Marvel is quite possibly the most famous cinematic universes of all time, with worldwide box-office revenue of $22.56 billion! That's a lot of mula! From Iron Man to Black Panther, these movies hold a special place in many people's hearts, but there are plenty of things that go on behind the scenes that even the biggest fans didn't know about. Unfortunately, most actors have to sign contracts that force them to secrecy, but as many actors have since left the franchise they're finally opening up about what really goes on behind the scenes. Prepare yourself because some of the news is pretty shocking!
1. Shooting Through The Pain
As one of the original Avengers, Jeremy Renner, who played Hawkeye, had a lot of challenges throughout filming. The sharpshooting hero faced the most challenging scenes during Avengers: Endgame after fracturing both of his arms while filming a separate movie.
Despite two fractured arms, Hawkeye needs both of them to shoot his bow and arrow, so Renner had to fight through the pain. Next time you watch Endgame, remember that Hawkeye is in actual pain while fighting the bad guys.
2. T'Challa's Costume Was Skin Tight
Chadwick Boseman was never one to complain and silently battled cancer while filming Black Panther. He chose not to tell anyone about his diagnosis because he felt it wouldn't affect him during filming. Besides this private struggle, Boseman had another challenge while filming the first Black Panther movie.
According to an interview with the late star, the bodysuit was skintight and barely allowed him to breathe. Everyone always imagines what those costumes would feel like, and now we know. You would think they could get comfortable costumes with their massive budgets.
3. Strict Diets For Chris Pratt
Like most of his co-stars, Chris Pratt had to be in tip-top shape for Guardians of the Galaxy and all the films to follow. After Parks and Rec, Pratt had more of a teddy bear physique than an action hero; however, producers loved his personality, so they gave him the role but told him to lose weight.
Marvel wasn't going to make Pratt do this on his own, so they hired a nutritionist and trainer to help him lose 60 lbs. Pratt had to cut out beer, and he did intensive workouts. If you watched him as Andy on Parks and Rec, you might be surprised to see him with a ripped body.
4. Jeff Bridges Couldn't Remember His Lines
Jeff Bridges is a Hollywood legend who played the villain in the first Iron Man. Since he is a veteran in the industry, people assume he has no trouble remembering his lines, but that was not the case on set. Bridges admitted that he needs to have his script on set to look over it before scenes.
When they were filming Iron Man, there was no script, and Bridges freaked out. He was nervous because he wanted to go over his script before filming, and the directors had to feed him some of the lines. Even the most successful actors get nervous and forget their lines.
5. Chris Evans Took A Pay Cut
As Captain America, Chris Evans was one of the main Avenger characters, so people would assume he got paid the highest. He had three movies just about his character, but Marvel only paid him a fraction of what he deserved for the first movie.
Despite raking in millions of dollars for each movie, Marvel only paid Evans $300,000 for Captain America: The First Avenger. Evans demanded more money for the next films, rightfully so, and got $15 million per film. He wasn't new in Hollywood, so we don't know why they gave him so little.
6. No CGI For Drax's Makeup
The costumes, makeup, and special effects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe are top-notch, but that doesn't mean everything is comfortable for the actors. Dave Batista plays Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy, and he has unique blue skin with red marks all over his body, but this wasn't CGI.
Drax's makeup took approximately five hours each time they put it on and one hour to take off. Batista always felt itchy and sticky, and it was uncomfortable even after he took the costume off. However, when Marvel asks you to do something, you should probably suck it up and do it.
7. Scarlett Hid Her Pregnancy
Scarlett Johansson's character, Black Widow, is known for her flips, tricks, and action-packed scenes. However, during the filming of Iron Man: Age of Ultron, there were some challenges for Johansson because she was pregnant. It's probably hard to be an assassin with a baby on board.
Although she would have preferred to relax during her pregnancy, duty calls and Johansson got help from the MCU team. With the use of CGI and smart camera work, they covered up her pregnancy, and fans never knew the difference.
8. The Right Vision Took Hours To Perfect
Like many of his co-stars, Paul Bettany, who played Vision, had to sit in the makeup chair for many hours at a time. The producers wanted the costume to be perfect, so Bettany sat through three and a half hours of skin manipulation and painting each time he filmed.
If you have ever worn face paint for more than a few hours, you can only imagine how uncomfortable this must have been for him. However, Bettany said it was worth the discomfort because of how much he was being paid. That's one way to see the glass half full.
9. Loki's Helmet Was Just As Painful As It Looked
The costumes for each character were carefully picked to resemble the comic book depiction and modernize them for the screen. For Loki's crown-like helmet, Tom Hiddleston had to wear this extremely heavy headpiece that covered his ears, and he could barely hear things when he had it on.
With the enormous budget these marvel films have, you would think they could make things more comfortable for the actors, but that is not their top concern, apparently. Although, Hiddleston said he was so excited to be Loki that he didn't care how uncomfortable the headpiece was.
10. Strict Family-Friendly Content
Since Marvel was bought by Disney, the movies have to follow strict guidelines to keep it family-friendly. Although most of the films are based on dangerous scenes, violence, and crime, they do a good job maintaining the PG-13 image. There are some creative sacrifices that have to be made to keep up this image.
If you read the comic books, you will know that Agent Nick Furry is usually seen smoking a cigar. However, that does not go along with the image Disney promotes, so Samuel L. Jackson was not allowed to smoke, but that's not the most distinctive character detail anyway.
11. Brie Larson Had To Push A Jeep
Brie Larson might not have been the most anticipated Marvel character, and Captain Marvel was one of the lowest-rated MCU movies, but that didn't stop her from putting in the work. To become Captain Marvel, Larson had to endure tough conditioning and maintain a strong physique.
One of the craziest training tasks Larson had was pushing a Jeep! She is definitely in superhero shape. The actors sometimes have to be on strict diets as part of their contracts, and the franchise can control what they eat. Imagine eating only boiled chicken and dried oats - that sounds awful.
12. Action Heroes Have To Keep A Wholesome Image Too
Besides their strict training programs and diets, Marvel actors also have to keep up a wholesome image. Not only do the movies have to remain family-friendly, but off-screen, the actors must behave a certain way and stay out of trouble.
Even if they weren't filming, Marvel actors have many rules for their lives because of the contracts they have committed to. They have to contribute to causes picked by Marvel to show they are good people which, as noble as that sounds, must add a lot of pressure when you are just trying to live your life.
13. No Spoilers, Or Else...
The storyline for each MCU movie is always a massive secret. The producers take every precaution to prevent spoilers, and sometimes the characters don't know what is happening until they get to set. Because of social media and the many press tours, it is hard to keep all the secrets contained.
When the actors get their scripts, they have to read them alone in a windowless room, which isn't even the most intense procedure. For Avengers: Infinity War, the producers pulled the actors into a van to tell them what would happen. It seems a bit extreme, but the movies are always a huge surprise.
14. Don't Mention DC Under Any Circumstance
It only makes sense that Marvel actors couldn't appear in DC movies because they are their biggest competitors. Everyone knows Marvel has the better ensemble, but DC puts up a good fight with their list of classic superheroes and villains.
For Marvel or DC actors, whoever you get hired by is the side you are essentially picking. You won't see Robert Downey Jr. or Chris Hemsworth at a DC movie premier because it would confuse fans. The same thing goes for DC characters because the sides can't mix.
15. No Creative Control
When actors sign their MCU contracts, they essentially give up all creative control. While most actors aren't writing scripts or directing their movies outside of the MCU, there are, of course, a few extra freedoms they give up when agreeing to this.
In some instances, the actors have adlibbed to create some of the funniest and most iconic scenes in the Marvel movies. However, when they walk on set, everything is thoroughly planned down to each minute detail. While they don't have creative control of the scene, Marvel actors can sometimes work in their own spin.
16. They Can't Do Their Own Stunts
When actors sign up for the movies, they sign a big contract that states they cannot perform their own dangerous stunts. What's wrong with safety, you might ask? Although it doesn't sound like a big deal, the actors see it very differently.
Actors take pride when they can do their own stunts and don't like being benched to watch someone else perform their big scene. Even if the actor can physically do the stunt, Marvel doesn't want to take any chances with their actors for future movies, so stunt doubles are always on set.
17. Press Tours Are Half Of The Job
Signing on to be part of the MCU is a huge commitment, as you have already seen. During the films' release, the actors must participate in press tours because they need to get the word out about the film and show up for the fans. They also have to do it as part of their contractual obligations.
The MCU is such a large franchise, so the producers know that fans want every behind-the-scenes story they can get. The press tours give an inside look at things they might not know just from watching. It is tedious, but the actors put a smile on and do them.
18. They Have To Be Ready For Anything On Tour
When it comes to the press tours, the actors have to do so much more than sit down for interviews. When merchandisers sell MCU superhero products like action figures or apparel, they have better opportunities to promote their products because of the Marvel contract.
The actors have to be available for the merchandisers while on tour. Whether it is holding up an action figure or posing in the apparel, they are obligated to do what the merchandiser needs, no matter how humiliating it might seem.
19. "No" Is Not In Their Vocabulary
We previously mentioned press tours and merchandising, but there are other things that the Marvel actors have to take part in. Whatever the appearance may be, they cannot turn it down as part of their contracts. It's the downside to signing on to this massive franchise.
Usually, movie contracts give the actors some flexibility, but not when it comes to Marvel. These actors are locked into the contract, but this is something they think about before signing. However, when it comes to their obligations, they don't have a choice to skip them.
20. A Lot To Consider Before Signing The Contract
There are plenty of things to consider when actors think about joining the MCU. Between all the obligations and demands, it is a lot to ask for, but it is usually worth it because they make so much money. Besides the downsides we mentioned, there is something that could affect the rest of their careers.
When they get the part of these iconic superheroes, it is hard to do any other project because fans only see them as their Marvel character. It is hard to imagine Elizabeth Olsen or Robert Downey Jr. in roles besides their heroes. Although they are guaranteed fame, it can still be a turn-off for some stars.
21. Everyone Knows Your Name
Depending on how you look at it, there is a significant upside to starring in a Marvel film; the actors are pretty much guaranteed fame. After one of the movies is released, they can't go anywhere without having to sign autographs, take pictures, or get mobbed by fans.
This is normal for any famous person these days, but they have to worry about maintaining their Disney image, so they almost can't say no to a picture or autograph. It is probably hard to seem like you are always in a good mood and never having a bad day when they are humans, just like us.
22. Temporarily Changing Their Appearances
Karen Gillan played Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy, and her makeup was the most complicated out of all the characters. Before she signed for the role, the producers warned her that she would have to shave her head. The opportunity was too exciting, so Gillan committed and shaved her luscious red locks.
We don't know if we would ever be brave enough to shave our heads, but Gillan said it was liberating. She also said that men don't hold the door open for her as often since she shaved it, but she is Nebula, and she doesn't need a man to help her.
23. Gwyneth Quits Acting
Apparently, being in the spotlight isn't all it's cracked up to be. No matter what you see on social media, there is so much more going on behind the screen. Despite the huge paychecks and millions of loving fans, this wasn't enough to keep Gwyneth Paltrow interested in acting.
Although she might be one of the most famous women in Hollywood, Paltrow decided to quit acting because it wasn't fun anymore. She appeared in the Avengers: Endgame to reprise her role as Pepper Potts, but we don't know if she will be in any future movies.
24. Not A Fan Of Brie
Like Marvel fans, not everyone was a big fan of Brie Larson when she joined the MCU. When they announced that she would play Captain Marvel, rumors began to swirl that the other actors weren't happy that she was now the new face of the franchise.
In particular, Elizabeth Olsen was called out in the tabloids for being particularly unhappy, considering she had been in the franchise for longer and only had a few lines in Endgame. As one of the fan favorites, we would also be upset that this actress waltzes in, does a lousy job, and still becomes the MCU poster child.
25. Idris Elba Was Not Happy With His Role
Idris Elba has been a successful actor in Hollywood for a while now, and fans were more than excited to hear that he was joining the Marvel universe. However, Elba didn't exactly share their excitement because he wasn't a huge fan of his character, Heimdall.
Elba said it was like torture playing this character that lacked depth. That seems a little harsh considering how much he probably got paid to play this role. If he didn't like the character, he could have turned down the part, but it was his choice to participate.
26. Jeremy Renner Can't Be Tamed
Jeremy Renner has had to deal with a lot while filming the Avengers movies. We talked about his two broken arms during the filming of Endgame, but there was something else that made Renner want to be killed off in the first Avengers. What could have bothered him that much?
In the first movie, Hawkeye is brainwashed by Loki to do his dirty work against the Avengers. Renner said that is not what he signed up for and asked the producers to kill his character. Since the actors can't make those decisions, his request was denied, but he did get a lot of screen time as himself throughout the rest of the movies.
27. Swapping Out Actors
Even the biggest Marvel fans might have forgotten that Terrence Howard originally played Colonel Rhodes in Iron Man. In the following movies, Howard was replaced by Don Cheadle. This is a rare situation because Marvel never replaces characters, but Howard had an idea of why he was fired.
Howard blames Robert Downey Jr. because Iron Man was such a big success. Therefore, RDJ wanted more money, and they had less to give to Howard. Since he disagreed with his salary, Marvel replaced him. It must be hard to see the franchise's success, knowing it could have been him on the screen.
28. Chris Evans Almost Quit Acting
While most people would kill for this role, being Captain America isn't the dream everyone imagines. Although this is the role that Chris Evans is most known for, he wasn't happily playing the superhero. You might think we are bluffing, but it's the truth.
Evans signed on to play Captain America in 2010, but by 2014, he was thinking about not just quitting the franchise but acting altogether. It's possible that all those crazy demands finally got to him, and he was feeling burnt out. Can you imagine Marvel without Captain America?
29. Hugo Weaving Had Enough Of The Red
Marvel chose Hugo Weaving to play Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger, but it seems that he wasn't 100 percent on board for the role. Like other actors in the MCU, Weaving had to sit through hours of makeup to achieve this red look, and he was not happy.
After his appearance in the first Captain America, he decided to leave the franchise. In Infinity War and Endgame, Red Skull made an appearance, but they replaced Weaving because he didn't want to put the red makeup on again.
30. Danai's Name Wasn't On The Poster
Danai Gurira got her big break when she appeared in Black Panther as Okoye. She was the bad a** warrior who appeared again in Infinity War and Endgame, but she was snubbed when her name didn't appear on the last movie poster.
Although her picture was on the poster, it seems like they ran out of space to fit Gurira's name. The fans were unhappy about it, but she took it like a mature adult because there was nothing she could do to change this.
31. Natalie Portman Wanted A Different Director
Natalie Portman played Thor's love interest, Jane Foster, in the first two Thor films; however, she almost didn't appear in the second film. Her initial plan was to take a few years away from acting and the spotlight to raise her son, but she reconsidered when she heard who the director was.
Patty Jenkins directed Thor: The Dark World and Portman wanted to be part of the first superhero film directed by a woman. After Portman signed her contract, they fired Jenkins, and Portman couldn't quit because she was already bound by the agreement.
32. Brie Needs To Settle Down
When Brie Larson joined MCU, fans were not 100 percent thrilled, but she was the new face of the franchise. She took the role of Captain Marvel because she wanted to be a role model for young women and decided to use this new platform to speak out about many topics.
Larson said that there wasn't enough diversity in film critics, probably because they didn't like Captain Marvel. Many people didn't like how she was so opinionated, and she received a lot of backlash. It must have been hard to hear all this hate right after joining the franchise.
33. Idris Elba Wanted To Have A Life
Even though many people loved him in Thor, Idris Elba was not a fan of this role. We might have an inkling why he hated this character so much, and it doesn't entirely have to do with the part; it is probably because he didn't realize how strict the contract was.
While Elba was DJ-ing in Ibiza, he was called to make an appearance in Iron Man: Age of Ultron. Elba was annoyed and unhappy because he had to leave the festival and report to the film set. Unfortunately, he had no choice because of the contract he signed.
34. Tom Holland Didn't Get A Real Costume
While all of his co-stars were decked out from head to toe in makeup and accessories, Tom Holland had to wear a CGI suit. He felt a little left out because he didn't get to feel like the superhero that was portrayed on screen.
Although he didn't get the full effect of being a superhero, Holland still pulled off the role and made people fall in love with the modern version of Spiderman. Even though his costume was just a bunch of symbols and a nametag, post-production made it look so much cooler.
35. The Training Pays Off
Many actors have had to follow strict diets and exercise regimens to prepare for particular roles, and most of the time, it pays off. There is a good reason why Marvel actors have to work out daily because the movies are filled with action scenes that they need to be in shape for.
Although they can't perform dangerous stunts, they still have to run through the streets and keep their energy throughout the film. If they can do these smaller stunts and action scenes, it is easier for the camera people because they don't have to play with the angles as much.
36. Keeping The Costumes Intact At All Costs
While we see these superheroes in crazy situations on screen, there is a lot that fans don't see behind the scenes. Many of the elaborate costumes are uncomfortable for the actors, but they have to stay on and intact to get the right shot. The crew will go to any length to keep the costume from falling off.
For Benedict Cumberbatch's Dr. Strange costume, he had to be drilled into it. Every part of the costume has to be perfect, so it can't be falling apart because they would ruin the scene. Cumberbatch looks a little frightened, having a drill that close to his body.
37. Say Goodbye To Comfort
Marvel actors can forget about comfort because their costumes are far from a plush sweatsuit. Even if they don't get to wear a cool super suit, they can still struggle with the CGI outfits like the one Mark Ruffalo had to wear. He plays the Hulk, who is fully CGI and much larger than the other characters.
Ruffalo had to wear a pole with a tennis ball attached to the top so the other actors would know where Hulk's head would be. This way they would know where to look to speak to Hulk. It's probably challenging to act while you have a pole attached to you.
38. Working With Prosthetics
Spoiler Alert! At the end of Endgame, Captain America has to look his real age after taking advantage of time travel to see his long lost love. Chris Evans said it was extremely uncomfortable to have all the prosthetics stuck to his face, but this was just for the last few scenes.
Evans shouldn't be complaining, considering some of his co-stars had to wear prosthetics each time they appeared on screen. Every actor must be prepared to commit to the character even if they don't know what their fate will be.
39. Marketing The Movies Is Also The Actor's Job
Marketing the movies is another part of the actor's job for Marvel. If they are not filming, they are doing interviews or meeting fans, and it is a lot of work. Fans also love when they see the actors in parts of their costumes, which helps the success of the films.
Although it is a never-ending job, it can be very rewarding. Jaimie Alexander, who plays Lady Sif in Thor, visited a children's hospital in her costume to cheer up some fans who couldn't make it to the movie theater. She definitely brought smiles to some children who needed it.
40. Long-Term Commitment
When actors sign on to the MCU, they are signing on for the long-term because it is nearly impossible to quickly get out of this commitment. Even if the actors aren't sure where their character's story will go in the franchise, they still have to stay committed to their contract.
We have seen many characters die throughout the franchise, but many characters have more movies in the works. Some actors know how their character's story ends, and others are excited to continue the journey and see where it takes them.
41. Watch What You Say
The actors have to be very careful about what they say in interviews because they have a specific image to uphold. Jeremy Renner and Chris Evans had a slip-up when asked about Scarlett Johansson's character, Black Widow. They called the character some promiscuous names, and people didn't take it lightly.
Although they were joking around, people accused Renner and Evans of being sexist and misogynistic. Both of them issued apologies, but Johansson had already seen the interview all over the internet, and they apologized to her privately.
42. Mark Ruffalo Has Loose Lips
Mark Ruffalo is known for saying things he shouldn't like when he told people spoiler alerts for Avengers: Infinity War. This did not sit well with the producers or directors, and he was in a lot of trouble for slipping secrets.
The Russo Brothers jokingly fired him for giving away spoilers, but everyone knows that is not true. Although he got to keep his job, it was probably awkward to get called into their office to be reprimanded for the number one rule they are not supposed to break.
43. Being Judged For Fashion Choices
Because Marvel is such a massive franchise, the actors are judged for everything they do and wear. Even if they are just going for a morning run, the paparazzi will find them and post pictures of how they look. It is even worse when they hit the red carpet in something questionable.
While some actors struggle with their outfits, others embrace this part of the job and enjoy experimenting with their style. Vin Diesel, who played Groot, wore a jacket inspired by his character for the Endgame premiere.
44. They Never Know What The Future Holds
Since the plotlines are kept a secret until the actors receive their scripts, they never know what the future holds for their character. They could find out that their character doesn't make it to the next movie while reading the script or that they barely have any lines.
These actors work so hard to keep up with their contracts, so it is disappointing to find out they have only a few minutes of screen-time. It must also be nerve-racking never to know if you will have a job for the next movie.
45. Plenty Of Perks
Although there are many rules, restrictions, and obligations, that doesn't mean that there aren't perks to working with Marvel. There are plenty of positive vibes behind the scenes as the cast has become a family throughout the years. For example, RDJ funded meals for the cast and crew to enjoy between scenes.
He took this photo from the dinner he threw for the female characters. It is another way for the cast to bond and create lasting working relationships. They seem like they know how to have a good time even when the cameras aren't rolling.