Zac Efron is the latest Hollywood A-lister to express interest in joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
During a recent interview for his upcoming film Firestarter, Efron was asked if he would ever play a superhero amid calls from fans for him to join the MCU. The actor appeared to have been taken aback by the question, but his answer couldn’t be more direct.
“I love the Marvel universe,” Efron told ExtraTV. “I’ve been a fan of Marvel since I started walking. If the right character comes along, and they want me to jump in, I would jump at the opportunity.”
Who could Zac Efron play in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Efron has been a popular fan cast for Johnny Storm, aka Human Torch, in Fantastic Four, but now that he’s 32 years old, it seems that he’s already a bit of old for the role. Considering the actor’s age, The Direct reported that he may be more suitable to play superheroes like Richard Rider’s Nova and the X-Men’s Cyclops.
Though the competition for the MCU’s Wolverine is already tough with both Daniel Radcliffe and Taron Egerton having expressed their interest in playing the iconic role, it looks like Efron can also offer a new take on the claw-wielding fan favorite, thanks to the actor’s usual facial hair, muscular stature, and great acting prowess.
Aside from giving off some serious superhero vibes, Efron has the charisma of some of the MCU’s most notable stars, making him a great candidate for the next MCU lead star.
It’s currently unclear whether Marvel Studios is aware of Efron’s interest in joining the MCU. But it wouldn’t be surprising if the studio seriously considers him for a superhero role. As fans can remember, Marvel Studios did hear out Simu Liu when he first shared his desire to play Shang-Chi ahead of casting, so it’s completely possible for Efron to have the same fate.