Let’s dreamcast the X-Men before they appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 02: Dan Fogler attends the exclusive launch event for the Gringotts Wizarding Bank a new expansion at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter at Warner Bros Studios on April 02, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)

7. Dan Fogler as Beast

Possessing super strength and agility and covered in blue fur from head to toe, Beast is easily one of the most recognizable X-Men. But the most defining aspect of Beast will always be his acute intellect, philosopher’s mindset, and wisdom. Yes, he goes through some rough, feral patches. But where he really shines is when he’s imparting knowledge to the other X-Men, or figuring out a scientific solution to a problem, or reciting poetry…

As awful as X-Men: The Last Stand was, it cast the right actor as Beast. Kelsey Grammar did a fantastic job portraying the blue-skinned ambassador between humans and mutants. Nicholas Hoult reinvented and deepened the role in the First Class generation of movies, although those focused much more on a younger Beast’s angst.

At first glance, Dan Fogler might seem like an odd choice for Beast. He’s best known for light-hearted roles in movies like Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Fanboys. But, like Beast, the more you see of Fogler, the more you realize how versatile of an actor he is, and just how well-suited he could be to the contemplative Hank McCoy.

The best example is his time on The Walking Dead, where he played Luke, a music teacher who is collecting instruments that he finds during the zombie apocalypse in order to restore music to whatever civilization re-emerges. If that doesn’t sound like the sort of high-minded mission that a character like Beast would approve of, I don’t know what does. Listening to Fogler muse on the importance of art and culture, I get the idea he has the right spirit to play Beast.

And his background as a comedian actually means he could bring even more to the role. Beast has never been the most comedic character, but he’s got plenty of jokes, and the MCU is fond of its punchlines. Fogler would be the perfect fit, and could bring the best of both worlds to Beast.

UPDATE: Fogler officially approves!

So that clinches it, right? Pick up the phone, Disney.