Even before the Disney-Fox deal fans were eagerly waiting to see who would be introduced next. Now that the deal is done the MCU has the possibility of injecting more energy in its already massive universe.
The 25 characters are listed in no particular order.
Deadpool
Wade Wilson is an easy win for Marvel Studios. Having Deadpool break the fourth wall in the MCU would be terrific to watch. Marvel Studios may have to create another label for Deadpool’s content. Yet, Bob Iger has confirmed on multiple occasions that Deadpool is in the company’s plans.
Deadpool could have many stories within the MCU. Just like how Deadpool 2 was about him “wanting to die like Wolverine.” Deadpool could have a story about how he wants his film to cross a billion dollars like Captain Marvel and Black Panther. We could even see him potentially team up with Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, or just an introductory of the Merc with a mouth into the MCU. Plenty of Disney jokes would follow.
(Not to mention if Disney has trouble selling New Avengers down the line they could add Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool to boost the star power)
X-23
The character made her big screen debut in Fox’s Logan. She is a clone and later the adoptive daughter of Wolverine. The character had tons of potential in the Fox universe and hopefully, the team at Marvel Studios utilize her in some sort of capacity.
Cable
Could Josh Brolin play two major characters in the MCU? I say why not. Cable is a unique character. A time traveling soldier and a friend to Deadpool. Cable could also help bridge the gap between the Mutants and the current MCU landscape.
Adam Warlock
At the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2. One of the post-credits tease a superior being named “Adam.” That Adam is Adam Warlock, and he is one of the more popular characters from Marvel Comics. Adam Warlock played a pivotal role in the original comic book Infinity Gauntlet.
Now the character is rumored to appear in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3. Especially now considering the rehiring of writer-director James Gunn, who was clearly setting up the angle.
Adam Warlock will play a gigantic role in the cosmic expansion of the MCU, and I can’t wait to see him arrive.
Silver Surfer
Another important character from the Fox universe. He’s had partnerships with both The Avengers and Fantastic Four. The character could play a role in the cosmic expansion of the universe.
Kang the Conqueror/Nathaniel Richards
Kang the Conqueror could be the next Thanos like villain if they want him to be. There have been many versions of Kang but if they go the Nathaniel Richards route with him being a descendant of Reed Richards that would make some fun storytelling. Maybe have Nathaniel Richards as Iron Lad start Young Avengers? There are so many routes they can take Kang, and a time-traveling villain would be fitting for this ever-expanding universe.
Moon Knight
The story of Marc Spector is a fascinating one, and many were hoping the character would receive an edgy Netflix series. Spector goes from heavyweight boxer to U.S Marine to a mercenary. Spector gets into a fight Bushman, another mercenary, and is left to die in the sub-zero temperatures in the desert.
The Egyptian moon god Khonshu gives Spector a second chance at life as long as he becomes god’s avatar on Earth. Spector becomes Moon Knight. Moon Knight has superhuman powers and has often been compared to DC Comics Batman.
Namor
This one is tricky due to a contractual situation with Universal Studios similar to The Hulk character rights. Although Namor could play a massive role in the underwater universe of Marvel. Namor is also a mutant. Namor also represents Atlantis in the Marvel group Illuminati. Maybe he’s more of an MCU side character considering DC’s Aquaman.
Miles Morales (down the line)
The reason why Miles Morales should come in down the line is due to the fact Tom Holland’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man is supposed to have a Harry Potter-like series within the MCU. So Miles Morales as a new Spider-Man can be introduced later on due to the fact for the first time we have a Spider-Man that could end up playing the role for twenty years.
Miles Morales has proved his popularity in comics and in 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel)
This could be a similar situation to Miles Morales. Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel has just been introduced. Although Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige revealed there are plans for Kamala Khan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Kamala Khan is a popular hero in the current day comics. She Marvel’s first Muslim character to headline her own series. Khan is a Pakistani-American from Jersey City, New Jersey. She has shapeshifting abilities and has Inhumans genes.
Norman Osborn
There are many reasons why Norman Osborn should join the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’s one of the greatest comic book villains of all time, nemesis to Spider-Man, and could potentially set up the next big arc for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The possibility for a Dark Reign (and Dark Avengers)would be possible.
The MCU taking on this complex villain would be fun to watch. Maybe Peter Parker meets Norman Osborn at Oscorp down the line or maybe he meets his son Harry? Tons of potential in the universe.
Osborn has gone under many aliases over the years. From the Green Goblin to Iron Patriot.
J. Jonah Jameson
Speaking of another classic Spider-Man character. This isn’t an urgent character to put in the MCU considering how Spider-Man’s current story is unfolding. Although it would be fun to see the Daily Bugle and J. Jonah Jameson get referenced. Maybe down the line, I have a feeling with Spider-Man going the Harry Potter route we will get plenty of films.
Nova
Richard Rider could provide some fun in the cosmic side of the MCU. His origin story is wild, and it involves the destruction of Xandar. So, there is a good possibility that Nova is already in the MCU we just haven’t met him yet. Xandar is also a fantastic spot the MCU should continue to explore.
Nova can open wormholes, has superhuman strength and speed, and he can also fly.
The Sentry
The Sentry is a super powerful hero, and his whole story was that the world forgot about him. Robert Reynolds, a struggling drug addict, unknowingly takes a serum that gives him incredible powers. Similar to Moon Knight some felt maybe a Netflix series (now Hulu probably) would fit these type of characters. The Sentry would be a wild addition to the MCU. A forgotten hero that comes back? Sign me up.
Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill has wielded Mjolnir and Stormbreaker. Scientist transferred his consciousness into a carnivorous like body. Beta Ray Bill has superhuman powers and an expanded life span due to the highly advanced genetic engineering.
Beta Ray Bill was in an early draft for Thor: Ragnarok but they felt it wouldn’t give the character justice. Maybe Beta Ray Bill appears in a Ragnarok sequel or the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3?
Hercules
Hercules is based on Heracles from Greek and Roman mythology. So yes, he is similar to the other Hercules stories you’ve heard before. He possesses the typical Olympian god powers. He’s a member of The Avengers and he likes to drink beer. Hercules may already be on his way to the MCU for The Eternals. Still, this would add another interesting and mythical character into the MCU.
Goliath (Bill Foster)
Yes, Bill Foster is already in the MCU but we haven’t had the opportunity to see him suit up (or grow) as Goliath. We know he has somewhat of a friendship with Hank Pym and Janet van Dyne. Maybe we could see this character in a prequel series.
Ka-Zar
Ka-Zar debuted in the X-Men comic in 1965. Ka-Zar takes place in the Savage Land which is a tropical, dinosaur-filled destination located in Anartica but hidden from the outside world by extraterrestrials. It’s another area similar to Wakanda that could be introduced to the MCU. Ka-Zar has great survival and fighting skills. Also, the savage land could sell an entire X-Men film for sure.
Spider-Woman
There have been multiple Spider-Woman’s. Spider-Gwen was popular in Into the Spider-Verse. Jessica Drew rose to prominence once again also. Another MCU version of Spider-Man would be fun down the line. Especially any of the Spider-Woman characters that haven’t been explored. This could also be a way to introduce the MCU multiverse.
Baymax & Big Hero 6
Similar to the film Big Hero 6 from Walt Disney Animation, Baymax was created by Hiro to be his bodyguard and friend. Some may be shocked to learn Big Hero 6 was a Marvel comic and Baymax is technically a Marvel character. The animated film was loosely inspired by the comics though San Fransokyo does not exist in the Marvel universe. Baymax and Big Hero 6 were Japan’s sanctioned superhero team. Baymax of the comics could become a dragon and wasn’t always this lovable marshmallow character. Maybe Baymax and Big Hero 6 will be acknowledged in the MCU even if it’s just a mention but if the MCU wants to continue to be ever-expanding and forever this would be the amount of digging they would have to do.
The Skrulls
The Skrulls are shapeshifting aliens. They appeared in Captain Marvel but the story I want from The Skrulls is Secret Invasion. Where The Skrulls infiltrated Earth and took over many heroes likeness. The groundwork for a Skrull invasion was set in Captain Marvel, and it is possible that in Phases 4 and 5 we see more of the shapeshifting aliens.
Juggernaut
He is the step-brother of Professor X. We saw the character in Deadpool 2 but the character could be an easy villain for the X-Men whenever they start their MCU journey. Juggernaut and Professor X would be a wild story to see play out in the MCU. This would be another way to redo the Fox Marvel characters by creating better stories with them overall.
Galactus
If the Marvel Cinematic Universe ever starts to miss a powerful cosmic villain overseeing all the action like Thanos. They could easily do a story arc with Galactus. He fuels himself by eating planets and he was once a mortal. Galactus would be an intense battle for the MCU heroes. (Not to mention I’m sure we get more Celestial characters in the next phases).
Wolverine
This is a pretty easy call for the MCU. Wolverine would be fantastic interacting with more character other than the X-Men. Having a violent character even join the New Avengers would be a bold step for the future of the MCU. There is still a lot of Wolverine stories Marvel can still tell even post-Logan. Even though the plot of Logan could eventually work in the MCU if they wanted it. What happens in a world where the people trust the superheroes but they hate the mutants? Wolverine and the rest of the X-Men will provide the necessary A-list characters for the MCU in a post-Captain America/Iron Man world.
Professor X
Professor X has the potential to be one of the next wise MCU characters for the foreseeable future. Professor X is part of the Marvel group the Illuminati which may still happen in the MCU. His leadership will be integral to the introduction of the X-Men. Similar to all the characters I mentioned above Professor X has plenty of stories that should be told. Also, just having Professor X interact with characters like Hank Pym and Doctor Strange was unthinkable a few years ago.
Marvel Month- Celebrating the Greatness of Marvel Entertainment
Zach Perilstein is the Editor-in-Chief of the Boardwalk Times
