Remember when we thought it was weird that Chris Evans could play both the Human Torch in "Fantastic Four," and Steve Rogers in "Captain America" for Marvel Studios? It could've been even weirder, thanks to this man:

That's birthday boy John Krasinski, who turns 36 today. In an alternate universe, we would mark the occasion by listing off the many reasons why he's the perfect Captain America — unless, you know, he wasn't very good at all.

Point is, the erstwhile Jim Halpert was once one of the men Marvel was eyeing to wield the shield as the star-spangled Avenger.

Back in early 2010, Krasinski was one of the lead contenders for "Captain America: The First Avenger," alongside folks like Chace Crawford of "Gossip Girl" and Scott Porter of "Friday Night Lights" fame. Some reports pegged Krasinski as the frontrunner, too, until Evans entered the picture late in the game and set the internet aflame.

Can you picture it? Instead of the epic kiss between Evans and Hayley Atwell…

We almost got a kiss of Jim and Pam levels of romance.

Cap wasn't the only Marvel role Krasinski was linked to once upon a time, either. There was a short-lived rumor that he was one of the actors meeting with Marvel for the lead role in what was, at the time, considered to be a pretty big longshot…

…Star-Lord in "Guardians of the Galaxy." Forget Marvel Cinematic Universe history; how would cinematic history at large have changed if Krasinski was Star-Lord instead of Chris Pratt? Would he have been the dude hanging out with velociraptors this past summer?

As it is, the Krasinski-Marvel rumors aren't entirely dead today, even if they're centered on another person in his family. His wife, Emily Blunt, is often mentioned by fans as a top choice to play Carol Danvers in "Captain Marvel."

Maybe there's a Marvel future in the former "Office" star's household after all — just not his future. That said, the Marvel Universe is only getting bigger and bigger with each passing movie, and it's only a matter of time before every actor in Hollywood gets their shot at the tights… even Dwight.