Not every comic book character is done justice in their first film adaptation. While villains like Magneto, Thanos, Loki, and Baron Zemo can boast pitch-perfect portrayals on the big screen, other enduring Marvel antagonists haven’t been so fortunate.
For a perfect example of this, look no further than En Sabah Nur, better known as Apocalypse. In the comics, he’s one of the X-Men’s most iconic enemies — an immortal, nigh-unstoppable tyrant from ancient Egypt, who’s bent on creating a world where the strong rule over the weak. Yet despite having the phenomenally talented Oscar Isaac cast in the role, Apocalypse’s film debut in 2016’s aptly named X-Men: Apocalypse ended up as a major disappointment to fans and critics alike.
However, now that the X-Men are on their way to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Apocalypse has a perfect opportunity to get the live-action adaptation he deserves, even though it’s sure to be several years before we get close to seeing him again. And while it’d be nice to see Oscar Isaac get a second shot at the role, he’s busy playing another Egyptian-themed Marvel character in the form of Moon Knight. So with him occupied, here are five other actors who could fill Apocalypse’s massive metal shoes — most likely with the aid of CGI.
Giancarlo Esposito
There are few actors alive who can play a villain quite like Giancarlo Esposito. Originally rising to stardom with his unforgettable turn as the ruthless Gus Fring in Breaking Bad, Esposito has stayed in the pop culture spotlight in recent years with his roles as Moff Gideon in The Mandalorian and Stan Edgar in The Boys. However, it doesn’t stop there — he’s played bad guys in everything from Harley Quinn to Far Cry 6 to DuckTales. In other words, he’s got plenty of experience portraying larger-than-life antagonists.
Plus, with Apocalypse likely to be depicted on screen using CGI in the same vein as other giant-sized characters like Thanos, the Hulk, and Colossus, he needs to be portrayed by an actor with a distinct, imposing voice. Esposito certainly fits that bill, and he has the voice acting credits to prove it. Apocalypse needs to feel like the kind of character who could stare down gods without blinking — a terrifying, unstoppable force of nature who commands absolute authority. You’d have a hard time finding an actor who can capture that vibe better than Giancarlo Esposito. Even if he doesn't fill the role of Apocalypse, there are some unconfirmed rumblings that Esposito could be in the running to play Professor X.
Laurence Fishburne
Speaking of authoritative presences, it’s hard to find an actor more commanding than Laurence Fishburne. Most famous for his role as Morpheus in The Matrix, Fishburne’s credits range from Othello and Apocalypse Now to John Wick and Mission Impossible. He also has plenty of experience in comic book adaptations — perhaps a bit too much. Aside from his recurring role as Perry White in the DC Universe, Fishburne has already appeared once in the MCU as Bill Foster in Ant-Man and the Wasp.
Of course, that alone wouldn’t be an issue. Plenty of actors have already pulled double duty in the MCU, and as previously stated, Apocalypse would likely be CGI anyway. However, Fishburne’s Marvel history goes even deeper than that — he was also the voice of the Silver Surfer in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. He’s even been cast as the Beyonder, a major Marvel Comics villain, in the upcoming Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur cartoon on Disney Channel. Yet despite having so many comic book roles under his belt already, Fishburne is a lifelong comic book fan, so he could very well jump at the chance to bring another beloved Marvel villain to life.
Oded Fehr
Movie fans will likely recognize Oded Fehr from his role as Ardeth Bay in The Mummy — another fantasy story featuring an immortal Egyptian villain. Since then, he’s had recurring roles in Charmed, Covert Affairs, and most recently Star Trek: Discovery. However, Fehr also has plenty of experience lending his voice to comic book characters. He’s portrayed Doctor Fate in the Justice League cartoon, Equinox in Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Ra’s Al Ghul inYoung Justice, and N’Kantu the Living Mummy in Ultimate Spider-Man. As such, it’s easy to imagine him stepping into the role of En Sabah Nur.
Keith David
When discussing actors with distinct, authoritative voices, it’s impossible to avoid bringing up Keith David. David has led a long and prolific voice acting career, including such famous roles as the Arbiter in Halo, Captain Anderson in Mass Effect, and the titular anti-hero in the Spawn animated series. Plus, he already has plenty of experience with Disney-owned projects, from Gargoyles to The Princess and the Frog to Amphibia. Keith David is a talented performer with incredible range, immense charisma, and a voice that’s the stuff of legends. Anyone who knows his work can attest that Apocalypse is practically the role he was born to play.
Rami Malek
Closing out this list with a rather unorthodox choice, Rami Malek is hardly the kind of actor who you’d picture when thinking of Apocalypse. He may be of Egyptian descent, but he’s much younger than the other actors on this list, and not exactly known for his imposing presence either. However, he’s received many an accolade for his roles in Mr. Robot and Bohemian Rhapsody, proving his prowess as an actor. And as the big bad of the latest James Bond movie, No Time To Die, Malek showed he has what it takes to play a truly chilling villain. Granted, his creepy, soft-spoken performance in that film is a far cry from the bombastic, larger-than-life Apocalypse from the comics. Even so, for those seeking a less traditional portrayal of the villain, Rami Malek’s name is worth bringing up.