15 Actors Who Could Bring Cletus Kasady/Carnage to Life in the MCU

Cletus Kasady, the unhinged serial killer who becomes Carnage, is one of Marvel’s most chaotic villains. His blend of psychopathic menace and symbiotic ferocity demands an actor who can channel both chilling insanity and physical intensity.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) hasn’t yet introduced this iconic villain, leaving room for a fresh face to embody him. We’ve picked 15 actors who could deliver a terrifying Carnage.

15. Thomas Middleditch

Thomas Middleditch has a knack for playing quirky, unpredictable characters, like his role as Richard Hendricks in ‘Silicon Valley’ (2014-2019). His ability to shift from awkward charm to manic energy makes him a surprising but fitting choice for Cletus Kasady.

He could bring a deceptive lightness to Kasady’s twisted mind, making the villain’s descent into chaos even more unsettling. Middleditch’s lean Patients would go wild, his wiry frame and expressive face perfect for Carnage’s frenzied transformations.

14. Rory McCann

Rory McCann’s towering presence as Sandor Clegane in ‘Game of Thrones’ (2011-2019) showed he can play intimidating yet layered characters. His raw physicality would suit Carnage’s brutal nature.

McCann could portray Kasady as a brooding, menacing figure whose quiet intensity explodes into the symbiote’s violent chaos. His ability to convey suppressed rage would add depth to the character’s psychotic edge.

13. Charlie Heaton

Charlie Heaton’s role as Jonathan Byers in ‘Stranger Things’ (2016-2025) proved he can handle troubled, intense characters. His lean build and haunted demeanor fit Kasady’s unhinged vibe.

Heaton could bring a raw, youthful energy to the role, making Kasady feel like a ticking time bomb. His ability to portray emotional volatility would amplify Carnage’s unpredictable terror.

12. Adam Driver

Adam Driver’s portrayal of Kylo Ren in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ (2015) and its sequels showcased his ability to embody conflicted, volatile characters. His intensity would make Kasady a chilling force.

Driver’s commanding presence and knack for portraying inner turmoil could create a Carnage who’s both terrifying and oddly compelling. His physicality would also suit the symbiote’s fluid, aggressive movements.

11. Caleb Landry Jones

Caleb Landry Jones has a talent for unsettling roles, like his creepy performance in ‘Get Out’ (2017). His wiry frame and expressive face are perfect for Kasady’s feral energy.

Jones could capture the quiet menace of Kasady before the symbiote takes over, making the transformation into Carnage even more jarring. His ability to play characters on the edge would bring a unique intensity to the role.

10. Joseph Gilgun

Joe Gilgun’s wild performance as Cassidy in ‘Preacher’ (2016-2019) showed he can handle chaotic, unpredictable characters. His manic energy fits Kasady’s deranged personality.

Gilgun could make Carnage both terrifying and oddly charismatic, with his dynamic movements translating well to the symbiote’s violent transformations. His dark humor would add a twisted layer to the villain.

9. Boyd Holbrook

Boyd Holbrook’s gritty role in ‘Justified: City Primeval’ (2023) proved he can balance charm and danger. His athletic build suits Carnage’s physical demands.

Holbrook could play Kasady as a deceptively charismatic psychopath, unleashing his darker side with chilling precision. His experience in action-heavy roles ensures he’d nail the symbiote’s brutal fight scenes.

8. Pablo Schreiber

Pablo Schreiber’s intense performance as Mad Sweeney in ‘American Gods’ (2017-2021) showed he can handle complex, volatile characters. His physical presence would enhance Carnage’s menace.

Schreiber could bring a quiet, simmering danger to Kasady, making the symbiote’s emergence feel like an explosion of chaos. His ability to convey depth would make the villain more than just a monster.

7. Steven Ogg

Steven Ogg’s unhinged portrayal of Trevor Philips in ‘Grand Theft Auto V’ (2013) showed he can dive into a volatile psyche. His intense stare would make Kasady terrifying.

Ogg could blend menace with dark humor, creating a Carnage who’s both unpredictable and magnetic. His ability to embody wild characters would bring the symbiote’s chaos to life.

6. Riz Ahmed

Riz Ahmed’s powerful performance in ‘Sound of Metal’ (2019) highlighted his ability to portray raw, emotional intensity. His versatility would make Kasady uniquely compelling.

Ahmed could play Kasady as a broken man whose bond with the symbiote unleashes his darkest impulses. His physical agility would shine in Carnage’s shape-shifting, frenetic fight scenes.

5. Jamie Bell

Jamie Bell’s dynamic role in ‘Billy Elliot’ (2000) and later projects like ‘Rocketman’ (2019) showed his range and physicality. His lean build fits Carnage’s frenetic energy.

Bell could portray Kasady as a restless, unhinged figure whose symbiotic transformation feels like a natural extension of his chaos. His expressive acting would add depth to the villain’s madness.

4. Taron Egerton

Taron Egerton’s charismatic yet intense performance in ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ (2014) makes him a strong candidate for Kasady. His energy would light up the screen.

Egerton could bring a youthful, reckless edge to Kasady, making Carnage’s violent outbursts feel like a twisted release. His action experience would ensure thrilling symbiote sequences.

3. Sam Rockwell

Sam Rockwell’s wild energy in ‘The Green Mile’ (1999) and versatile roles in films like ‘Moon’ (2009) prove he can handle unhinged characters. His charisma would elevate Kasady.

Rockwell could mix menace and unpredictability, making Carnage a scene-stealing villain. His physical versatility would bring the symbiote’s chaotic transformations to vivid life.

2. Jack O’Connell

Jack O’Connell’s raw intensity in ‘’71’ (2014) and ‘Unbroken’ (2014) shows he can portray desperate, driven characters. His gritty edge suits Kasady’s psychotic nature.

O’Connell could play Kasady as a man teetering on the brink, with Carnage pushing him into full-blown anarchy. His physical commitment would make the symbiote’s violence visceral.

1. Bill Skarsgård

Bill Skarsgård’s chilling performance as Pennywise in ‘It’ (2017) makes him a top pick for Cletus Kasady. His ability to embody terror is unmatched.

Skarsgård could craft a Kasady who’s both deeply unsettling and magnetic, with the symbiote amplifying his eerie presence. His knack for creepy roles would make Carnage a true nightmare.

Who’s your top pick for Cletus Kasady, or did we miss a great choice? Drop your thoughts in the comments!