MCU fans slam 'unnecessary' recast of fan-favourite character

It’s become quite the norm to have multiple actors portray the same characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and that’s because we’re amidst The Multiverse Saga.

Spider-Man: No Way Home centred around three different Spider-Men, while Loki had a variety of actors portray variants of the titular character.

It’s much rarer that an actor is truly recast but that did happen with Cassie Lang prior to the launch of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

In the preceding Avengers: Endgame, Cassie was portrayed by Emma Fuhrmann but Fuhrmann was replaced with Katheryn Newton for the third Ant-Man instalment - a film where Cassie played a much more prominent role.

It’s Newton’s Cassie who’ll presumably be drafted into the Young Avengers, a team which is very clearly being set up despite being unconfirmed.

At the time of Newton’s casting, Fuhrman shared her reaction: “Just wanted to come on here & say that I see all your kind messages. Thank you for all your support. It has meant the world to me. I was as sad as you all were to hear the news Thursday. I can only hope that this means there is something else for me in the future of the MCU.”

She continued, “I will always be grateful to have been a part of the MCU & the biggest movie of all time. Being an actress is still my #1 passion & I look forward to what the future holds. Xo Emma.”

It’s really sad to see that Marvel didn’t give her the heads up, at the very least.

ICYMI: Captain America: Brave New World is the next film to release.

I’m assuming that Newton was cast to “age up” the role, as she is four years older than Fuhrmann.

That’s not a move that was entirely necessary as Cassie still would’ve been in her mid-to-late teens in Quantumania, and Fuhrmann was too at the time, while Newton was in her early 20s.

Still, it’s not unusual to see Hollywood opt for 20-something actors to portray teens. I suppose they can add a bit more experience to the role.

Despite that, many believe Marvel should’ve stuck with the original Cassie.

“Justice for Endgame Cassie. Very small part and she probably wouldn’t have made Quantumania any better but there was no reason to recast imo,” wrote Reddit user CockroachBorn8903.

“She was phenomenal in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. I get that they wanted to age her up, but it still kinda sucks,” added SpideyFan914.

“Also, Emma Fuhrmann actually looks like an older Abby Ryder Forston, but Kathryn Newton does not,” wrote CaptHayfever, referring to the original younger Cassie.

“Would have been cool had they at least given her a chance,” agreed DoctorCabinet.

We’re not done with the multiverse yet. Perhaps Fuhrmann’s Cassie will one day resurface.