The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for its excellent casting choices, but certain actors from the DCEU could have filled the roles as well.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is popular in large part due to its stellar casting, with a litany of famous actors who are ideally suited to portray Marvel's iconic superhero characters in live-action. As the franchise continues to expand, these casting choices continuously prove themselves to be strokes of genius.

While most fans are happy with the actors currently leading the MCU, that doesn't mean there aren't others who could have done a similarly terrific job with Marvel's biggest roles. In fact, there are several cast members from the DC Extended Universe who could have portrayed the MCU's most important heroes in unique and compelling ways.

Moon Knight is a new addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, joining the franchise during its fourth phase. Portrayed by Oscar Isaac, the superhero debuted in his own self-titled Disney+ series, which explored the dissociative identity disorder of his several alter-egos as he desperately attempts to make sense of his new life.

The role of Marc Spector and his various alter-egos would be best suited for a man of Ewan McGregor's talents. The Scottish actor, who portrayed the Black Mask in Birds of Prey, is quite good at portraying someone with a fractured mind and could breathe life into the role in much the same way that Oscar Isaac did.

T'Challa, a.k.a. the Black Panther, was being set up as one of the leading characters in the future sagas of the MCU before Chadwick Boseman's tragic passing in 2020. Now, as the world awaits the revelation of who will be the next Black Panther, T'Challa's friends and family are forced to pick up the pieces in the forthcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Though no one could truly do the role justice quite like Boseman, in another universe, Hawkman actor Aldis Hodge would have made an admirable Black Panther. The actor has proven his skill in more grounded dramas over the years and will soon prove his mettle in the superhero genre as well when Black Adam finally releases.

The Mad Titan Thanos is one of the MCU's best villains, bringing death and destruction to the Avengers' doorstep in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Josh Brolin voiced and provided motion capture work for the Infinity Saga's villain, who defined the first era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The best DCEU actor to take on such a lofty villainous role would be the one to portray its very first antagonist. Michael Shannon perfectly personified evil as General Zod in Man of Steel, proving how dangerous his character could truly be. An actor of Shannon's talents would also do well in the more muted role of Thanos, allowing for more nuance in his performance.

Natasha Romanoff is a key character in the first three phases of the MCU. Portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, the Black Widow was a member of the Avengers' original lineup, serving as a leading member of the team until her heroic sacrifice on Vormir in Avengers: Endgame.

The DCEU's Amy Adams, who portrayed Lois Lane in the franchise, would be a perfect fit as the Black Widow. The Academy Award-winning actress certainly deserves a role with more nuance than that of her DC character, who has been given precious little screentime since her debut in 2013. Adams is a leading actress who could work wonders with the complicated character of Natasha Romanoff.

Marvel fans were stunned earlier this year at the surprise return of Anson Mount as Black Bolt in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The Inhuman king was thought unadaptable following the terrible ABC series centered around his family, but his recent cameo has fans wondering if Black Bolt may yet have a future in the MCU.

While Anson Mount is a great Black Bolt, Henry Cavill would play the role to perfection. The British actor has an appropriately imposing stature and is capable of conveying precise emotional non-vocally, as is necessary for the character of Black Bolt.

Brie Larson's Captain Marvel is one of the most powerful superheroes in the MCU. Making her next appearance in 2023's The Marvels, the character is sure to become a leading member of the Avengers throughout the Multiverse Saga and beyond.

Carol Danvers could be played by one of the DCEU's biggest breakout stars, Margot Robbie. After launching both her own popularity and that of Harley Quinn's in Suicide Squad, Robbie has quickly proven herself an acting force to be reckoned with, attaining two Academy Award nominations to prove it. The Australian actress is more than capable of steering the character of Captain Marvel to fan-favorite status and would make a terrific leading character in the future of the MCU.

Elizabeth Olsen's Wanda Maximoff, a.k.a. the Scarlet Witch, has been the breakout star of Phase 4, as she transforms into one of the MCU's most powerful villains. Though the character appears to die at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, many fans are convinced that they haven't seen the last of the most powerful Avenger.

Cara Delevigne played a character similar to Wanda's darker side in the often-maligned Suicide Squad. While the DC film gave the actress little time to shine, she could certainly prove herself as the Scarlet Witch, a far more complex role that offers viewers more reasons to empathize with her character.

Thor, the Norse god of thunder, is one of the central characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Chris Hemsworth first appears as the mighty son of Odin in 2011, since starring in six additional films, including the recent fourth installment of his solo franchise, Thor: Love and Thunder, which is now available to stream on Disney+.

The DCEU's Aquaman, Jason Momoa, would be a terrific alternate casting for Thor. The two characters' comic book counterparts are surprisingly similar in their fish-out-of-water relationship to their respective teams, making the actors a perfect swap among franchises. And, given that both characters are deeply rooted in mythology, Momoa would already have a leg up on any competition for the part after playing the DC's take on King Arthur for so long.

Steve Rogers, otherwise known as the original Captain America, is the first Avenger and one of the most important characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Chris Evans portrayed Captain America for over a decade, finally retiring from the part in Avengers: Endgame.

Chris Pine would have also made a great Captain America, as his portrayal of Steve Trevor perfectly illustrates. Trevor and Rogers are surprisingly similar, even both sacrificing themselves in a plane crash during a World War. Pine has been a frequent alternate fan casting for the part of Captain America as well, illustrating how perfect he would be in the role.

Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, is the very heart of the MCU's first three phases. Downey appeared in ten films as the character, consistently proving himself as one of the franchise's greatest character-actor matchups of all time.

Though it is difficult to imagine another actor in the role, The Suicide Squad's Nathan Fillion could have presented a terrific alternate version of Tony Stark. Fillion has the charisma necessary to pull off Stark's playboy antics prior to becoming a superhero, as well as the square-jawed noble qualities that make for a perfect onscreen hero.

NEXT: 10 MCU Characters Who Changed Spider-Man The Most

Jordan Iacobucci is an avid reader and movie fan, and has been since childhood. Jordan is known among his friends as the Marvel and Star Wars nerd, and even wrote a thirty-page college dissertation about Spider-Man! He is currently obtaining an English degree and lives outside Raleigh, North Carolina with his family. His other interests include working with children, reading, and music.