Adam Driver Has Turned Down So Many Marvel Offers That Feige Says It’s Become a Tradition to Zoom With Him and Watch Him Pass

Kevin Feige Reveals the Marvel-Adam Driver Zoom Tradition

Kevin Feige, the mastermind behind the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has let slip what might be the most relatable Hollywood ritual of 2026: a standing Zoom call with Adam Driver that ends the exact same way every time — with Driver politely saying no.

While promoting Spider-Man: Brand New Day on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, Feige was asked about the long-rumored possibility of Driver joining the MCU. His answer was unexpected, honest, and honestly a little funny.

“It’s no secret we’d like to [work with Adam],” Feige said with a laugh. “But it’s a tradition to Zoom with him and then he passes. That’s a long-lived tradition.”

According to Feige, these calls have become something of a Marvel Studios inside joke — a recurring dance where the studio pitches roles, Driver hears them out with characteristic seriousness, and then graciously declines. Feige insisted the conversations “couldn’t be more cordial” and that Driver is “usually upfront about how he’s feeling.”

This isn’t a one-time rejection. Feige made it clear this has happened multiple times with multiple roles. How many? The Marvel boss didn’t give a specific number, but the word “tradition” suggests we’re well past the first few attempts.

Why Does Adam Driver Keep Saying No?

Driver has never publicly explained why he’s passed on Marvel roles, but his career choices tell the story. The Juilliard-trained actor has consistently gravitated toward character-driven dramas and auteur-led projects — working with Martin Scorsese on House of Gucci, Ridley Scott on The Last Duel, Noah Baumbach on Marriage Story, and Michael Mann on Ferrari. He’s an actor who seems to chase interesting filmmakers rather than franchise paychecks.

Of course, Driver is no stranger to massive franchises. He played Kylo Ren across the Star Wars sequel trilogy, one of the biggest IPs in entertainment history. But his experience there may have shaped his subsequent choices. While Driver has spoken positively about working with director Rian Johnson, he’s also been open about the pressures of starring in a global phenomenon. The relentless scrutiny, the intense fan expectations, the multi-year commitments — it’s a lot, especially for an actor who has said he values variety in his roles.

There’s also the simple possibility that Driver just hasn’t found the right part. The MCU has hundreds of characters, and not every role is right for every actor. Driver is known for taking his time with decisions — it took him a while to commit to Megalopolis, and he’s notoriously selective about scripts. If Marvel hasn’t found the character that sparks his interest, that’s less about Driver saying no and more about the fit being wrong.

What Roles Was Driver Considered For?

Feige didn’t specify which roles have been offered to Driver, but the rumor mill has been churning for years. Fan theories have placed Driver as everything from Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) in the new Fantastic Four to Doctor Doom, from a new take on Norman Osborn to the iconic villain Kang the Conqueror. Some fans have even speculated about Driver playing an older version of a classic X-Men character, especially as rumors swirl about the X-Men’s MCU debut.

The X-Men connection feels particularly persistent. Driver has the intensity and physicality for a character like Cyclops or, more intriguingly, Mister Sinister — a role that requires both charm and menace. The IGN report that picked up Feige’s comments specifically noted that the “X-Men rumors swirl” alongside this story, suggesting there may be some connection between the roles Driver has been offered and Marvel’s plans for its merry band of mutants.

Whatever the roles have been, Driver’s consistency in passing suggests he knows what he wants from his career and isn’t easily swayed by a Marvel paycheck.

Marvel’s Adam Driver Obsession

What’s notable about Feige’s comments is the persistence. Marvel doesn’t usually go back to the same actor multiple times after being turned down. The fact that they keep coming back to Driver says something about how highly they value him. Driver is one of the few actors of his generation who combines serious dramatic chops (two Oscar nominations before age 40) with genuine action-hero credibility (working with a personal trainer for Star Wars, doing his own stunts).

That combination is rare. Spider-Man star Tom Holland has great comic timing, Cate Blanchett brought Shakespearean gravitas to Hela, and Robert Downey Jr. defined charisma as Iron Man. But Driver offers something different — a brooding intensity and unpredictable energy that could make him one of the MCU’s most compelling antagonists or most complex heroes.

Feige knows this. Which is why, despite the tradition of rejection, he’s not giving up. “Jury is still out on whether this is the time that will stick,” Feige said, “but Feige remains confident they’ll find the role for Driver.”

In other words: the Zoom invites aren’t stopping anytime soon.

The Bigger Picture: Stars Who Said No to Marvel

Driver isn’t alone in passing on the MCU. A surprising number of A-list actors have turned down Marvel roles over the years. Joaquin Phoenix was famously in talks for Doctor Strange before passing (the role went to Benedict Cumberbatch). Leonardo DiCaprio reportedly passed on multiple Marvel roles throughout the years. John Krasinski initially didn’t play Mr. Fantastic despite fan campaigns. Emily Blunt has been connected to Marvel roles (Black Widow, Sue Storm) but never signed on, though her husband John Krasinski did finally join the MCU in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Then there’s the Star Wars-to-Marvel pipeline that Star Wars actors have navigated. Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) went on to play Moon Knight in the MCU. Lupita Nyong’o (Maz Kanata) voiced the titular character in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as a de-aged version. But Driver has so far resisted the pull, making him something of an outlier among his Star Wars co-stars.

What makes Driver different? He’s built a career on unpredictable choices. After Star Wars, he could have cashed in with more franchise work. Instead, he made Marriage Story (Netflix drama), Annette (a musical from Leos Carax), The Last Duel and House of Gucci (period dramas from Ridley Scott), and Ferrari (a biopic from Michael Mann). That’s a filmography that values craft over commerce.

Will He Ever Say Yes?

Feige’s confidence suggests there’s a role out there that could break the streak. Maybe it’s the right villain, one that allows Driver to sink his teeth into a complex character arc across multiple films. Maybe it’s a Wolverine variant, giving Driver the chance to bring physicality and pathos to one of Marvel’s most beloved characters. Or maybe it’s a completely original creation designed specifically around his strengths.

Whatever it is, the tradition of Zoom-and-pass is going to continue until Marvel finds the part that Driver can’t refuse. And honestly? There’s something refreshing about an actor of Driver’s caliber being this selective. It means when he does eventually join the MCU — if he ever does — the role will be exactly the right one.

And until then, we get to enjoy the spectacle of Kevin Feige picking up his laptop, dialing Driver’s number, and getting politely turned down yet again. That’s a tradition worth keeping.