You know how some things feel like a ‘right place, wrong time’ situation? Like that moment when you’re holding onto an old sweater, not because it’s fashionable but because it reminds you of simpler times. Well, for Antony Starr, the possibility of joining the MCU seems to be one of those ‘been there, done that’ scenarios, and he’s not even that interested in participating.
Recently, at Toronto Comic-Con, Starr made it clear that the Marvel Universe isn’t his scene anymore.
But Starr isn’t the only one throwing cold water on the MCU train. Jenna Ortega, who appeared (or rather, disappeared) in Iron Man 3, made it clear that she has no time for Marvel’s half-baked roles.
Antony Starr declines MCU role, says he’s ‘too old’ for superhero life
Antony Starr is no stranger to playing the villain—his portrayal of Homelander in The Boys has cemented him as one of the most terrifying characters in TV history. But when it comes to the MCU, Starr seems to think his time has passed. His response to a fan question about possibly joining the MCU?
According to a recent X post, Austin Medeiros revealed that he asked Starr about any potential future in the MCU during Toronto Comic-Con. When Medeiros inquired if Starr would ever consider joining the Marvel universe, Starr’s response was as simple as it gets: “Nah, I’m a little too old for that.”
I asked Antony Starr if he would join the MCU and he said:
“Nah I’m a little too old for that” pic.twitter.com/DPBhjAhkla
— Austin Medeiros (@Austin_Medzz) March 16, 2025
Now, let’s break this down. There’s a certain undeniable charm to age. It gives you wisdom, perspective, and the kind of gravitas that makes you really understand the weight of responsibility. But for Starr, it seems like the MCU just doesn’t have a role that fits his seasoned persona. Sure, he’s theoretically open to playing Norman Osborn (the Green Goblin), but as he humbly put it:
I asked Antony Starr if he would play the new Norman Osborn/ Green Goblin in the MCU and he said:
“I COULD DO THAT! But Willem Dafoe did a great job so maybe not” pic.twitter.com/kZkcJqJv56
— Austin Medeiros (@Austin_Medzz) March 16, 2025
While we get his sentiment, we can’t help but think: Isn’t there always a place for someone who brings a touch of maturity and class to the table?
Jenna Ortega: Erased by the MCU and unwilling to look back
Jenna Ortega’s experience with the MCU is a cautionary tale of “blink and you’ll miss it.” Appearing in Iron Man 3 as the daughter of the Vice President, the actress, 22, quickly learned that her presence in the MCU was more of a footnote than a chapter. “I did it once,” she said in a rather blunt interview (via ET), “they took all my lines out.”
Ouch. It’s as if she was erased not just from the film, but from the very fabric of the MCU.
The young star has no time for franchises that treat her like a disposable prop. “I count that, and I move on,” she added, brushing it off like water off a duck’s back. And you can’t blame her.
After all, when you’re on the rise like the Wednesday star, why would you want to revisit a world that doesn’t value you beyond a fleeting cameo? Her rejection of future MCU offers speaks volumes about her unwillingness to settle for mediocrity. She’s about quality, not quantity. Now, even Paul Rudd can’t sway her to return to the MCU.
With stars like Antony Starr and Ortega declining to dive into Marvel’s ever-expanding universe, one might wonder if the MCU is slowly starting to lose its allure. If actors like these don’t see the appeal of joining the MCU—whether it’s because of their past experiences or their desire for more creative freedom—it’s worth asking: What’s next for the franchise?
Is the MCU just another passing phase in Hollywood, or is it still the big ticket for actors and fans alike?
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
