Last week, Avengers: Endgame star Elizabeth Olsen revealed that she had once auditioned for the role of Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, a role that ultimately went to Emilia Clarke instead. Now it seems that Clarke herself was almost a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, at least according to an Instagram post from Iron Man 3 writer Drew Pearce.
Pearce, who co-wrote the film’s script with director Shane Black, posted a photo from an early Iron Man 3 table read with the cast on Saturday. “Downey, Cheadle, Emilia Clarke (long story, the script changed)… all vaguely terrifying,” he wrote.
Wait, what? Emilia Clarke was supposed to be in Iron Man 3? If Pearce’s offhand comment on Instagram is to be believed, then yes, the British actress was apparently a part of the film’s original cast before “the script changed.” Despite the implications of this “long story,” however, the screenwriter didn’t offer any additional details. Like what character was Clarke supposed to have played in the film, whether the character was completely cut out following the changes, or if the role recast because of them.
Not that Pearce’s silence has prevented any speculation about the subject. It’s well known that Clarke auditioned for the role of Sharon Carter in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, but lost out to Emily VanCamp. As io9’s Julie Muncy points out, however, Clarke may have been an original contender for the role of Maya Hansen, which was ultimately played by Rebecca Hall. We know that the Hansen character was originally supposed to be the film’s villain, but the Marvel brass opted against it due to concerns over toy sales.
So, maybe long before Dany decided to pillage King’s Landing in Thrones‘ final season, Clarke was originally set to attempt to burn Tony Stark’s world in Iron Man 3.