Landing a role in the MCU as one of the Avengers is a dream come true for any actor, and the casting stories of people who almost donned the suits are always fascinating to hear, especially after knowing how starkly different their current performances are. Such was also the case when one villain from Daredevil: Born Again revealed that he was close to wielding Captain America’s shield until Chris Evans swooped in.
Evans shined in his portrayal, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else playing the part. Other names were also being considered for the star-spangled hero, but fate was on his side. So let’s dive into this casting story that could have changed someone’s career trajectory, but it didn’t materialize — and maybe for the better.
How Wilson Bethel almost became Captain America before Chris Evans
Wilson Bethel is best known for being the chilling and unhinged Bullseye, who first appeared in Netflix’s Daredevil. But before he was the deadliest marksman, Bethel was inches away from becoming Captain America, and at a 2024 Fan Expo in San Francisc, he shared his experience.
The hardest hit I took was…I came very close to being cast as Captain America, and this was when I was like in my mid twenties. I went through multiple rounds of screen testing, and the suit felt incredible. Yeah [when asked if he has pictures] There were all these things that were happening that made me feel like I was getting the part.
However, Bethel’s agents later called to inform him that Chris Evans was offered the role instead. The actor went on to joke about how his career kept slowly building from there rather than turning into an overnight success, but he also expressed his gratitude for the way things have turned out for him.
Wilson Bethel and Chris Evans were cast perfectly
Interestingly, Bethel wasn’t the only actor who auditioned for that role. Other stars who also appear in Marvel were tested for the part as well, such as John Krasinski, Sebastian Stan, and Chris Pratt (via ScreenRant). But after their near-miss as Steve Rogers, everyone found their footing in the MCU.
Wilson Bethel did complete justice to his character of Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter, a.k.a. Bullseye, a mentally unstable FBI agent who turns into a lethal assassin. His performance was so chilling that showrunners brought him back for Daredevil: Born Again, and he is once again being praised for the way he balances vulnerability with terrifying menace.
On the other hand, Evans was equally brilliant at showcasing Captain America’s internal conflict and growth. His portrayal was sincere and complex, which solidified him as one of the most beloved figures in the saga. So, if the casting directors had misfired, we would have missed out on the most compelling antagonist and protagonist in Marvel.
You can watch all of the Captain America movies and Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
