Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
11
Premium Benefits
24/7
Access Available
21K+
Active Members
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Video
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Best Netflix Movies
  • Movie Release Dates
  • Best movies on Disney Plus
  • Best Netflix Shows
Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Entertainment
  2. Movies
  3. Action Movies
  4. DC Movies
  5. Aquaman

"It was one of the best meetings I’ve ever had" – Aquaman’s Jason Momoa reveals how close he was to becoming an MCU villain

News
By Bradley Russell published 20 July 2018

Playing a potential Captain America villain was just one of several incredible comic book opportunities for the actor

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

How different things could have been. In a parallel universe we never would have witnessed Jason Momoa as Aquaman. Instead, as he reveals, he could’ve swapped the trident for a chance at going face-to-face with Captain America. Or joining forces with Guardians of the Galaxy. Or playing Batman. The man has had a lot of very interesting auditions over the years…

“I met the Russo brothers,” Momoa tells EW, “Who are amazing. It was one of the best meetings I’ve ever had. I was going to do something with them, which unfortunately didn’t work out.”

That sounds like it was almost a done deal. Gah. But who would he have played? While Momoa plays it fairly coy (“I don’t know. It was going to be a villain, I think.”), pure guesswork leads me to believe that, thanks to his physique, he would’ve been a sure thing as Crossbones in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, a part that eventually went to actor Frank Grillo.

Latest Videos From
Watch full video here:

But that’s not Momoa’s only dalliance with the MCU. The actor, who would go on to join the DCEU in 2014, also auditioned alongside Chris Pratt for a mystery role in Guardians of the Galaxy but “that didn’t work out.” I can’t be the only person thinking he went for Drax, can I?

It was another failed audition after the Guardians failure, this time on the DC side of things, that eventually led him down the submerged path to becoming Arthur Curry. Despite heading to a Batman audition, Momoa was adamant he wasn’t right for the role, so went about things in his own unique manner: “So in the meeting, I just played it as if Batman had died in an alley and some thug picked up his suit and put it on. I just played him as a smart ass, jaded and sarcastic. And that’s when Zack was like, ‘I have an idea…’”

You may like
  • Jason Momoa as Lobo in Supergirl character poster Supergirl's Jason Momoa teases Lobo's involvement in future DCU movies, but has crossed paths with Superman before
  • image of Jason Momoa as Aquaman Jason Momoa has exited as the lead of the Helldivers movie
  • Henry Cavill 20 years after losing the role, Henry Cavill is keen to be in James Bond, but not as 007

So, there you have it. Jason Momoa’s come as close as anyone to joining the MCU and that, in a roundabout way, led him into the arms of the DCEU. It’s funny how these things work out, isn’t it?

For more Aquaman, and the rest of the new trailers that are ready to drop across the weekend, keep an eye on our constantly-updating San Diego Comic Con 2018 hub.

Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter

Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
CATEGORIES
Netflix Amazon Prime Video Streaming Services
Bradley Russell
Bradley Russell
Social Links Navigation
Senior Entertainment Writer

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Read more
Jason Momoa as Lobo in Supergirl character poster
DC Movies Supergirl's Jason Momoa teases Lobo's involvement in future DCU movies, but has crossed paths with Superman before
 
 
image of Jason Momoa as Aquaman
Action Movies Jason Momoa has exited as the lead of the Helldivers movie
 
 
Henry Cavill
James Bond Movies 20 years after losing the role, Henry Cavill is keen to be in James Bond, but not as 007
 
 
Anthony Mackie in Captain America: Brave New World
Marvel Movies Marvel fans discuss their wishlists for Captain America 5, and the top choice is “competent writing and dialogue
 
 
Jason Momoa as Duncan Idaho
Action Movies Helldivers movie gets a very promising update as the director teases why Jason Momoa was "the only person" to star
 
 
Chace Crawford as The Deep, Antony Starr as Homelander, and Nathan Mitchell as Black Noir in The Boys.
Superhero Shows The Boys season 5 features a shark voiced by a Marvel legend and it's probably the show's best cameo
 
 
Latest in DC Movies
The Flash
DC Movies Supergirl is tracking to earn less than The Flash in its opening weekend
 
 
Milly Alcock and Matthias Schoenaerts in Supergirl
DC Movies Supergirl first reactions are in, and we weren't expecting so many Mad Max comparisons
 
 
Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen in James Gunn's Superman
DC Movies James Gunn says he pitched the Jimmy Olsen and Gorilla Grodd show to Warner Bros. before he "even started at DC"
 
 
Robert Pattinson in The Batman
DC Movies The Batman 2 cryptic behind-the-scenes image may have confirmed the sequel's villains
 
 
Milly Alcock and Matthias Schoenaerts in Supergirl
DC Movies James Gunn didn't want Supergirl to be too similar to Superman: "Make it distinctive"
 
 
Milly Alcock as Supergirl in Supergirl character poster
DC Movies Supergirl writer says the DCU movie is "completely different" from her DCEU Supergirl script: "Nothing carried over"
 
 
Latest in News
StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty box art.
Real Time Strategy Games Blizzard takes another swing at StarCraft 2's surprise patch, doesn't include the one change fans wanted
 
 
Persona 4 Revival screenshot shows the protagonist and Yosuke singing together.
Persona Persona 4 Revival removes fan-favorite line, leaving fans hoping for a new love interest in shambles
 
 
A screenshot from a Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer clip featuring Spider-Man web-swinging while holding a man
Marvel Movies Spider-Man: Brand New Day has already broken a record before it's even hit theaters
 
 
House of the Dragon
Fantasy Shows House of the Dragon fans are debating one of the show's biggest changes to George R.R. Martin's book
 
 
Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead season 11
Horror Shows After 16 years, Daryl Dixon star Norman Reedus is walking away from The Walking Dead
 
 
The Buttons & Bugs: Pub Crawlers box amidst lichen and a smoking cup
Board Games Gloomhaven RPG spinoff Buttons & Bugs gets its first expansion with new classes and a pub crawl
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. Persona 4 Revival screenshot shows the protagonist and Yosuke singing together.
    1
    Persona 4 Revival removes fan-favorite line, leaving fans hoping for a certain new love interest in shambles: "We definitely aren't getting that romance"
  2. 2
    Outer Worlds 2 and Avowed studio Obsidian facing class action lawsuit over allegations of a "systematic pattern of wage and hour violations," which it denies
  3. 3
    StarCraft 2 devs take another swing at getting the RTS game's surprise new update right, but Blizzard still hasn't rolled back the one change fans most want undone
  4. 4
    I've been playing Steam Next Fest demos for over 5 years, and here are the 12 demos you shouldn't miss during the June event
  5. 5
    How to find the Forza Horizon 6 Evolving World Car Meet

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...