AceShowbiz - The year 2026 is shaping up to be monumental for superhero cinema and television, with the release of Avengers: Doomsday expected this December. This film is rumored to be the largest Avengers project yet, following the massive ensemble successes of Infinity War and Endgame. Meanwhile, the highly praised second season of the series BeefBeef is approaching, reigniting interest in the actor who starred in its first season and nearly joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Steven Yeun, known for his breakout role as Glen Rhee on The Walking Dead, earned critical acclaim and captivated audiences with his performance as Danny in Beef. Recently, discussions about his near-casting as the Sentry in Thunderbolts have resurfaced, prompting fans to wonder if Yeun could still join the MCU or even the upcoming X-Men film slate. The director of both Thunderbolts and the forthcoming X-Men movie, Jake Schreier, who also worked with Yeun on Beef, shared insights into the actor’s possible MCU future.

"I love Steven very dearly, and he's one of the very best actors that we have, so, I mean, I would never not be looking for places to [cast him]-but no specifics," Schreier explained, indicating that while no firm plans exist yet, Yeun remains a talent they want to collaborate with in the Marvel universe.

When asked about his experience working with Schreier and whether he had seen Thunderbolts, Yeun told MovieWeb, "I did. I love Jake, Jake Schreier, incredible human director. I did [see it] and I never say never. I'm around." Scheduling conflicts caused by the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes prevented Yeun from taking the Sentry role, which was ultimately given to Lewis Pullman, known for Top Gun: Maverick.

Given the amicable nature of Yeun’s departure from the role and Schreier’s ongoing involvement with Marvel’s future projects, including the X-Men reboot, the possibility remains open for Yeun to join the MCU at a later date. Schreier revealed some of his creative intentions for the new X-Men film, emphasizing a fresh start for the franchise. "We are aiming to do something that feels like a fresh start and going for something that feels new," he said, adding that Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has encouraged exploring new directions within the vast Marvel universe.

Schreier also shared his dedication to the source material, spending extensive time revisiting classic runs such as the entire Chris Claremont X-Men series and the influential work by Grant Morrison. This foundation suggests that Marvel’s next phase will honor the rich comic legacy while providing fresh storytelling opportunities.

Fans eager to see Steven Yeun in the MCU can remain hopeful. His combination of critical acclaim, strong connections with Marvel’s creative team, and the director’s expressed admiration keep the door open for future appearances. Whether Yeun will portray a new character or possibly revisit the Sentry role remains to be seen, but the actor’s name is clearly still in Marvel’s consideration.

As 2026 approaches with major Marvel releases on the horizon, including Avengers: Doomsday and the new X-Men film, the landscape for casting and character introductions is wide open. Marvel fans continue to speculate and discuss potential roles for Yeun and others, fueling excitement for what’s next in the MCU.

Would you like to see Steven Yeun join the MCU? What character do you hope he plays? Share your thoughts and theories with other Marvel enthusiasts on the ComicBook forum, where the conversation is always lively about Marvel’s evolving cinematic universe.