Arnold Schwarzenegger made a triumphant return to acting in May 2023, with FUBAR on Netflix. With FUBAR renewed for a new season and Schwarzenegger collaborating with Danny DeVito for an upcoming project, the 76-year-old is busy. However, around the time FUBAR was released, Arnie also voiced his desire to star in the MCU.

The 76-year-old former Mr. Olympia expressed his desire to become part of the superhero cinematic universe that ruled the box office throughout the last decade. With his rival-turned-buddy Sylvester Stallone already part of the MCU, it’s not far-fetched to think Arnie might star in a future MCU project. However, the question is, which Marvel characters would Arnie be best suited to play? Looking back at his portfolio it’s not impossible to imagine that there are multiple characters Schwarzenegger could’ve and will still pull off on-screen. So here’s a look at five such characters.

The Austrian Oak in his prime as the Hercules

Marvel’s version of the Greek demigod appeared in the post-credits scene of Thor: Love and Thunder. Brett Goldstein of Tedd Lasso fame starred as Hercules and will play a more significant role in future Thor films. Hollywood has also made multiple films on Hercules from the 50s through the 70s. The best part of imagining Schwarzenegger in his prime as Hercules is that one doesn’t have to imagine at all.

In 1970, Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in his first film as none other than, Hercules. Hercules in New York was released the same year that Arnie won his first Mr. Olympia title. Looking at Schwarzenegger in the film makes it a no-brainer that the Austrian Oak would’ve made a near-perfect Hercules in the modern Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Schwarzenegger who could deadlift 710 lbs and benched 525 lbs in his prime would also have no problems portraying herculean strength on camera. However, The Terminator would’ve also had no problems playing the next Marvel character during his prime.

Arnold Schwarzenegger as a man out for revenge

While his 70s bodybuilding physique might’ve been the perfect fit for Hercules, by 1982, Arnie had to lose some muscle for Conan the Barbarian. He maintained that shape for The Terminator in 1984. It’s this mid-80s look, that would be a good fit for Arnie as the Punisher. While Jon Bernthal’s rendition earned him praise from critics and fans alike, the original look of Frank Castle from the comics was slightly different.

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While artists have downsized Castle’s physique over the decades, the original Frank Castle was just as muscular and shredded as Arnie in Conan. In fact in the comics, Castle’s physique was comparable with Captain America. In 1985’s Commando, Arnie even played a retired special forces operative of the US armed forces. Hence, it’s not too hard to imagine Arnie as a war veteran out for revenge on those who killed his family.

From The Terminator to Colossus

While mentioning the 80s action cinema, one cannot overlook Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most iconic character The Terminator. The Mr. Universe made his final appearance as the nearly indestructible robot as recently as 2019, in Terminator: Dark Fate. Hence, the Austrian Oak would also be a great fit to play Colossus. While his T-800 had a skeleton made of metal, Colossus’s entire skin would be made of metal.

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In Marvel comics and the MCU, the Colossus, aka Piotr Rasputin is a hulking mutant with enhanced strength and a body made out of metal. Schwarzenegger, who once auditioned to play the Hulk, would’ve had no problem portraying Colossus on screen. Also, thanks to advancements in VFX, even at 76, Schwarzenegger could play the member of the X-Men. Arnie would also be a great match for another character from the X-Men. 

A character that shares a lot in common with The Terminator

Arnold Schwarzenegger played a time-traveling killer robot with a human body in 1984’s The Terminator. That same cyborg turned into a protector in 1991’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day. If that doesn’t sound familiar, then it’s basically Cable from Deadpool 2. In the 2018 blockbuster starring Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin (also played Thanos) starred as Cable.

Unlike the comic books, the film portrayed Cable as a time-traveling anti-hero. However, by the end of the film, he turns into Deadpool’s ally. The MCU also cemented the multiverse concept with Loki season 2. Hence it’s not impossible to imagine Arnie as an older version of Cable in his 70s from a different timeline. However, interestingly, the Austrian Oak could gain an even easier entry into the MCU.

Arnold Schwarzenegger had already played a Marvel character

Yes, you read that right, Arnold Schwarzenegger portrayed a Marvel character in 1982. However, it would be more accurate to claim that the bodybuilding legend played a character Marvel owns the rights to. While Conan the Barbarian wasn’t a Marvel Comics creation, they have the rights to the character. During his original run, Conan even appeared in a What If comic where he fought a weakened Thor.

Although at one point Marvel lost the rights for Conan to Dark Horse comics, they acquired it again. Following the acquisition, Conan was integrated with other heroes and became part of The Savage Avengers. Yet again, despite being 76, Schwarzenegger could easily enter the MCU as King Conan, a much older and wiser version of the barbarian. In fact, Conan fans have been begging for a King Conan film ever since the cancellation of the original trilogy. Thanks to the multiverse, 76-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appearance as King Conan would be a perfect way to introduce that character to the MCU.

Arnold Schwarzenegger appearing in the MCU at 76 might feel like a far-fetched proposition at first. However, a deeper look reveals several opportunities for the action cinema legend’s MCU debut.