The Avengers have become such a defining part of popular culture that even casual Marvel viewers can identify the team’s biggest heroes. Yet before Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and their co-stars became synonymous with those characters, they were actors auditioning for career-changing roles. Watch Looper’s video above for a look at how the Avengers performers appeared during their auditions — some may look surprisingly unfamiliar.
A few actors seemed destined for their Marvel parts from the beginning. Robert Downey Jr., for example, already shared Tony Stark’s charisma and distinctive presence, even without the character’s signature facial hair. Chris Evans also had the classic superhero image before becoming Captain America, having played the Human Torch in 2005’s “Fantastic Four” and its 2007 sequel, “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” Still, the audition footage reveals just how different several Avengers stars looked before stepping into their iconic roles.
It’s a busy year for the Avengers
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
With “Avengers: Endgame Encore” making a major impact at the box office and three significant post-credits scenes connecting the film to the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday,” Marvel’s flagship super team remains firmly in the spotlight. It’s easy to forget that many of the actors who brought these heroes to life were not yet megastars when they joined the MCU. Tom Holland is a notable example. Before making his Spider-Man debut in 2016’s “Captain America: Civil War,” Holland was best known for movies such as “The Impossible” and “In the Heart of the Sea” — respected projects, but a far cry from leading multiple MCU blockbusters, including the record-breaking “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.”
Holland’s rise may be one of the most dramatic, but he is far from the only Avengers actor who looked markedly different early in his career. For a closer look at the performers before they became household names, watch Looper’s audition video above.