So you think you want to be a superhero ? Let me tell you, it isn’t easy. A fact that the cast of the MCU knows all too well. Over the years, they’ve had to make some serious sacrifices.
They deserve not only our respect but our praise as well.
See what I mean and check out these 10+ rules that the Marvel cast must follow at all times.
1. Don’t rock the boat.
Marvel has a vision. They aren’t necessarily looking for creative input or even opinions from their actors for that matter.
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This didn’t sit well with Edward Norton , who is known for being a little…possessive shall we say?
Supposedly, during a meeting with the Marvel brass, Edward went full-on Hulk!
After a lot of screaming and shouting, Edward was fired and replaced by Mark Ruffalo shortly thereafter.
No disrespect toward Mark Ruffalo, but I do often wonder what The Avengers might have looked like with Norton in the squad.
2. Actors must be in peak physical condition.
Before Chris Pratt ever stepped in front of a camera as Star-Lord, he had to drop some serious poundage.
Chris dropped more than 60 lbs in a mere 6 months in order to look the part.
3. You must consent to a background check.
Before Tom Vaughan-Lawlor was able to be cast as Ebony Maw, he had to sign stacks of documents and waivers.
The studio looked into his background in order to affirm that he didn’t have any fanatical ties or skeletons in his closet.
4. All actors are subjected to extensive combat training.
After Chadwick Boseman was tapped to play T’Challa in Black Panther , he began working with a wide array of martial artists.
Chadwick was studying under Grand Masters and training upwards of five hours a day!
5. A little knowledge is a powerful thing.
As is true in any job, those who go the extra mile tend to be rewarded for their efforts. This was certainly the case for Benedict Cumberbatch.
He once walked into a local comic book store dressed as Dr. Strange and bought as many books as he could carry!
6. Marvel actors can’t appear in DC films while under contract.
This came straight from the mouth of Chris Hemsworth .
The god of thunder and lightning said that it would be impossible for him to pursue a DC role because it would be illegal.
7. Actors must sign their likeness rights away.
This is most apparent in the case of Robert Downey Jr. .
Not only has he ‘appeared’ in video games, but his face is also plastered on everything from action figures to lunch boxes.
8. You’re in it for the long haul.
When actors sign on to the MCU, they usually sign multi-year deals. Chris Evans, for example, signed a six-film deal and Sebastian Stan is locked in for nine!
This also means that you’re contractually obligated to be at the studio’s beck and call for reshoots .
This did not sit well with Idris Elba, who was called to do just that, mere days after wrapping on *Long Walk To Freedom*.
Idris fought long and hard but in the end, it was all for nothing.
He spoke bluntly and openly about his dislike for the company, even calling the process torture at one point!
9. Don’t spoil the movie!
You’d think that this would be an easy one to follow. Unless, of course, your name happens to be Tom Holland.
He’s spoiled so many secrets over the years that the studio began pairing him with Benedict Cumberbatch in interviews. Benedict became Tom’s ‘blocker.’
10. You have to act like a hero — both on and off set.
Marvel actors are expected to maintain a clean image. One of the biggest and most important means of doing this is for actors to be charitable with their time and money.
Over the years, the castmembers have spent countless hours and millions of dollars giving back to worthy causes.
11. Patience is a virtue.
For characters like Drax and Gamora, a lengthy makeup and prosthetic process had to be undertaken daily. But no actor had it worse than Karen Gillan.
The first time she appeared as Nebula it took a team of artists more than four hours to apply her makeup.
12. Marvel actors can never be seen smoking in character.
As of 2015, Disney has banned all smoking in films PG-13 and under.
That means that we aren’t likely to see Nick Fury smoking his classic stogie any time soon.
13. You will never be allowed to take home a script.
Most MCU actors don’t even get the opportunity to read it!
For Avengers: Infinity War , the stars were given one opportunity to read the full script in a locked room , off of an iPad, with no one else around.
