15 Actors Perfect for the Role of Hyperion in the MCU
Hyperion—most famously Mark Milton of the Squadron Supreme—has appeared in multiple Marvel Comics continuities as a near-invulnerable powerhouse with flight, atomic vision, and a moral code that shifts with each universe’s history. Different versions range from altruistic defender to authoritarian enforcer, and supporting casts often include fellow Squadron members like Nighthawk and Power Princess, with storylines touching everything from cosmic showdowns to alternate-Earth politics.
Because the character has been reimagined so many times, there’s latitude for Marvel Studios to lean into either bright-day heroics or darker, ‘Supreme Power’-style deconstruction. That flexibility opens the door to a wide range of leads who already anchor major franchises or prestige TV, carry action cred, and have worked with top directors and writers across genres.
Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill played Clark Kent in ‘Man of Steel’ for director Zack Snyder and later appeared as August Walker in ‘Mission: Impossible – Fallout’ under Christopher McQuarrie, joining a cast led by Tom Cruise, Rebecca Ferguson, and Angela Bassett. He also headlined ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.’ from director Guy Ritchie and co-starred in ‘Enola Holmes’ directed by Harry Bradbeer.
On television, Cavill portrayed Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s ‘The Witcher,’ adapted by showrunner Lauren Schmidt Hissrich from Andrzej Sapkowski’s books, with subsequent seasons transitioning the role to Liam Hemsworth. The series expanded with an animated film and a live-action prequel miniseries.
Alan Ritchson
Alan Ritchson leads Prime Video’s ‘Reacher,’ developed by Nick Santora from Lee Child’s novels, after earlier TV work that includes ‘Blue Mountain State’ created by Chris Romano and Eric Falconer. On the film side, he joined the ensemble of ‘Fast X,’ directed by Louis Leterrier, part of Universal’s long-running action franchise.
Ritchson’s recent big-screen credits also include working with director Guy Ritchie on ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ and continuing ‘Reacher’ across multiple seasons, with the series emphasizing grounded stunt work and procedural plotting rooted in Child’s books.
Alexander Skarsgård
Alexander Skarsgård starred in Robert Eggers’ ‘The Northman,’ an epic revenge saga co-starring Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicole Kidman, and played the title role in ‘The Legend of Tarzan’ directed by David Yates. His earlier TV run includes major parts in ‘Big Little Lies’ from creator David E. Kelley and ‘True Blood’ from creator Alan Ball.
He also appeared in ‘Succession,’ created by Jesse Armstrong, joining the ensemble as tech mogul Lukas Matsson during the show’s corporate chess matches. The series is noted for its writers’ room led by Armstrong and direction by filmmakers like Mark Mylod.
Antony Starr
Antony Starr plays John/Homelander in Prime Video’s ‘The Boys,’ developed by Eric Kripke and based on the comic by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson, opposite a cast that includes Karl Urban, Erin Moriarty, and Jack Quaid. He previously headlined ‘Banshee,’ created by Jonathan Tropper and David Schickler, as an ex-con assuming a sheriff’s identity.
Starr’s film credits include ‘Cocaine Bear’ directed by Elizabeth Banks and appearances alongside genre ensembles; upcoming work includes the political action thriller ‘G20’ with Viola Davis.
Glen Powell
Glen Powell flew into the spotlight with ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ directed by Joseph Kosinski, acting with Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, and Jennifer Connelly, and followed with Korean War naval-aviation drama ‘Devotion’ directed by J. D. Dillard. He teamed with Richard Linklater on ‘Hit Man’ and starred in romantic comedy ‘Anyone But You’ for director Will Gluck.
Powell also appeared in ‘Hidden Figures’ directed by Theodore Melfi, which chronicled NASA mathematicians Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson, with performances by Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe.
Sam Heughan
Sam Heughan stars as Jamie Fraser in Starz’s ‘Outlander,’ adapted by Ronald D. Moore from Diana Gabaldon’s novels, alongside Caitríona Balfe and a recurring ensemble across time-spanning historical arcs. Heughan’s feature work includes ‘Bloodshot’ directed by David S. F. Wilson, based on Valiant Comics, opposite Vin Diesel and Eiza González.
He also co-starred in action-comedy ‘The Spy Who Dumped Me’ from director Susanna Fogel, with leads Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon, blending espionage plotting with European set pieces and ensemble support from Justin Theroux and Gillian Anderson.
Dan Stevens
Dan Stevens headlined FX’s ‘Legion,’ created by Noah Hawley from the Marvel character David Haller, collaborating with a cast including Aubrey Plaza and Rachel Keller in a genre-bending psychological narrative. His film work features Disney’s live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ from director Bill Condon.
He also appeared in ‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ directed by Adam Wingard and in Wingard’s thriller ‘The Guest,’ scripted by Simon Barrett, showcasing his range across blockbuster spectacle and tightly wound suspense.
Taron Egerton
Taron Egerton broke out with ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ directed by Matthew Vaughn, starring opposite Colin Firth, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Caine, adapted by Jane Goldman and Vaughn from the Millarworld comic. He later portrayed Elton John in ‘Rocketman’ directed by Dexter Fletcher, written by Lee Hall, alongside Jamie Bell and Bryce Dallas Howard.
On the small screen, Egerton starred in Apple TV+ true-crime limited series ‘Black Bird,’ created by Dennis Lehane, and also led biographical sports film ‘Eddie the Eagle’ directed by Dexter Fletcher with supporting turns from Hugh Jackman and Christopher Walken.
Luke Evans
Luke Evans portrayed Bard the Bowman across ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy directed by Peter Jackson with a writing team including Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, appearing alongside Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, and Evangeline Lilly. He entered Universal’s car-heist saga in ‘Fast & Furious 6’ directed by Justin Lin as antagonist Owen Shaw.
Evans later played Gaston in Disney’s live-action ‘Beauty and the Beast’ directed by Bill Condon and co-starred in period crime series ‘The Alienist,’ based on Caleb Carr’s novel and developed for television with a cast led by Daniel Brühl and Dakota Fanning.
David Corenswet
David Corenswet’s television work includes ‘The Politician,’ from creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, featuring an ensemble that includes Ben Platt and Gwyneth Paltrow. He also co-starred in HBO’s ‘We Own This City,’ created by David Simon and George Pelecanos, dramatizing the fallout from corruption within the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force.
On film, Corenswet appeared in Ti West’s ‘Pearl’ with Mia Goth, part of the director’s interconnected slasher cycle, and has stage and indie credits that complement his streaming and studio projects.
Charlie Hunnam
Charlie Hunnam led FX’s ‘Sons of Anarchy,’ created by Kurt Sutter, as Jax Teller in a sprawling crime family drama featuring Katey Sagal and Ron Perlman. He teamed with director Guillermo del Toro on the kaiju-mecha blockbuster ‘Pacific Rim,’ and with director Guy Ritchie on ‘King Arthur: Legend of the Sword’ and ensemble caper ‘The Gentlemen.’
Hunnam also headlined Apple TV+ drama ‘Shantaram,’ adapted for television by Eric Warren Singer and Steve Lightfoot from Gregory David Roberts’ novel, adding to a résumé that spans major studios and prestige cable.
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau played Jaime Lannister in HBO’s ‘Game of Thrones,’ created by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss from George R. R. Martin’s novels, earning multiple award nominations during the series’ run. His international film work includes ‘Headhunters’ directed by Morten Tyldum.
He has also toplined crime drama ‘Shot Caller’ from writer-director Ric Roman Waugh, co-wrote and starred in survival drama ‘Against the Ice’ directed by Peter Flinth, and appeared in Joseph Kosinski’s science-fiction film ‘Oblivion.’
Travis Fimmel
Travis Fimmel is known for ‘Vikings,’ created by Michael Hirst, where he portrayed Ragnar Lothbrok alongside Katheryn Winnick and Clive Standen. He later starred in science-fiction series ‘Raised by Wolves,’ created by Aaron Guzikowski with executive producer Ridley Scott.
On film, Fimmel played Anduin Lothar in ‘Warcraft’ directed by Duncan Jones and has continued to split time between television and features while adding producer credits and directing work to his portfolio.
Matt Bomer
Matt Bomer fronted USA Network’s ‘White Collar,’ created by Jeff Eastin, opposite Tim DeKay and Tiffani Thiessen, and later starred in HBO’s adaptation of Larry Kramer’s ‘The Normal Heart,’ directed by Ryan Murphy and featuring Mark Ruffalo and Julia Roberts.
His film credits include ensemble drama ‘Magic Mike’ directed by Steven Soderbergh and the Showtime limited series ‘Fellow Travelers,’ created by Ron Nyswaner and co-starring Jonathan Bailey, which spans decades of political and personal history.
Jensen Ackles
Jensen Ackles starred for many seasons as Dean Winchester in ‘Supernatural,’ created by Eric Kripke, and later joined Kripke’s ‘The Boys’ as Soldier Boy, expanding his comic-book-adjacent résumé across television. He has also worked in genre features like ‘My Bloody Valentine 3D.’
In animation, Ackles voiced Jason Todd in ‘Batman: Under the Red Hood’ directed by Brandon Vietti and Bruce Wayne in ‘Batman: The Long Halloween’ directed by Chris Palmer, continuing a run of DC projects alongside his live-action work.
Share your own Hyperion picks—and which story arc you’d want to see first—in the comments!
