Colman Domingo a celebrated actor with back-to-back Oscar nominations has voiced his aspiration to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe in live-action specifically as Norman Osborn. This revelation follows prior discussions about Domingo potentially replacing Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror a role he ultimately declined interest in.
Domingo known for his roles in Euphoria and Rustin recently spoke on the Happy Sad Confused podcast about his interactions with Marvel Studios. He clarified the rumors that suggested him as a possible Kang replacement after Marvel severed ties with Jonathan Majors. Majors was originally intended to be a major villain in the MCU but was dropped following legal issues. Speculation arose that Marvel considered Domingo to salvage the Kang storyline.
Domingo told host Josh Horowitz. “When it was constantly in the press and on places like Twitter I was like ‘Wait a minute. Is this true? Am I being talked about for Kang?’” He further added “I literally called up my team and said ‘Are you guys having conversations that I have no idea about?’ And they said no. ‘Are you guys being cagey or what?’ They weren’t.”
Despite the Kang rumors not materializing into a concrete offer Domingo confirmed he did engage in talks with Marvel about a potential collaboration. “There had been conversations of me coming into Marvel in some way so we did follow-up with a sit-down meeting with the heads of Marvel. I did do that” Domingo stated. “We talked openly about the landscape of Marvel and the Kang rumors. I am all about energy. I want to do things that make sense and bring gentle energy. I want a role to be mine whatever I develop. Something didn’t feel right to me about replacing someone. I want to build something from the ground up that is my own.”
While replacing Kang was not appealing to Domingo he expressed enthusiasm for a different Marvel character Norman Osborn. He currently voices Norman Osborn in the animated series Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man where his character initially serves as a mentor to Peter Parker before an anticipated transformation into the Green Goblin.
Domingo conveyed his desire to portray Osborn in live-action stating “It’s cool but I do want to get the live-action out too. Wouldn’t that be kind of cool? I would love to tear that up on the big screen.” He confirmed that the animated series will explore Osborn's evolution into the Green Goblin across upcoming seasons.
What Colman Domingo's Norman Osborn Interest Means For The MCU
Norman Osborn Could Be A Fresh Villainous Presence In Future Marvel Projects
Colman Domingo's open interest in playing Norman Osborn presents an intriguing possibility for the MCU. While Norman Osborn has been a significant antagonist in past Spider-Man films notably in Sam Raimi's trilogy and recently in Spider-Man: No Way Home the MCU could explore a new iteration of the character. With Marvel shifting focus from Kang to Doctor Doom as the next major villain incorporating Norman Osborn could provide a more grounded and Spider-Man focused threat.
Given Domingo's acting talent and his desire to create a role from the ground up his portrayal of Norman Osborn could bring a distinct and compelling dimension to the character. His established voice work as Osborn in animation provides a foundation and his enthusiasm suggests a dedicated performance. However the integration of Osborn into the current MCU narrative remains uncertain especially with Spider-Man 4 in development and the direction of its villain landscape unclear.
Our Take On Colman Domingo As Norman Osborn
Domingo As Norman Osborn Is A Compelling Casting Choice Worth Exploring
Colman Domingo embodying Norman Osborn in live-action is a prospect worth serious consideration for Marvel Studios. His acting ability is undeniable demonstrated by his Oscar nominations and acclaimed performances. His vision for wanting to build a character from scratch aligns with creating a definitive MCU version of Norman Osborn separate from previous film portrayals.
While the MCU is currently navigating changes in its overarching villain narrative Domingo's Norman Osborn could be a valuable addition. He could potentially feature in future Spider-Man installments or even branch out into other corners of the MCU. The challenge lies in finding a narrative fit for Osborn given his past prominence in Spider-Man films and the need to differentiate this MCU iteration. Regardless securing an actor of Domingo's caliber for such a role would be a strategic move for Marvel and potentially excite fans eager for a fresh and powerful Norman Osborn on screen.