Marvel Studios officially revealed a fresh lineup of actors stepping into the shoes of Chris Hemsworth and six other well-known MCU stars for its next Disney+ series. The show will give a new voice to some of the franchise's most iconic characters with different performers. Don't freak out, however, as a few of these replacements have already played these MCU heroes.
Marvel Zombies, the upcoming four-part series, will debut on Disney+ on September 24. Marvel confirmed six major actor replacements from the MCU. This practice isn't unusual for Marvel Animation, as What If…? (the show Marvel Zombies spins off from) previously featured new voice actors like Mick Wingert as Tony Stark, Lake Bell as Natasha Romanoff, and Josh Keaton as Steve Rogers.
Still, the announcement is disappointing after MCU veterans Paul Rudd, Tessa Thompson, and Wyatt Russell were all previously confirmed to reprise their roles in the series.
While the MCU teased that it eventually plans to recast big-name characters in live-action, this casting news for Marvel Zombies shouldn't be a huge surprise.
7 MCU Stars Recast in Marvel Zombies
Todd Williams - Blade
Todd Williams is the new voice of Blade, filling in for Mahershala Ali, who portrays the character in the live-action MCU (but has yet to appear on screen).
This is Williams' first time voicing Blade in animation, though the actor has notably replaced Ali before. Invincible's Titan was voiced by Mahershala Ali initially in the show's first season, before being recast with Williams in the role for Season 3.
Williams also portrayed Rick Mason in the Spider-Man: Miles Morales PlayStation 5 game.
Kenna Ramsey - Okoye
Kenna Ramsey voices Zombie Okoye, stepping in for live-action MCU actress Danai Gurira.
Ramsey previously portrayed Okoye in What If...?, continuing the trend of animated replacements rather than bringing back the original film actors. The walking dead version of Okoye is supposed to have a significant role, working directly under the Scarlet Witch.
Rama Vallury - Baron Zemo
Rama Vallury provides the voice of Baron Zemo, replacing Daniel Brühl from the live-action films and shows.
In X-Men '97, Vallury voiced another alternate take on Baron Zemo in Episode 8. Brühl has been absent from the MCU since The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, but a scrapped Thunderbolts post-credits scene would have brought Zemo back into the fray.
Greg Furman - Thor
Taking the thunder over for Chris Hemsworth, Greg Furman voices Thor in Marvel Zombies, who's been busy filming what will be his 9th MCU film, Avengers: Doomsday.
This is Furman's first time in the role of animation, as Hemsworth previously voiced his character in What If...?. Despite not returning, Hemsworth still makes history as one of two actors who have appeared in every MCU Phase.
Hudson Thames - Spider-Man
Hudson Thames takes over the voice of Spider-Man in Marvel Zombies, replacing Tom Holland, who plays the character in the live-action MCU.
Thames previously voiced Peter Parker in What If...? and continues the animated legacy, as Holland hasn't provided any (exclusively) voice work for the character on Disney+.
After some controversy, Thames clarified that past comments about Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (where he also voices Peter) being "woke" were taken out of context.
Kari Wahlgren - Melina Vostokoff
Kari Wahlgren reprises her role as Melina Vostokoff in Marvel Zombies, continuing from What If...? Season 3 and replacing Rachel Weisz from the live-action MCU.
Wahlgren is a seasoned actress with other Marvel experience, voicing Rose Gilberti in X-Men '97 and May Parker in Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man.
Feodor Chin - Wenwu
Feodor Chin reprises the role of Xu Wenwu, again taking over from Tony Leung after previously voicing the character in What If...? Season 2.
Despite Leung not returning to voice Wenwu, Shang-Chi star Simu Liu is confirmed for Marvel Zombies. The trailer shows him playing a major role as one of the surviving heroes alongside Katy.
