Despite not being cast as the Sentry, Steven Yeun remains eager to work with Marvel. The actor, who is well-known for his roles in shows like The Walking Dead, Beef, and the film Minari, was previously announced as Robert Reynolds/Sentry in the upcoming movie Thunderbolts in February 2023, but the role ultimately went to someone else. However, there are many other Marvel characters Yeun would be a great fit for.
In an interview from March 2026, Yeun indicated he’s open to joining Marvel, saying you never know what the future holds. This has sparked excitement among fans about the possibility of seeing the Invincible actor play a hero or villain in a live-action Marvel project. Many believe Yeun would be a great fit for several existing Marvel characters, and some could even appear in upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe films.
Steven Yeun Would Be Great as Norrin Radd’s Silver Surfer
The movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set in an alternate 2025, brought both the Fantastic Four and a new version of the Silver Surfer into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this version, Shalla-Bal (played by Julia Garner) became a Herald of Galactus (voiced by Ralph Ineson) and gave her life to protect her planet – a fate that could have befallen Norrin Radd in the main Marvel Comics universe. Radd is the most well-known Silver Surfer, and the role would be a challenging and impactful one for actor Steven Yeun.
Steven Yeun is known for playing characters who are inwardly intense, deeply emotional, and complex, and he’s perfectly suited for this role. His lean build matches the Silver Surfer’s appearance, and he can powerfully convey the character’s tragic backstory and inner turmoil, much like Julia Garner did in The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Even though the recent Fantastic Four movie seemingly sent Galactus away through a teleportation bridge, it’s doubtful Marvel Studios has finished with the character and his Heralds. They might introduce the version of Galactus from the main comic book universe, and with it, Norrin Radd as the Silver Surfer. Steven Yeun has the talent and is well-known enough to play such an important character, making him a strong candidate for the role.
Machine Man Would Be an Unconventional Choice for Steven Yeun in the MCU
Marvel Studios has featured various artificial intelligence characters in its movies and shows, and many of them are returning in the upcoming series, VisionQuest. Paul Bettany will reprise his role as Vision, alongside Emily Hampshire as E.D.I.T.H., Orla Brady as F.r.i.d.a.y., James D’Arcy as J.A.R.V.I.S., and James Spader as the villainous Ultron. The series might also introduce new AI characters, and Steven Yeun would be a fantastic choice to play the unique role of Machine Man.
Okay, so I just learned about this character, Machine Man, and he’s fascinating. He wasn’t built as a weapon and left at that – he was actually raised as the son of the scientist who created him, and then developed feelings! Talk about a complex role for an actor to sink their teeth into. If Steven Yeun lands this part in the MCU, it could be huge for him. It’s a really unexpected move, which I love, and it opens the door to so many possibilities – teaming up with the X-Men, the Avengers, even the West Coast Avengers. I honestly think this could launch a long and exciting run for Yeun in the Marvel universe.
Steven Yeun Could Become the MCU’s Most Unstable Mutant as Legion
As a fan, I was really captivated by David Haller, also known as Legion, in the comics – he’s the son of Professor X and a Holocaust survivor, and Dan Stevens did a great job playing him. But now that Disney owns everything and is bringing the X-Men into the main Marvel Cinematic Universe, it seems likely Legion will be recast. I think Steven Yeun would be perfect! He’s so good at playing characters who are struggling emotionally, but still manages to make you care about them and root for them.
David Haller, also known as Legion, has a mental health condition called dissociative identity disorder. Each of his different personalities has its own unique and unpredictable superpower. He’s often portrayed as both a villain and a hero, and is considered one of Marvel’s strongest and most dangerous characters. While Dan Stevens played Legion as relatively stable, Steven Yeun has the talent to portray a much more chaotic and unpredictable version of the character within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Steven Yeun as Iron Fist Might’ve Already Been Teased in the What If…? Series
Like with the character Legion, we’ve already seen live-action versions of Iron Fist, most notably through Finn Jones’ portrayal of Danny Rand in the Iron Fist series. While many fans would like to see Jones return, possibly in Season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again, other versions of Iron Fist could also appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We’ve already been introduced to Kwai Jun-Fan in the animated series What If…?, and the Multiverse Saga opens the door for him to make a live-action appearance as well.
I was so excited to see Kwai Jun-Fan in the Wild West version of What If…?! While Steven Yeun isn’t Chinese-American like the character, Marvel has changed ethnicities before – remember Namor? – and I think he’d be absolutely perfect as an adult Jun-Fan, taking on the role of Iron Fist. He’s proven he can handle intense action, and honestly, I think he could bring a lot more depth to the character than we’ve seen before. I’d love to see him as a live-action Iron Fist!
Steven Yeun Could Explore the MCU’s Cosmos as Richard Rider’s Nova
Steven Yeun has the perfect mix of approachability, charisma, and down-to-earth appeal to play Richard Rider, also known as the superhero Nova. He’d be a great fit for the role if Marvel decides to move forward with a Nova series – something fans have been hoping for since Nova Corps was introduced in the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy. Although Marvel’s plans have shifted, Yeun deserves serious consideration for the lead.
Richard Rider, known as Nova, gained powers from an intergalactic police force and has been a major cosmic hero in Marvel comics for years. Many fans are surprised he hasn’t shown up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe yet. Steven Yeun would be an excellent choice to play Nova, given his age and established name, and he could potentially become a leading figure in future cosmic stories after the events of Avengers: Secret Wars and a possible reset for the MCU.
Mister Negative Is the Most Popular Fan-Cast for Steven Yeun in the MCU
After it was revealed Steven Yeun wouldn’t be in Thunderbolts, fans immediately began suggesting him for other roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. A particularly popular choice is Martin Li, also known as Mister Negative, a Spider-Man villain who first appeared in Marvel Comics in 2007. He has the power to control both dark and light energies, and many believe he could be a great addition to the MCU.
Steven Yeun would be an excellent choice to play Mister Negative in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the character is traditionally Chinese, which would mean Yeun playing a different ethnicity, or the character’s backstory might need to be changed. Regardless, Yeun has demonstrated his talent for portraying complex, emotionally vulnerable, and action-oriented characters. With the MCU already dropping hints about Mister Negative, an appearance from Yeun could happen soon.
Martin Li, also known as Mister Negative, started the F.E.A.S.T. Project, where Aunt May worked in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Hints about his gang, the Inner Demons, have also shown up in photos from the set of Spider-Man: Brand New Day. While we’re still waiting for the first trailer for Spider-Man: Brand New Day, it could reveal more about the film and what role Mister Negative will play. Many fans, including us, would like to see Steven Yeun take on the role of Mister Negative in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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2026-03-14 05:11