The Marvel Cinematic Universe has, generally speaking, a habit of claiming the biggest names in Hollywood and forging an even bigger career for well-known actors.

Through the years, we've seen Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Chris Hemsworth and plenty other huge names grace our screens as various superheroes in capes, cowls and various other cool-looking get-ups. But one star who hasn't ever had the MCU come knocking for him in its 13-year arc is Tom Hanks.

It turns out that Hanks, who has stolen our hearts in countless classic films over the years, such as 'The Green Mile', 'Toy Story', 'Big', 'Forrest Gump' and 'Cast Away', might not have ever been considered for a role in Kevin Feige's ever-expanding movie universe. Hanks said so much in a recent interview.

Speaking with Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes on their podcast 'SmartLess', Tom Hanks said that if he ever did get an MCU, it probably wouldn't be one of the superheroes, either. He said: "Here's the problem... First of all, they've never called me once. Nope, never.

"And I think that if one of these days they will, they'd say, 'Is there any way you'd consider playing a secretary of defence?' (laughs)

"Ya know, a guy who comes and says, 'Please, help us Ultraman, we can't survive!' I'd be one of those guys. I don't get to play the punk..."

Given that Hanks is now 65-years-old, his presumption of the role he'd likely get if he were ever offered a role in the MCU is probably an inaccurate one. With his blockbuster cinematic presence, maybe he could play an elder God from some realm or planet tucked away in the far corner of space somewhere - that would be a much better fit for the actor than some forgettable secretary of defence. Let's not forget that 70-year-old Kurt Russell played an entire planet in 'Guardians of the Galaxy 2'.

Apart from the 'Toy Story' franchise, Hanks does have another Disney project on the way. Disney+'s live-action 'Pinocchio' will see him play the role of Geppetto, who raises his wooden puppet as his own son. The film will also star Luke Evans, Cynthia Erivo, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Keegan Michael-Key and will release in 2022.