Dark Phoenix is a 2019 superhero movie based on the Marvel Comics X-Men characters. It is a sequel to 2016’s X-Men: Apocalypse (which was critically panned and rejected by audiences). But its sequel earned even the worst reviews for any X-Men movie in the franchise.
However, there’s one actress from the X-Men franchise who turned down roles in prominent films like Iron Man 3 and Doctor Strange 2 to star in what’s perceived as the worst Marvel movie ever made.
Jessica Chastain Chose Worst Marvel Film Over Blockbusters
In early August, Chastain confirmed that she’d be in the 10th installment of the X-Men movie. She turned down roles in other superhero films but liked this one because it focused on female characters.
But when the movie flopped, the actress who played Vuk and Margaret Smith in Simon Kiberg’s 2019 film talked about the mess with the superhero flop. Chastain said on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that the X-Men film was in limbo due to the merger of Fox and Disney, “I think the studio was bought at a certain point.”
She continued, “I didn’t even know what my character’s name was until I saw the film. What’s happening?” The 46-year-old also added her positive memories while working on the film: “It was an interesting thing. Simon Kinberg, who directed it, is an incredible human being, and I’ve worked with him again [on The 355]; I love him.”
Chastain came close to landing roles in Iron Man 3 and Doctor Strange 2. But she was aiming for something more significant in the MCU that eventually didn’t mean to be.
Jessica Chastain Missed Significant Opportunity to Play in Marvel Blockbusters
Jessica Chastain was considered for two roles in the MCU. First, she nearly played Maya Hansen, a scientist linked to Tony Stark. In 2012, she mentioned on her Facebook page that she was too busy, writing, “Sorry to say that ‘Iron Man 3’ isn’t going to work out. My schedule is jammed packed and I can’t fit anything else in.” The part eventually went to Rebecca Hall.
Years later, Chastain was rumored for Doctor Strange 2 as Christine Palmer—Stephen Strange’s ex. However, it didn’t happen, as Chastain turned down the role. In a 2020 podcast, the screenwriter said that the Ava star wanted to be a superhero in the MCU, not a sidekick.
“She’s like, ‘Hey, look, this project sounds awesome, and I would love to do it. But I’m only going to get one shot at being in a Marvel film and becoming a Marvel character, and I trained in ballet, and I really want to wear a cape,'” C. Robert Cargill said. The role went to Rachel McAdams later.
