History Main / AscendedFancast

* The resemblance between Creator/JonathanPryce and [[UsefulNotes/NotablePopes Pope Francis]] has long been noted and plenty of jokes or suggestions that he should play him arose. It eventually happened with ''Film/TheTwoPopes''.

* Ever since ''Film/RemingtonSteele'', Creator/PierceBrosnan was a popular candidate to play Film/JamesBond (and producer Creator/AlbertRBroccoli wanted him as soon as the mid-'80s actually). Then ''Film/GoldenEye'' happened.

* Creator/EmmaWatson was a very popular fancast for Belle in a hypothetical live-action remake of {{WesternAnimation/Beauty And The Beast}} due to having already played a BadassBookworm and BrainyBrunette in her role as [[Film/HarryPotter Hermione Granger]]. She eventually played Belle in ''Film/{{Beauty and the Beast|2017}}''.

** ''Film/{{Justice League|2017}}'': Creator/JoeManganiello as ComicBook/{{Deathstroke}} came true because [[https://screenrant.com/joe-manganiello-deathstroke-dceu-fan-art/ one of the producers]] saw fanart of the popular fancast.

** Ever since ''Film/ManOfSteel'', there was a popular fan theory that Calvin Swanwick (Creator/HarryLennix) is actually ComicBook/MartianManhunter in disguise. Creator/ZackSnyder liked the idea enough to incorporate it in [[Film/ZackSnydersJusticeLeague his cut]] of ''Justice League''.

* ''Film/Joker2019'': Creator/JoaquinPhoenix was one of the most popular fan casting for the titular character ever since his EvilIsHammy performance in ''Film/{{Gladiator}}''.

* Creator/TomHardy is frequently brought up in ComicBook/{{Venom}} fan castings before being officially cast in ''Film/SonysSpiderManUniverse'' starting with ''Film/Venom2018''.

Sometimes, this is because the creators of the adaptation [[CreatorChosenCasting already had the actor in mind from the beginning]], and it just so happened that the fanbase thought the same thing. Other times, they have one ear to the fandom hivemind. And in some cases, an actor might learn of the fancast and campaign for the role themselves, especially if they're JustForFun/OneOfUs.

A sister trope of AscendedFanon. This is more common in the LiveActionAdaptation than in the AnimatedAdaptation (unless it utilizes InkSuitActor or the fancast was for their voice). Contrast DarkhorseCasting, when an unknown actor is cast for a major part. Compare and contrast HypotheticalCasting, which is when a ''creator'' visualizes a character through an existing performer regardless of whether or not they'll ever be cast, or whether or not the fans agree.

* Film/MarvelCinematicUniverse:

*** A fairly popular fancast for [[spoiler:Clea was Creator/CharlizeTheron]], who does indeed make an appearance in TheStinger.

*** [[spoiler:Creator/JohnKrasinski as [[ComicBook/FantasticFour Reed Richards]]]] has been a popular fancast for a long period of time, and the movie made it official, albeit [[spoiler: as a version from another universe and not as the Reed native to the MCU's main timeline. When asked about if Krasinski would be reprising his role in the proper MCU ''Fantastic Four'' film, writer Michael Waldron said he didn't know anything about it.]]

*** [[spoiler:Creator/JohnKrasinski as [[ComicBook/FantasticFour Reed Richards]]]] has been a popular fancast for a long period of time, and the movie made it official, albeit [[spoiler: as a version from another universe and not as the Reed native to the MCU's main timeline.]]

** ''Film/AntManAndTheWasp'': After the first ''Ant-Man'' film was released, Creator/EvangelineLilly was asked by a reporter on who she wanted to play Hope's mother, Janet Van Dyne. Lilly would expressed that she wanted Creator/MichellePfeiffer to play Janet. role. When sequel was being made, Pfeiffer wound up being casted as Janet.

* When the ''Film/XMenFilmSeries'' was announced, fans and comic creators agreed that they wanted to see Creator/PatrickStewart as Professor Xavier ahead of ''Film/XMen1'', citing his physical resemblance to the character as well as his acting gravitas and his career in sci-fi. After he got the role, the producers often said he was always the first choice.

* Creator/StephanieBeatriz was a popular fan casting for the role of ComicBook/{{Batwoman}} in the [[Series/Batwoman2020 TV series]] following Creator/RubyRose's departure after season one before she finally voiced the superheroine in ''WesternAnimation/CatwomanHunted''.

* ''Series/ShadowAndBone'': Ben Barnes was an extremely popular fancasting choice for the Darkling among book fans for ''years'' before the show was developed. He even [[https://www.polygon.com/tv/22387419/ben-barnes-shadow-and-bone-casting-darkling-kirigan-tumblr showed the casting director a Tumblr post about it]] to prove that he was right for the part. The original author, Creator/LeighBardugo, actually [[https://lbardugo.tumblr.com/post/57669879859/supernaturalzombie-shadow-and-bone-dream reblogged a post]] in 2013 with Barnes as the Darkling.

** ''Film/{{Justice League|2017}}'': Creator/JoeManganiello as Deathstroke came true because [[https://screenrant.com/joe-manganiello-deathstroke-dceu-fan-art/ one of the producers]] saw fanart of the popular fancast.

* ''Series/GameOfThrones'': Creator/AlexanderSiddig and Creator/IndiraVarma were frequent fancasts for Doran Martell and Ellaria Sand, and satisfied fans' expectations when they were cast in the roles in Season 4.

* During ''Series/{{Community}}'', Creator/DonaldGlover was a very popular choice among fans for the role of Peter Parker / Spider-Man and even actively campaigned for it ahead of ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries''. While this campaign was unsuccessful, a ''Community'' scene in which he wears black Spider-Man pajamas inspired the design of the ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'', Miles Morales. Though he had already aged out of playing the role in live-action, Glover got the chance to voice Miles in ''[[WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012 Ultimate Spider-Man]]'' and played Aaron Davis, who is traditionally Miles's uncle (and even calls Miles in a deleted scene), in ''Film/SpiderManHomecoming''.

* Franchise/DCExtendedUniverse: ''Film/{{Justice League|2017}}'': Creator/JoeManganiello as Deathstroke came true because [[https://screenrant.com/joe-manganiello-deathstroke-dceu-fan-art/ one of the producers]] saw fanart of the popular fancast.

A SubTrope of AscendedFanon. This is more common in the LiveActionAdaptation than in the AnimatedAdaptation (unless it utilizes InkSuitActor or the fancast was for their voice). Contrast DarkhorseCasting, when an unknown actor is cast for a major part. Compare and contrast HypotheticalCasting, which is when a ''creator'' visualizes a character through an existing performer regardless of whether or not they'll ever be cast, or whether or not the fans agree.

* ''Series/{{Glee}}'': Creator/IdinaMenzel's resemblance to Creator/LeaMichele (Rachel) did not go unnoticed by fans, who frequently fancasted her in the role of Rachel's biological mother[[note]]she has two gay fathers[[/note]] over the course of the first season. While Menzel initially appeared as Shelby, the rival choir's director, in the first season's back half, she was soon revealed to also be Rachel's mother.

* Coming off ''Series/{{Community}}'', Creator/DonaldGlover was a very popular choice for the role of Miles Morales, the ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'', and even actively campaigned for it ahead of ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries''. Though he eventually aged out of playing the role in live action, Glover got the chance to voice Miles in ''[[WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012 Ultimate Spider-Man]]'' and played a character who is traditionally Miles's uncle in ''Film/SpiderManHomecoming''.

* ''Series/{{Glee}}'': Creator/IdinaMenzel's resemblance to Creator/LeaMichele (Rachel) did not go unnoticed by fans, who frequently fancasted her in the role of Rachel's biological mother[[note]]she has two gay fathers[[/note]] over the course of the first season. Menzel was eventually cast as Rachel's mother Shelby in the first season's back half.

** ''Series/{{The Flash|2014}}'': The fan-favorite to play the role of Jay Garrick was Creator/JohnWesleyShipp, who played [[Series/TheFlash1990 the previous]] live-action ''Flash''. He was cast as TheHero's father instead. [[spoiler:He eventually appears as said character, though.]]

* Creator/OscarIsaac was a popular fan choice for the role of [[Franchise/TheAddamsFamily Gomez Addams]], especially after rocking a similar look in ''Film/SuckerPunch''. He eventually got to voice the character in animation in ''WesternAnimation/{{The Addams Family|2019}}'' (2019).

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]
* Creator/OscarIsaac was a popular fan choice for the role of [[Franchise/TheAddamsFamily Gomez Addams]], especially after rocking a similar look in ''Film/SuckerPunch''. He eventually got to voice the character in animation in ''WesternAnimation/TheAddamsFamily2019''.

* After ''Film/It2017'' ended before a TimeSkip, it became apparent that {{Timeshifted Actor}}s would be needed to play the adult versions of the Losers.

* ''Film/JusticeLeague2017'': Creator/JoeManganiello as Deathstroke came true because [[https://screenrant.com/joe-manganiello-deathstroke-dceu-fan-art/ one of the producers]] saw fanart of the popular fancast.

** Creator/BenedictCumberbatch was the people's choice for the titular role of ''Film/DoctorStrange2016'', since he had previously played stoic, troubled geniuses in well-known adaptations (''Series/{{Sherlock}}'', ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness''). The director also agreed, saying Cumberbatch was who they had envisioned for the character.

** ''Series/TheFlash2014'': The fan-favorite to play the role of Jay Garrick was Creator/JohnWesleyShipp, who played [[Series/TheFlash1990 the previous]] live-action ''Flash''. He was cast as TheHero's father instead. [[spoiler:He eventually appears as said character, though.]]
** ''Series/Batwoman2019'': Creator/BridgetRegan was a well-loved choice for the role of [[Characters/BatmanPoisonIvy Poison Ivy]], since she had played a duplicitous spy/assassin in ''Series/AgentCarter'' and a seductive, sapphic, redheaded mob boss in ''Series/JaneTheVirgin'' in succession. So the fancasters were very happy when she got cast for the role ahead of the show's third season.

* Creator/RosarioDawson has [[https://collider.com/the-mandalorian-rosario-dawson-ahsoka-tano-casting-explained/ stated]] that being a popular fancast for the role of [[WesternAnimation/StarWarsTheCloneWars Ahsoka Tano]] helped her get the role in ''Series/TheMandalorian''.

* Coming off ''Series/{{Community}}'', Creator/DonaldGlover was a very popular choice for the role of Miles Morales, the ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'', and even actively campaigned for it ahead of ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries''. Though he eventually aged out of playing the role in live action, Glover got the chance to voice Miles in ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012'' and played a character who is traditionally Miles's uncle in ''Film/SpiderManHomecoming''.

SubTrope of AscendedFanon. This is more common in the LiveActionAdaptation than in the AnimatedAdaptation (unless it utilizes InkSuitActor or the fancast was for their voice). Contrast DarkhorseCasting, when an unknown actor is cast for a major part. Compare and contrast HypotheticalCasting, which is when a ''creator'' visualizes a character through an existing performer regardless of whether or not they'll ever be cast, or whether or not the fans agree.

[[AC:Films -- Animated]]

[[AC:Films -- Live Action]]

[[AC:Live-Action TV]]

[[AC:Western Animation]]
* Coming off ''Series/{{Community}}'', Creator/DonaldGlover was a very popular choice for the role of Miles Morales, the ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'', and even actively campaigned for it ahead of ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries''. Though he eventually aged out of playing the role in live action, Glover got the chance to voice Miles in ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012'' and played a character who is traditionally Miles's uncle in ''Film/SpiderManHomecoming''.

* Coming off ''Series/{{Community}}'', Creator/DonaldGlover was a very popular choice for the role of Miles Morales, the ''ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan'', and even actively campaigned for it ahead of ''Film/TheAmazingSpiderManSeries''. Though he eventually aged out playing the role in live action, Glover got the chance to voice Miles in ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012'' and played a character who is traditionally Miles's uncle in ''Film/SpiderManHomecoming''.