The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to hum and fans are eagerly awaiting the next phase of movies and shows in the blockbuster series. With Disney acquiring Fox in recent years, fans are simply waiting for the day when X-Men and mutants finally step foot into the MCU.

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Beast is one of the core members of the X-Men and is a nuanced character that deserves a performance that blends the mutant's intellectual perspective and endearing personality. From British actors to Disney child stars, there are more than a handful of performers that could take on the role of Beast and make him a standout among his counterparts in the MCU.

8 Josh Gad

Marvel MCU Casting Beast Josh Gad

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is set to try and accomplish the Herculean task of reintroducing the X-Men into their universe. Though people loved some aspects of Beast from both the original Fox trilogy and the new timeline Fox trilogy, it's a character that still hasn't had that iconic actor performance that makes it sing. Josh Gad may sound like an out-of-the-box choice, but the man is charming and funny, and audiences tend to like him.

He's a bit on the older side if the belief is that Marvel will go with a younger group of mutants, but Beast is a mentor and adult figure in most portrayals. The mutants in the MCU will likely be younger kids coming to terms with their powers and how the world will treat them as a result. Gad feels like the type of actor who can make Beast a welcoming soul for these kids to trust, bond with, and learn from.

7 Sam Richardson

Marvel MCU Casting Beast Sam Richardson

For better or worse Sam Richardson is the comedian and actor people have seen in numerous beloved projects that they simply don't know the name of. He brings an immediately infectious smile and charisma to any role he takes on.

It's a well-known thing these days that comedians often flourish when given the chance to take on a more serious role, and though Dr. Hank McCoy isn't always resolute and consequential in his dialogue, Richardson is more than capable of delivering the range of emotions and non-verbal responses needed from Beast in the MCU's take on the X-Men.

6 Rahul Kohli

Marvel MCU Casting Beast Rahul Kohli

Mike Flanagan is known for his series of horror-adjacent shows that have added a lot to the Netflix streaming catalog. Flanagan has also followed a pattern of including many of the same performers in his productions due to the relationships and trust between the two. One standout is Rahul Kohli, who has played endearing roles in multiple Flanagan projects, as well as the television show iZombie.

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Fans have cast him as Mr. Fantastic in the upcoming Fantastic Four movie set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but the British talent could also nail the role of Dr. Hank McCoy. Kohli's strengths as an actor as his charm, warmth, and leading-man presence and he would be a highlight in the MCU.

5 Daniel Radcliffe

Marvel MCU Casting Beast Daniel Radcliffe

Readers may consider this entry blasphemy as Daniel Radcliffe is singularly tied to the role of Wolverine in the fan-casting community. His career exploded thanks to his role as Harry Potter in the movie series based on the ever-popular book series.

Since then he's landed in a space where he tends to be in over-the-top projects that have him playing characters at max volume. Beast is often misunderstood and feared by those unwilling to hear him for who he is. For the rest of his life, Radcliffe will always be known as Harry Potter, but the world also needs to let him define himself as more than just the kid in glasses with a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead.

4 Dylan Sprouse

Marvel MCU Casting Beast Dylan Sprouse

The Sprouse twins, Dylan and Cole, have been a part of pop culture since their days on Disney's nostalgic and beloved The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. Cole has garnered a new generation of fans thanks to his major role in the television show Riverdale as the character Jughead.

Dylan's career has been much more tied in the indie film scene. Though the two are twins, Dylan tends to better portray roles with a bit more edge to them, whereas Cole is often typecast as a kind and welcoming romantic interest. It seems to be a matter of time before either makes it into a major movie franchise and the role of Beast feels right for Dylan Sprouse. Marvel tends to work outside the box many times when casting for new characters and with their approach to X-Men likely being a younger ensemble, casting Dylan as Beast feels like a move they could make.

3 Henry Cavill

Marvel MCU Casting Beast Henry Cavill

Sure, the idea of Henry Cavill playing a character in which he could showcase the physique he works so hard to maintain would be welcome and is likely the reason his introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been tied to characters like Captain Britain or Sentry.

Some people might scoff at hiring him to play a character like Beast, but it could provide Cavill with an outlet to showcase his pure acting ability and the commitment he makes to his roles. Dr. Hank McCoy is both suave and intelligent and is often one of, if not the, smartest person in the room. Cavill's recent descent into the world of technology and showcasing his hobbies to the world serve as evidence that he might have this in common with the burly blue beast.

2 John Boyega

Marvel MCU Casting Beast John Boyega

Recently, despite the numerous fan campaigns, John Boyega expressed his lack of interest and/or desire when it came to joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He stated that he's more interested in nuanced things and fresh ideas. It's unclear if Boyega is being steadfast in these thoughts or simply leveraging in negotiations, but either way, it'd be a bummer to most fans if he never appeared in an MCU movie.

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His resume sort of speaks for itself in terms of him playing leading roles in everything from indie films to critical darlings, to some of the biggest series in the world. Dealing with the exhaustive criticism and hate from Star Wars and Pacific Rim might have soured him on blockbusters. Beast is often played as serious or dry, and Boyega is someone who could ride the line between an intelligent thinker and a charismatic ally.

1 Dev Patel

Marvel MCU Casting Beast Dev Patel

It's about time that actor Dev Patel got his flowers, which is a turn of phrase meaning said individual deserves recognition for their work. The Marvel Cinematic Universe strives to provide representation and Patel is the perfect leading man to provide an additional piece to that perspective direction, along with actor Rahul Kohli who was mentioned in an earlier entry.

He has the range and ability to play many of the pivotal mutants belonging to the X-Men series, but Beast might be the most fitting. Patel has a natural charisma, but pairs that with the ability to take himself to dark places that allow him to portray a man audiences can love, but also one that can fear in the right moment. Beast is often a mentor to other mutants, so even if the plan for the MCU is to introduce a younger class of X-Men, Patel is just old enough to slot in as a resident advisor and educator.

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