2 MCU Stars Address Possible Return After Lengthy Absence

by

Marvel Studios often brings back characters after they’ve been absent from the Marvel Cinematic Universe for a while, like William Hurt as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross in *Captain America: Civil War*, or Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones, who will appear in the upcoming second season of *Daredevil: Born Again*. Now, with two new *Avengers* movies on the horizon, two more former MCU stars have expressed interest in returning.

Which two MCU alums are ready to return?

Dominic Cooper and Alfre Woodard have both expressed interest in returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) while promoting their new AppleTV+ show, The Last Frontier. Cooper has been involved with the MCU since its early days, playing a young Howard Stark in Captain America: The First Avenger and appearing in the Agent Carter and What If…? series. Woodard is known for her role as Mariah Stokes/Black Mariah in Luke Cage, and she also made a brief appearance in Captain America: Civil War as a different character.

You know, I’m still on good terms with Marvel, but honestly, I don’t see myself back in the MCU anytime soon. It’s tough, because my character feels firmly rooted in that 1950s setting. Plus, John Slattery is already playing an older version of him alongside Robert Downey Jr., which is a little bittersweet. I really enjoyed my time with the ‘Agent Carter’ show though, that was a fun project.

Even though Slattery has already played Howard Stark in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the 1970s, Cooper is still eager to reprise the role, mainly because he finds the character so enjoyable and fascinating, but acknowledges he’s a product of his era. Looking back on his time in ‘Captain America’ and the Marvel world, Cooper realizes how special it was, especially getting to work with Stan Lee and discover he was the creator of the comics. He genuinely hopes he’ll get another chance to play Howard Stark again, as he finds the role incredibly fun.

Alfre Woodard is open to returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as either Mariah Dillard or Miriam Blake. She and showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker discussed the positive fan reaction to Mariah’s complex and morally ambiguous character, but Woodard felt Mariah’s story needed to end. She didn’t want Mariah to be reformed just to remain on the show, and believes the only way to revisit the character now would be through flashbacks.

Woodard expressed her enthusiasm about reprising her role as Miriam, a part she landed because of her friendship with Robert Downey Jr. She remembered him explaining that a crucial scene – where Tony Stark meets his mother – needed to demonstrate Stark’s significant sacrifice in working with the government. Downey Jr. specifically requested Woodard to help make that scene impactful.

You can watch Captain America: The First Avenger, Agent Carter, Luke Cage, Captain America: Civil War, and What If…? on Disney+. Meanwhile, a new show called The Last Frontier will debut on Apple TV+ on October 10, 2025.

Read More

2025-10-09 20:57