Summary:
- Zac Efron has publicly expressed his desire to join the MCU in the past.
- If the actor joins the MCU, it will be his first superhero gig in his entire career.
- The actor is rumored to play Wolverine, Ghost Rider, Hyperion, and Cyclops in the MCU. No official statement from Marvel Studios so far.
Zac Efron has been on the radar for a Marvel Cinematic Universe role for some time, and recent buzz suggests his entry into the superhero world could be imminent.
Efron is no stranger to Disney stints, as he rose to fame as Troy Bolton in Disney’s High School Musical franchise, and has since expanded his range with roles in everything, from raunchy comedies like Baywatch and Dirty Grandpa to the more dramatic The Iron Claw, which is considered his best cinematic performances to date.
Having started acting at a very young age, and given his impressive sculpted figures, it’s somewhat surprising that Efron hasn’t yet donned a superhero cape. With the MCU continuously expanding through the Multiverse Saga and many Marvel characters still waiting to be introduced on-screen, Efron’s opportunity might just be around the corner.
The actor himself has expressed a keen interest in joining Marvel, and didn’t hesitate to express his desire during a 2022 interview: “I’ve been a fan of Marvel since I started walking.”
He even went so far as to say, “I would jump at the opportunity” to be part of the MCU. Given Efron’s enthusiasm for joining the superhero roster and his remarkable portfolio, it’s weird that he hasn’t played a superhero role yet.
Though Efron was once a popular fan choice to play Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch, in The Fantastic Four, that role eventually went to Joseph Quinn. However, the list of potential characters the 36-year-old could play is long. Rumors have circulated that Efron has been in discussions with Marvel Studios, though no specific role has been tied to these talks.
Besides the Human Torch, Zac Efron is also linked to the role of Reed Richards and Wolverine. While the former role belongs to Pedro Pascal, the latter could become a reality in the future. While Hugh Jackman will reprise his role in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine movie, the Aussie star is simply too old to play such a physically demanding character for a long time.
This is where Efron’s youth and physique come into play. Efron, at 36 and in peak physical condition, could perfectly embody the ruggedness and emotional depth of Wolverine, as demonstrated in his role in The Iron Claw.
When asked about stepping into Wolverine’s shoes, Efron, who has worked alongside Jackman in The Greatest Showman, responded playfully, noting that Jackman was still doing well enough. He also highlighted his openness to an MCU role: “Wow, they could just call me,” he remarked when told Marvel was looking for a “Zac Efron type.”
Besides these characters, Efron is also rumored to play the MCU version of Cyclops, Hyperion, and Ghost Rider, but this is a story for another time.
