Denzel Washington’s Perfect MCU Role Isn’t What You’d Expect

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always full of surprises, and that has been proven more than ever in recent years with the return of Daredevil and the casting of Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom. But perhaps the biggest surprise was the confirmation that Denzel Washington would finally join the ranks of the largest franchise ever in Ryan Coogler’s next Black Panther film. In a bittersweet sense, it’s also a full circle moment as it was Washington who aided Chadwick Boseman’s growth as an actor in Hollywood. Though Washington will be new to the franchise, it’s a casting that has felt like a long time coming.

Washington has been known to shine in dramatic roles that allow him to show his range, whether it’s a cruel antagonist in movies like Training Day and Fences or stoic heroism in films like The Equalizer and Man on Fire. In short, Washington has proven himself time and again in every genre and it’s these impressive credits that have had fans clamoring for him to join the MCU and bring his skills to a new hero or villain. But with Washington’s announcement that after his next collection of films he would retire from acting, his perfect role in the MCU may not be the one fans have wanted or anticipated.

Not only did Marvel Comics introduce the first Black superhero in comics, they never stopped introducing even more iconic heroes, from Black Panther and Luke Cage to Isaiah Bradley and Miles Morales. But in 2008, a new hero was born with Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel #1 by Kevin Grevioux and Mat Broome. The series introduced Afam Brashear, a hero from the 1960s known as the Blue Marvel, a being similar to Superman in that he could fly and had superhuman strength, but he also had the ability to absorb anti-matter and manipulate energy and telekinesis, making him a force to be reckoned with. His story began as a child prodigy who later fought in the Korean War and became a scientist studying anti-matter. Following an accident, his body became a reactor for the energy thus giving him powers. Operating in the ’60s, and earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his actions. However, when a battle broke his full-face mask, the masses discovered he was Black, and he was forced to retire by the President. It was one of the more disgraceful moments in the Marvel Universe, up there with the treatment of Isaiah Bradley, and one that Brashear never forgot. Even still, his desire to do good meant that he was never far from returning to the life of a hero. Decades later, Brashear would return, joining teams like the Ultimates to stop enemies that required his brains rather than his brawn. Even still, while he was finally accepted by the masses for what he had done to protect Earth, what happened to Brashear could never be forgotten, making his desire to help even after all of that all the more admirable.

Inherently, Brashear’s character requires someone with the skills to sell the fact that he’s a prodigy while also exuding a feeling that he had years of valuable experience and could never be talked down to. As a result, Washington was always the best choice for the role and one that fans were never completely against taking on the name. Plus, with movies like The Equalizer and The Tragedy of Macbeth, it was clear Washington could more than carry himself in a physical setting while carrying the anger and love for a world that turned on him. Unfortunately, with it looking like Washington will only be available for one MCU movie before retirement, it’s more likely that Blue Marvel will have to go to another role. Even still, there’s one character perfect for Washington that would be a guaranteed hit if adapted.

If the Black Panther of World War II, T’Chanda aka Azzuri, could be described in two words, it would be “angry” and “protective.” Introduced in Fantastic Four Unlimited #1 by Roy Thomas and Herb Trimpe, Azzuri was known as the King who took in Klaue when his plane crashed and was the only survivor. Klaue also provided the iconic Panther idol to Wakanda. But when Klaue failed to get the Wakandans to worship the idol, he killed Azzuri’s Queen and barely escaped with his life. From that point on, Azzuri became fiercely protective over the people of Wakanda, killing all Nazis and sticking their heads on spears as a warning to those that would dare to enter its borders. That said, Nazis weren’t the only ones that found Wakanda as Captain America, and the Howling Commandos also came to blows with the powerful nation. However, it was with the Commandos that Azzuri saw the goodness in outsiders, specifically Gabe Jones, who saved his children, which included the future King, T’Chaka.

One thing that Washington has brought to his roles over the decades has been intensity. Whether he was a kind and devoted man or an obsessed antagonist, it was a guarantee that Washington would bring 110% to his roles. This was best shown in movies like Training Day, where he appeared loud and unhinged as the corrupt cop, Alonzo Harris, but played the role of someone who disguised how much control he had over a situation. Meanwhile, in movies like The Equalizer, there was a brutality Washington brought to the role of Robert McCall that mirrored decades of experience as a killer who was using his skills to protect those in need. These qualities, as well as many others that Washington has showcased, would be perfect for the role of Azzuri, and there’s an amazing way the MCU could bring those to light.

If Azzuri appeared in a flashback, it’s the perfect way to revisit the likes of the Red Skull and Hydra, being that Klaue is dead and wasn’t alive in the ’40s. Seeing Azzuri take on Hydra and team up with the Howling Commandos would be both exciting and refreshing, as it would allow for the likes of Gabe Jones and Dum Dum Dugan to return to the franchise. However, if he were to appear in the Ancestral Plane to provide council to Shuri, it would make sense. Should she need guidance from a more brutal relative, it would be a perfect chance to see how she’s both similar and different to one of the most brutal Panthers in history. Nevertheless, Washington has always brought intensity and experience to his roles, and Azzuri carries both in spades.

The Blue Marvel Could Still Be Held By a Washington

Denzel Washington’s future in the MCU is certain, and though it’s not confirmed, Azzuri seems the most fitting and most exciting as it would represent a victory lap of sorts for all of the most beloved acting traits Washington has brought to his roles. With his love of Shakespeare coming in the form of future films before his retirement, it leaves his time in the MCU as a way to cut loose and have fun in an action movie one last time. That said, while fans may have liked him in the role of the Blue Marvel, there’s no reason his son, John David Washington, couldn’t be the one to carry on the mantle for the long haul.

Though he’s relatively new to the acting game compared to his father, John David Washington has already proven that he can handle series roles like 2018’s Monster as well as more physically demanding ones like in Tenet. All the while, he’s managed to showcase his own unique quirks that are wholly his own and help show that he’s able to carry on weight more than most. Though he’s admittedly younger than Blue Marvel, it hasn’t stopped fans from creating fan art of him in the role. Plus, because of his story, having Blue Marvel aged up even by a couple of decades, doesn’t lessen the impact of the injustice he faced or his forced retirement. While it would require some form of time shenanigans to justify his younger age, it’s not impossible with a character as intelligent as Brashear. Or conversely, a prequel series could be the way to go, as a Marvel Spotlight miniseries that sets up his eventual return to the modern age. Nevertheless, it was always a desire for Denzel Washington to take on the role, but with Azzuri seeming like a more fitting and exciting role, it may be time for father and son to enter the MCU in roles completely suited to them.