Marvel has been making live-action movies and TV shows based on its beloved stories for years, so it makes sense that several characters have been recast over time. From the three Aunt Mays of different ages to the multiple incarnations of Punisher, Marvel has kept fans guessing over the years about who they'll cast next.

Recastings can be a good or bad thing. When they're good, they are usually due to a poor performance that needs redeeming in a sequel or reboot. Prime examples are Tom Hardy, who had the easy task of being a better Eddie Brock/Venom than Topher Grace was in Spider-Man 3, and the older versions of Captain America and Doctor Strange, who have since been forgotten due to the popularity of the MCU versions. As for the bad recastings, we must remember that, despite the newer version(s) failing to live up to the past one(s), every version has their own fanbase. For example, many still see Tobey Maguire as the only Spider-Man. Meanwhile, some see Andrew Garfield as the web-head and weren't happy when he was prematurely given the boot in favor of Tom Holland. And (as much as fans don't wanna think about it), some will have similar feelings when Holland retires.

Because of Marvel's numerous cases of recastings, we're highlighting some of the best and worst instances. We are aware some may disagree with some entries, and that's okay. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and, thus, their own casting favorites.

So, get ready to separate the unforgettable casting choices from the best-forgotten as we explore 15 Marvel Recastings Better Than What We Got (And 10 That Didn't Work At All).

25 Better: Chris Evans – Captain America

Even hardcore Marvel fans would be forgiven for not knowing Captain America has appeared in live-action media several times. First, Dick Purcell played him in the 1944 serial, before Reb Brown suited up for two 1979 TV movies. However, it's the 1990 film starring Matt Salinger that's the most disappointing, as, despite featuring the first live-action appearance of Red Skull, currently stands as one of the worst-reviewed superhero films on Rotten Tomatoes.

When the MCU cast Chris Evans as Steve Rogers, fans were actually doubtful, as Evans' previous superhero experience was as the Human Torch in Tim Story's underwhelming Fantastic Four films. Thankfully, Evans put those doubts to rest and has since appeared in 11 films.

24 Didn’t Work: Zendaya – MJ

We've said it before: actress/singer Zendaya is taking over the world. However, one thing some fans aren't in love with is her MCU character. Now, let's be clear: MJ being on this list has NOTHING to do with Zendaya herself, but the character. We know she's said before she isn't Mary Jane Watson, but, ever since Kevin Feige said her initials were to remind fans of "that dynamic," fans have been connecting the two.

While Kirsten Dunst's Mary Jane wasn't to everyone's liking, she was closer to Watson attitude-wise. We're not saying Zendaya needs to be uttering, "Go get 'em, tiger," but it would've been nice to see her act more like her character.

23 Better: Mark Ruffalo – Hulk

The Incredible Hulk is overlooked by many MCU fans as, despite still being considered canon, it feels like a different universe. Reasons behind Edward Norton's replacement vary, but the general answer is that Norton is hard to work with. This makes it all the more relieving Ruffalo was brought in, as he fits in perfectly with his castmates.

If Norton had stayed on, Hulk's character would've definitely been different. Sure, possibly wiping the Hulk-Black Widow romance from existence would've been a positive aspect, but the changes made to Hulk's role in Thor: Ragnarok and his arc throughout the last two Avengers films would've most likely proven less effective.

22 Better: Josh Brolin – Thanos

After watching the first post-credits scene of The Avengers, fans were made aware of Thanos' looming presence in the MCU and had to wait six years for a proper introduction. However, it was hard not to notice the change in his appearance...mainly, that the Thanos we saw in The Avengers wasn't Josh Brolin.

Instead, he was briefly portrayed by actor/stuntman Damion Poitier (who later reappeared in Captain America: Civil War as one of Crossbones' mercenaries). Of course, we understand this was before Marvel knew their plans for the Mad Titan, including his casting. Thankfully, Brolin took over in Guardians of the Galaxy, and he's since been praised as one of the franchise's best villains.

21 Didn’t Work: Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Jamie Bell, AND Michael B. Jordan – Fantastic Four

Make no mistake: the two Fantastic Four films from the 2000s are not great (even if Michael Chiklis made a decent Thing), but they're at least four times better than what fans got in 2015. What could've been Josh Trank's sophomore hit after 2012's Chronicle instead turned into one of the worst superhero films of all time and the "winner" of that year's Razzie for Worst Picture (tied with Fifty Shades of Grey).

Despite featuring a talented cast, including future MCU star Michael B. Jordan as Johnny Storm (seems like a pattern for the Human Torch), the colorless film's behind-the-scenes issues made for a film that proved anything but fantastic.

20 Better: Benedict Cumberbatch – Doctor Strange

Many fans wanted to see Benedict Cumberbatch as Sorcerer Supreme Stephen Strange (try saying that five times fast) in the MCU, and, thankfully, magic happened and it came to be. However, many are unaware that Cumberbatch is actually the second actor to play the superhero in live-action.

In 1978, Marvel hoped to launch a new TV series with the television film Dr. Strange, starring Peter Hooten as Strange. However, he was a psychiatrist instead of a neurosurgeon, and his outfit left much to be desired. Combine this with the film's low ratings and overall lackluster production, and it's no wonder the show never happened.

19 Didn’t Work: Sally Field AND Maris Tomei – Aunt May

While it makes sense for a teenager to have a young aunt, Peter Parker's Aunt May is well-known for being a white-haired elder woman who gives him advice about the world while being unaware of his secret alter-ego. This is why Rosemary Harris was the perfect May for Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, as her gentle voice and strong acting provided some standout scenes.

While Sally Field is a talented actress, she wasn't a very interesting character (which Field admitted herself). However, the most controversial incarnation of May is definitely Marisa Tomei's in the MCU. Besides being much younger than usual, she is also used as a symbol and really has no point hanging around.

18 Better: Tom Hardy – Venom

Despite Spider-Man 3 already dealing with Sandman and another Green Goblin, Sony deemed it okay to add in one of Spider-Man's greatest foes, Venom, in a supporting role. While seeing the symbiote bond to Peter Parker was..."interesting" (watch the dancing scenes to see what we mean), the real disappointment came from seeing Topher Grace playing a smaller, more pathetic Eddie Brock, who, when combined with the symbiote, made for a smaller, more pathetic Venom.

Fans eventually got a reboot with Tom Hardy in the role, and, while many things were wrong with 2018's Venom, one thing Sony finally got right was Eddie Brock and his alter-ego. Now, we're just waiting on a showdown with Carnage.

17 Better: Emma Stone – Gwen Stacy

Bryce Dallas Howard may be well-known today for playing Claire Dearing in the Jurassic Park franchise, but, in 2007, she was known by many comic book fans for portraying Gwen Stacy, one of Peter Parker's love interests. While she didn't have much to do in the overstuffed Spider-Man 3, it wasn't Howard's fault, as her character was only used as by symbiote-influenced Peter to make Mary Jane jealous.

Stacy became a more fleshed-out character in the two Amazing Spider-Man films. Even better, she was played by Emma Stone, the then-girlfriend of Spider-Man himself, Andrew Garfield. Because of this, the chemistry they shared onscreen felt real, making her demise in the second film all the more heartbreaking.

16 Didn’t Work: Ciarán Hinds – Mephistopheles

Mephisto (based on Mephistopheles of the Faust legend) is basically Marvel's equivalent of the Devil, making deals with various characters for their souls and spreading evil everywhere he goes. So, when he was portrayed by Peter Fonda in 2007's Ghost Rider, audiences figured Marvel had made the right casting choice. Fonda knew Mephisto had to be despicable, yet enticing enough to trap Johnny Blaze in a contract.

However, all that charm was left in Hell for the 2012 sequel, when Ciarán Hinds portrayed him as a guy named "Roarke," who spent the film chasing after his child to use as an earthly vessel. Hinds would later ruin another supervillain via the CGI-heavy Steppenwolf in Justice League.

15 Better: Ryan Reynolds – Juggernaut

Juggernaut is a character that can only appear in live-action with CGI, which is what director Brett Ratner should've remembered for X-Men: The Last Stand. Played by Vinnie Jones, this version looked less like a hulking menace and more like...well, Vinnie Jones with a helmet on. And, even though Juggernaut is supposed to be practically unstoppable while running, he was knocked out while trying to get through a wall.

Thankfully, Deadpool 2's crew kept their rebooted version a secret, leaving his appearance a total shock to audiences. We still can't get over Ryan Reynolds doing both facial motion capture and the voice (deepened via digital manipulation) of a bigger, more powerful, and more accurate Juggernaut.

14 Didn’t Work: Toby Kebbell – Doctor Doom

Like the four superheroes that make up the franchise, Doctor Doom hasn't received a proper live-action adaptation in the Fantastic Four franchise. However, Julian McMahon's performance in the first films was a lot better than what fans got in Josh Trank's darker reboot. McMahon, while in costume, looked great as Doom, and, while his acting was nothing special, his voice was pretty good, too.

When Toby Kebbell took over, he portrayed Victor von Doom as an introverted computer scientist and made him more like a whiny jerk than an intimidating villain. Though his final appearance may have looked cool to some, Kebbell didn't even play him for the final fight due to reshoots.

13 Better: J.K. Simmons – J. Jonah Jameson

For many (if not all) Marvel fans, J.K. Simmons was a perfect J. Jonah Jameson in the original Spider-Man trilogy, constantly putting Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker on edge and us in fits of laughter. This is why many fans choose to forget the previous two live-action versions of the character.

The pilot for the 70s The Amazing Spider-Man TV series was released as a film, with David White as Jameson. For the series, Robert F. Simon took over the role. However, both actors portrayed Jameson the same: as a supportive and encouraging editor-in-chief. Yes, you read that right.

12 Didn’t Work: Tony Revolori – Flash Thompson

Another Spider-Man character drastically changed for the MCU, Eugene "Flash" Thompson, typically a bullying high school jock, was revamped as a rich kid jealous of Peter Parker. Again, this has NOTHING to do with Revolori (seriously, threats are never okay), but the way he played the character.

Previously, Flash was portrayed onscreen by Joe Manganiello and Chris Zylka, respectively, and both kept the character's mean attitudes and brute strength. Since Tom Holland's Spider-Man is the youngest and most awkward Peter Parker so far, an appearance by a beefed-up Flash would've made for perhaps the most realistic bully confrontation yet.

11 Better: Liev Schreiber – Sabretooth

Tyler Mane's Sabretooth left little to no impression in the original X-Men. Downgraded to a non-speaking henchman for Magneto, the villain, while intimidating, lacked the rivalry with Wolverine fans were used to seeing. So, nobody would've guessed that arguably the franchise's worst film would've given us a more proper Victor Creed.

This time played by Liev Schreiber (an already-intimidating guy on his own), Creed's origin was altered to have him as Wolverine's half-brother, who fought alongside him in several wars and William Stryker's Team X. Despite not looking as animalistic as Mane, Schreiber made up for it with his attitude and intense actions.

10 Better: Charlie Cox – Daredevil

When the world first found out Ben Affleck would be the next Batman, the Internet gave us several reasons why that wasn't a good idea. One of the main reasons was his first superhero performance: blind-lawyer-turned-vigilante Matt Murdock in 2003's Daredevil. While Affleck certainly wasn't the worst part of the film, his acting didn't do the character justice (though, at least he wasn't as over-the-top as...well, we'll get to him later).

Thankfully, due to the success of the MCU films, Marvel began a shared universe of TV series, with one of the highest-praised shows being Daredevil. Starring Charlie Cox, the show brought the gritty environment and action fans were demanding.

9 Didn’t Work: January Jones – Emma Frost

For a mutant who can harden her body into diamond, Emma Frost certainly hasn’t been shining bright in her live-action appearances. First played by Finola Hughes in the 1996 TV pilot movie Generation X, Frost blended in well with the rest of the cast…being just as bland and forgettable as they were.

However, she was arguably better than what fans got in X-Men: First Class. This was “thanks” to January Jones’ performance, who took a character known for dry wit and made her…well, just dry. Being overshadowed by the likes of James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender didn’t help much either.

8 Better: Jon Bernthal – Punisher

Failing to get a character right until the fourth attempt is sad, especially when it’s done to one of Marvel’s greatest characters. Punisher was first portrayed by Dolph Lundgren in 1989, which could’ve been cool, but three words ruined it: no skull shirt. Marvel retried in 2004, with Thomas Jane in a more comic-accurate role, but, while an improvement (and arguably the best Punisher film), it was too grim for viewers. Four years later, Ray Stevenson took the lead of one of the bloodiest (but also most poorly executed) superhero films ever.

So, how did Marvel fix this mess? By casting Jon Bernthal for Daredevil, where he received enough praise to gain his own show.

7 Didn’t Work: Harry Lloyd – Professor X

Okay, we know this seems unfair since we haven’t actually seen Harry Lloyd’s performance yet, but many fans will probably understand where we’re coming from here. The X-Men franchise has already given us two perfect portrayals of Charles Xavier via Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy.

Though McAvoy might’ve been tougher to get (due to filming for Dark Phoenix and/or Glass), Stewart himself has admitted his interest in reprising the role on Legion, with star Dan Stevens even personally invited him to do so. So, we ask: why didn’t the producers jump on that perfect opportunity? While we’re not doubting Lloyd’s acting abilities, we still would’ve liked to see Stewart or McAvoy in Xavier’s wheelchair again.

6 Better: Seth Green – Howard the Duck

Despite being hated by fans and critics for its bad acting and odd creative choices, George Lucas’ 1986 abomination, Howard the Duck, didn’t turn fans away from the anthropomorphic duck, and they have since clamored for a reboot. And, while his new CGI form only appeared for a few seconds in Guardians of the Galaxy (voiced by Seth Green instead of Chip Zien), this was more than enough to get fans excited for more.

Green would reprise the role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and the cartoon based on the films. Howard even appeared on the battlefield in Avengers: Endgame. With all this publicity, it’s no wonder an animated series is in production.