From Marvel Greatness to Rotten Tomatoes Woes: The 44% Comic Book Capers of 5 Iconic MCU Legends Coming to Prime Video!

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has really outdone itself, hasn't it? With a staggering 34 films and 13 shows, it feels like the actors in this vast universe have spent more time in spandex than they have on actual red carpets. This has led fans to become amateur sleuths, digging through the archives of actors’ previous works in search of those delightful "A-ha!" moments when they realize their favorite heroes and villains have also shared the screen outside the MCU.

Now, if you’re in the mood for a little nostalgia—and maybe a few chuckles—this November, Prime Video is giving us "Cowboys & Aliens." Remember that one? Released back in 2011, it didn’t exactly knock critics off their horses, but it’s worth a second look for the MCU enthusiasts. Why, you ask? Well, it turns out that this sci-fi Western is a bit of a celebrity gathering for those who have donned villainous roles in the MCU. We have the likes of Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer, Walton Goggins as Sonny Burch, Wyatt Russell as John Walker (a.k.a. U.S. Agent), and the incomparable Harrison Ford as Thaddeus Ross, also known as Red Hulk. Talk about a reunion!

“Cowboys & Aliens” hails from the creative mind behind some of the most beloved Marvel films—yes, we’re looking at you, Jon Favreau. The film is based on a graphic novel, and let me tell you, it’s as wild as it sounds. Picture this: a retro-futuristic Wild West where our three anti-heroes must band together to save a small town from extraterrestrial invaders. Think "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly" meets "E.T." You’ve got Daniel Craig playing an amnesiac outlaw named Jake Lonergan, matched with Ford as the wealthy cattleman Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde, and Olivia Wilde as the ever-enigmatic traveler, Ella Swenson. It’s like a cowboy spaghetti dinner gone sci-fi!

Interestingly enough, Robert Downey Jr. was almost the cherry on top of this ensemble sundae, set to play the former Union Army gunslinger, Zeke Jackson. But alas, he chose the allure of a “Sherlock Holmes” sequel over a showdown with aliens, and Craig swooped in to save the day in 2010. The project had high hopes with heavy-hitters like Steven Spielberg and Jon Favreau on the producer list. It almost became a marvel (pun intended) of actors if only the stars had aligned a little differently. Rumor had it that Craig would appear in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” as Balder the Brave, Thor’s half-brother—imagine that! Elizabeth Olsen, our beloved Scarlet Witch, even thought this casting was a sure thing. “I saw the art. They made a costume. They had a design,” she said, presumably while trying not to roll her eyes at Hollywood’s ever-changing whims.

But let’s not lose ourselves in what could have been. “Cowboys & Aliens” currently languishes with a 44% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes—yikes! Critics clutched their pearls over Favreau’s direction and the film’s struggle to find a coherent voice. It’s as if it couldn’t decide if it was daring to meld science fiction with Western folklore, falling short compared to classics like "Westworld" or "Back to the Future III." Let’s be real, “Cowboys & Aliens” ended up losing around $75 million at the box office—definitely not the kind of financial rodeo anyone dreams of, but it has carved out a little niche among the cult sci-fi crowd.

So if you’re ready for a wild ride—usually better suited for a late-night laugh than a Sunday binge—be sure to catch “Cowboys & Aliens” streaming on Prime Video, starting November 1st. Put on your spurs, grab your popcorn, and enjoy the delightful chaos!