Grant Gustin dawned a red suit to play one of the most iconic roles the roster of DC superheroes had to offer: The Flash. Practically the mascot of the Arrowverse, The Flash was the longest-running series of the franchise, ending its run in 2023.
However, fans are keen for the actor to dawn another red suit, this time with a splash of blue, to play another influential character in the world of superheroes. However, this time, it’s for Marvel rather than DC, with Spider-Man. While the actor has made it known that he would like to return to The Flash if given a chance, his casting as Spider-Man might not be as appetizing as fans might think.
Fans cast Grant Gustin as Spider-Man
Fans, like most fan-casting campaigns these days, have taken to social media to talk about why the Marvel Cinematic Universe should cast Grant Gustin as a variant of Spider-Man, similar to the campaign that was launched for Hayden Christensen to play Peter Parker/Spider-Man.
It’s not gonna happen – But I think Grant Gustin would make an Amazing Spiderman/Peter Parker. pic.twitter.com/2zBW2wdif7
— Ian McD 🍻 (@CheersIan) January 14, 2015
idk if this is an unpopular opinion or what but I’d really like dylan o’brien, logan lerman or grant gustin to play spiderman
— flor (@spidevpool) April 17, 2016
In regards to Marvel Entertainment getting the rights for Spiderman, I say cast Grant Gustin for the role! He can… http://t.co/JQUvl3uz4u
— Nir Ainbinder (@ibeenthere_Nir) February 11, 2015
kinda mad that grant gustin is the flash because he would be so fucking perfect for peter parker/ spiderman
— annika (@SAMSWlLSONS) April 23, 2015
just had a thought, imagine Grant Gustin as Spiderman, he kinda looks like the comic version of peter parker
— Astronomic (@Astronomic05) April 18, 2022
While fans are tripping on the idea of Grant Gustin as Spider-Man, the consensus seems to be that any actor who has been a former teen heartthrob can play a version of the web-slinger. Be it Hayden Christensen, Logan Lerman, Dylan O’Brien, or even Joe Keery from Stranger Things.
Who else could play variants in the MCU?
As the Multiverse Saga still seems to be the charted course for Marvel, variant fever has grasped the fandom as they try to figure out how to get their favorite actors to play their favorite superheroes. Thanks to a potent rumor before the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, fans were convinced that Tom Cruise, who was in the running for Iron Man, was going to play a variant of Tony Stark. Therefore, given how candid the Marvel brand is with who was in the running to play a particular character, Therefore, it can be speculated who would play which character if they were to be ever cast as variants. This could be a product of who was in the running for a character and who the fans would love to see as a character (as was the case with John Krisanki’s Reed Richards).
However, actors that have currently essayed the roles of established characters could appear as their variants as well. Tom Hiddleston has played variants of himself, while also having variants played by other actors. The same is true for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker.
Perhaps we would see Hiddleston play a variant of Thor (the role he originally auditioned for). we may also see Emily Blunt as Sue Storm (fan cast) or Black Widow (the role she turned down for Edge of Tomorrow). We could see Ben Affleck return as a Daredevil Variant, just like Hugh Jackman is slated to for Wolverine and as Sir Patrick Stewart has for Charles Xavier.
