Tom Hanks Admits Marvel Never Wanted Him In MCU

Marvel Studios is deep in the process of developing more than two-dozen new projects for Phase 4 of the MCU and beyond, which only grew in quantity thanks to the recent announcements at Disney+ Day. With new entries on the way in both the animated sphere and the live-action realm of storytelling, Marvel once again will have its work cut out for it in the casting department.

The most recent official casting addition came with Will Poulter taking on the role of the long-awaited Adam Warlock in James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but that's only the start of Marvel Studios' upcoming task.

Currently, projects coming in 2022 or later are largely utilizing the talents of MCU regulars coming back for new adventures (or newcomers that were cast some time ago), but Marvel is always looking out for who could join the party next. 

For example, new rumors have pointed to veteran comedy star Jim Carrey potentially having signed on to play M.O.D.O.K., but there are still many more roles that need actors to fill them in other areas.

In a recent podcast episode, however, one world-famous star hinted that he may not be in the running for any of those new Marvel openings.

No MCU Calls for Tom Hanks 

During a chat with actor Will Arnett on the SmartLess Podcast, Hollywood veteran Tom Hanks revealed that Marvel Studios has never reached out to him about a potential role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Upon Arnett asking when Marvel called with their usual multi-film offer, Hanks claimed that the studio has "never called (him) once."

Hanks admitted that if Marvel were to contact him for a role in one of their various projects, he'd expect to be asked to "consider playing a secretary of defense" in the MCU, or a similar role, smaller in nature: 

"Here's the problem... First of all, they've never called me once. Nope, never. And I think that if one of these days they will, they'd say, 'Is there any way you'd consider playing a secretary of defense?' (laughs) Ya know, a guy who comes and says, 'Please, help us Ultraman, we can't survive!' I'd be one of those guys. I don't get to play the punk...'"

Will Hanks Ever Get the Marvel Call?

Tom Hanks is one of the most well-respected actors in Hollywood, boasting six Academy Award nominations and back-to-back Best Actor wins for performances in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump. He's also widely popular in the Disney-sphere thanks to his voiceover role as Woody in all four Toy Story movies by Pixar.

However, for all the acclaimed work that Hanks has put in over the years, he's never entered the arena of superhero movies. Not only has Marvel Studios not reached out to him for a role, but it doesn't seem that Warner Bros., Fox, or Sony have acquired his services for a film in this genre either.

Although Hanks' career is still going strong with his lead role in the recent Apple TV+ release Finch and other gigs like Geppetto in the live-action Pinocchio on the horizon, there aren't any clear signs pointing to a Marvel Studios role being on his radar anytime soon.

This could very well change, of course, but it would likely have to be something like his suggested "a secretary of defense," or something that Hanks sees as a challenge he would want to tackle as his superhero genre debut.