MCU fans torn over ‘recast’ we never noticed

Deadpool & Wolverine welcomed a ton of 20th Century Fox characters into the fold of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Chris Evans returned as Human Torch, Jennifer Garner reprised her role as Elektra, while Dafne Keen came back as X-23 to name just a few.

Avengers: Doomsday will continue the trend, bringing back Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, for example, as Professor X and Magneto.

While most of the faces returning are familiar, that sentiment doesn’t apply to all.

Deadpool & Wolverine also brought back The Russian, although it wasn’t Kevin Nash in the role this time around.

WWE Hall of Famer Nash originally portrayed the role of The Russian in 2004’s The Punisher, a take on Frank Castle that, I’m sorry to say, pales in comparison to Jon Bernthal’s current TV run.

When The Russian reappeared in Deadpool & Wolverine, the role was played by Billy Clements which Nash has since opened up about.

Thunderbolts* is the MCU’s next film.

In an interview with YouTube channel Kliq THIS, Nash said, “That doesn’t even … that looks nothing like the character I played. That looks nothing like the Russian. It looks like they gave somebody a favour.”

Nash has been pretty open about not being offered the opportunity to return.

While many are on Nash’s side, others have argued an interesting point.

“Wasn’t a recast, probably just a variant,” said Water2Wine378.

“THEY DIDN'T EVEN ASK HIM?!?! I assumed they asked everyone, and the ones they replaced were because the originals weren't interested,” remarked JoshuaBermont.

“Kevin Nash's Russian is dead though so it makes sense that he wouldn't be there and a Russian from a different universe would be. I still would've loved to see him in the movie though,” added another user.

Ever since Marvel introduced the multiverse, it’s been pretty easy to explain away why some characters may have changed appearance.

Still, it’s a shame for Nash that he didn’t get a chance to return.