With so many big names joining the MCU, it would be nice to see the studio bring in a comedic actor. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of actors within Marvel who are capable of comedy, but what we need is an actual comedian à la Chris Pratt.
I know, I know, there are already too many jokes in Marvel movies these days, but it’s not the fact that new Marvel titles have too many jokes, it’s that the current brand of Marvel humor has just gotten stale. When Robert Downey Jr. kicked off the MCU with his quick wit and funny quips, he was an instant success. His performance revived his career and created an entire shared universe that’s still got so much to give.Â
Chris Pratt brought more humor to the MCU
Marvel didn’t really pivot to focus on humor until the wild success that was James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy. Pretty much overnight, Marvel had altered the course of comic book adaptations as every superhero film suddenly had to have that iconic snappy dialogue and banter between the stars. This was all, in large part, thanks to Chris Pratt’s charming and sarcastic portrayal of Star-Lord. The dynamic between Pratt and the rest of the cast was something that not only would be brought across to the rest of the Marvel films but a good chunk of other Hollywood films, too.
All this is to say that Marvel’s humor is pretty iconic, but nearly 10 years after Chris Pratt entered the MCU, we’re still stuck on the same brand of humor from 2014. The solution isn’t to make Marvel more serious — the solution is to bring in another comedian with their own unique type of comedy. Fans on Reddit have already been discussing potential candidates capable of tickling the audience’s funny bone, but there’s only one person I’d like to see join the MCU next.
Fresh comedic performances could revive Marvel
There are a few good suggestions in there — one Redditor suggested Jack Black, although personally, I don’t see it. Black is a great leading man and tends to steal the spotlight wherever he appears, but whoever steps into the MCU next needs to be capable of some serious scenes. Even Chris Pratt gave more than a few heart-wrenching performances throughout his tenure in the MCU. I’m not knocking Jack Black, of course, I just don’t think he’s the best fit.
We need a leading man or woman who’s good with jokes but has also proven that they can bring out the emotions when necessary. Aubrey Plaza would be a great addition, but it seems Marvel already has plans for her in Agatha: Coven of Chaos. I’m just hoping that she’s not just limited to a side character role as it would be great to see Plaza as a leading lady in the MCU.Â
There’s really only one choice for me
Aside from all of that, one particular comedian does spring to mind when I think of the people that have yet to appear in the MCU, and that’s Bill Hader. He’s proven he’s good with jokes, and his time on SNL demonstrated just how funny a man he really is. He’s appeared in numerous classic comedies such as Superbad and Adventureland. Listen, we know he’s funny — this is a fact at this point. Actually, I’d say he’s one of the funniest comedic actors around right now. On top of that, he could definitely bring a completely different vibe to the MCU with his unique sense of comedy.
But can he carry the weight of being a leading man like Chris Pratt did? I mean, it’s not all about being funny, right? Well, he’s already demonstrated how well he can juggle comedy and drama with his hit HBO show Barry. He even won an Emmy for the show, so he’s definitely got the acting chops. His role as Richard Tozier in It: Chapter Two is another example of the actor managing to walk that fine line between serious and funny.
And guess what, I’m not the only person who thinks this. There are more than a few fans on Reddit who’d love to see Hader sporting a cape and cowl or whatever his hero might wear if he were to be cast by Marvel. Some thought he could be a good fit for the Green Goblin, although the role already belongs to Willem Dafoe, and some suggested other, more obscure heroes like Stiltman, but let’s face it, Stiltman would never appear in the MCU in any other way than a small cameo. Many also praised the actor for his role in Barry, so at least I’m not the only one saying it!
“I’ve seen someone suggest Bill Hader as some kind of crack fancast not too long ago, and I didn’t know the guy until I recently bingewatched all the SNL skits I could find (I’m not American, so I’m just discovering this show), but now I want to see ripped Bill Hader.”
“Bill Hader was on my list for Reed Richards, but it’ll never happen.”
“Maybe as a Deadpool/Spider-Man villain? I wanted him for Mysterio honestly. Maybe Molecule Man?”
So, there’s my case for Bill Hader in the MCU: he’s funny, he’s a great actor, and he’s just come off the back of a wildly successful show on HBO. It would be foolish not to bring him on now. I have no doubt Hader could bring his own spin to that charm and humor that Chris Pratt brought back in 2014.
