If there’s one thing we’ve learned about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s that a good chunk of its superstar actors weren’t supposed to be on the roster. The same goes for Aubrey Plaza, a Hollywood icon known for her quirky personality that tends to bleed out onto the silver screen as well. The 40-year-old Dirty Grandpa actress recently blew up for her role as Rio Vidal on Agatha All Along.
It’s interesting that Marvel is trying its absolute best to engage with its massive fanbase by releasing a couple of side stories like Agatha All Along or even WandaVision, avoiding a long wait between full-length movies. Such projects have helped fans dive deeper into the MCU as well. However, Plaza claims she didn’t intend to be a part of the franchise.
What convinced Aubrey Plaza to join the MCU’s Agatha All Along?
After making her silver screen debut in 2009 with Mystery Team, Aubrey Plaza went on to work on numerous other critically acclaimed movies such as The To Do List, Monsters University, Mortdecai, and TV shows like Easy, Parks and Recreation, as well as The Legend of Korra.
Joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe was never on the cards for Plaza as she hesitated to be a part of something as big as the franchise. According to TIME, she said,
The Marvel of it all was the least appealing thing about it because I’m hesitant to become part of that machine… But I watched WandaVision, and I felt like, wow, this is transcending the Marvel tropes, and it’s kind of elevated.
Aubrey Plaza seemingly took inspiration to work with the MCU from Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlett Witch character. Olsen has been with the MCU since 2015, debuting her character in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
But there was another reason behind her choice to be a part of the cast of Agatha All Along. Plaza was excited to work with co-star Kathryn Hahn, who guest-starred in Parks and Recreation. Plaza also had to juggle between filming Megalopolis and Agatha All Along.
Much like Aubrey Plaza, other actors weren’t planning on being a part of the MCU
For Aubrey Plaza, it’s almost as if every star in the universe is aligned. Her fascination with the occult also would’ve been why she agreed to take up the witch role in Agatha All Along. Based on what she said, Joe Schaeffer’s writing also tickled her interests.
However, much like Plaza herself, multiple other MCU stars weren’t supposed to be a part of the franchise. For example, Robert Downey Jr. initially auditioned for Doctor Doom in the 2005 release of Fantastic Four.
As we all know, it never happened. The MCU ended up bringing him back for Ironman, who eventually became the frontman of the entire storyline that unfolded until Avengers: Endgame.
But without Downey Jr’s help, fans of the MCU wouldn’t have witnessed Chris Evans’ incredible Captain America. Marvel’s Kevin Feige and one of the MCU’s producers, Stephen Broussard wanted Sebastian Stan to play Steve Rogers. Stan ended up being cast as Bucky Barnes, in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
It’s a big commitment to do these Marvel movies… Initially the offer was nine pictures. Then it went to six. But six movies can last a really long time. My concern was the fact that this will a life-changing experience and the following commitment would be more than I could handle. But that did not turn out to be the case. (Via Comic Book Report)
Evans claimed it was the best decision he had ever made. Even Mark Ruffalo, who played Hulk following Edward Norton’s departure, didn’t want to join the MCU as it was a massive commitment (Via Yahoo! Movies). Downey Jr. once again convinced a fellow A-lister to join the cast.
Agatha All Along can be streamed on Disney+.
