene inMiracle Workers, which led many to believe that he had bulked up ready for a role in a superhero franchise. While Radcliffe has denied this, it would be great to see him join theMCU’s newX-Menfranchise, giving him the chance to finally break free from his Harry Potter prison, and become associated with a vibrant new character. This would also give him the chance to blend his franchise and indie movie skills, creating a complex, relatable, and extraordinary iteration of Beast in the MCU.
4Nick Offerman Could Bring Comedy To The Role Of Beast
Parks & Recreation (2009), Hearts Beat Loud (2018), Civil War (2024)
Perhaps an unorthodox choice, Nick Offerman being cast as Beast in the MCU would infuse the character with some of his more comedic tendencies that previous live-action depictions have ignored. Offerman is a comedy genius, as proven with his roles inParks and Recreation, 21 Jump Street, Brooklyn Nine-Nine,andCurb Your Enthusiasm. However,Offerman is also skilled at delivering hugely dramatic and emotional performances, meaning he may be uniquely qualified to take on the role of Beast.
Nick Offerman stated in 2020 that he’d be open to a role in the MCU, particularly if Taika Waititi is involved, as he commended the franchise’s"examples of wonderful, great creativity,“though also noted that there is also some"less good material.”
Notable dramatic roles include the President inCivil War, Felix inBad Times at the El Royale, Forest inDevs, and Bill inThe Last of Us, the latter of which won Offerman his first Emmy.The little-knownHearts Beat Loudputs Offerman’s entire acting range on display, and is a strong reflection of what the MCU’s Beast could be like, striking the balance between comedic and lighthearted and dark and damaged, while all the time stressing his role in a family dynamic. Offerman could actually be an extraordinary choice for Beast.
3Brendan Fraser’s Drama & Action Experience Makes Him Perfect For Beast
The Mummy (1999), Doom Patrol (2019), The Whale (2022)
Brendan Fraser burst back onto the scene in style with an Academy Award win forThe Whalefollowing a tumultuous period in his lengthy acting career.Following his recent resurgence, it would be fantastic to see Fraser join the MCU, and Beast could be the perfect role for the actor. While Brendan Fraser might not be able to deliver the action-heavy performances he did inThe Mummytrilogy,Gods and Monsters, orJourney to the Center of the Earth, his sheer talent is undeniable, so he would be a huge draw for the MCU’sX-Menreboot.
What makes Brendan Fraser so perfect for the role of Beast is his recognizable voice and wonderful wit, which are both essential to the role of Hank McCoy. Fraser also has experience working in superhero franchises, as he played Cliff Steele’s Robotman inTitansandDoom Patrol, and would have appeared asTed Carson’s Firefly in the canceledBatgirlmovie, had it released. This implies Fraser is ready and willing to jump into the MCU, which could happen very soon if he becomes the fan-favorite Beast.
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2Joel Edgerton Could Move From One Disney Franchise To Another
Star Wars Franchise (2002-2022), The Great Gatsby (2013), Dark Matter (2024)
Similarly to the likes of Jason Clarke and Matt Berry,Joel Edgerton has also been a popular fan-cast for the role of Hank McCoy’s Beast. Most recently, Edgerton has been showing off his science fiction acting chops in Apple TV+‘sDark Matterseries, which has proven that he would fully throw himself into the weird and wackyX-Menfranchise in the MCU, particularly if theX-Men explore the multiverse. Prior toDark Matter, however, Edgerton’s esteemed career sets him up to deliver an incredibly strong and captivating iteration of Beast.
Edgerton’s experience working in theStar Warsfranchise may have already given him an intense knowledge of Disney’s practices, making the move to the MCU much less jarring. He has also delivered a series of powerful and sometimes-action-heavy performances in the likes ofLoving, The Square, The Great Gatsby, andRed Sparrow.Hank McCoy regularly uses comedy to quell his darker sides, fighting off his more animalistic instincts, and Edgerton’s experience in dramatic roles would be able to put this on display better than ever before.
1Matt Berry Has The Perfect Voice & Appearance For Beast
Moon (2009), Toast Of London (2012), What We Do In The Shadows (2019)
Perhaps best known for his roles in British comedy shows, includingThe IT Crowd, The Mighty Boosh, andToast of London, Matt Berry is an international star who has the perfect background and appearance to bring a new version of Beast into live-action.Beast constantly attempts to distract his enemies with witty and intellectual humor, which is something that Matt Berry is no stranger to. Additionally, Berry’s myriad of voice roles prove he would be capable of delivering Beast’s iconic highbrow tone.
With a bit of visual effects magic, Matt Berry could perhaps become the most comic-accurate version of Beast ever seen in live-action. Kelsey Grammer and Nicholas Hoult’s interpretations ofBeast in Fox’sX-Menfranchisenever managed to fully capture what made Beast such a brilliant character. However, Berry’s delightful command of the English language, and hilarious and skillful physical comedy would work perfectly for the blue-furred hero in Marvel Studios’ upcomingX-Menreboot and beyond.
Marvel’s X-Men
Marvel’s X-Men is the tentative title for the future debut of the legendary Marvel mutant superhero team in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
