Now that Marvel has officially moved on from most of the original Avengers, it’s time to speculate who could be on their way to the MCU. We already know that many of the existing characters are set to get the sequel movies (Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Dr. Strange) but that doesn’t mean that new characters aren’t on their way. Quite the contrary actually.
Marvel is very interested in bringing new characters into their Universe. In fact, they have already announced two new solo movies featuring newcomers to the MCU in Shang-Chi and the Enternals. Just because those are the only two new solo entries doesn’t mean that there’s no room for other newbies.
And that’s what I’d like to focus on…the newbies. More specifically, I’d like to focus on who I think will/should be introduced into the MCU. Here are the top 10 Marvel characters who should be in the MCU.
List of Marvel characters who should be in the MCU:
10. Gambit
For reasons that are very selfish, Marvel should prioritize Gambit over many of the other X-Men and here’s why.
Gambit, unlike Wolverine, Storm, Cyclops, Magneto, Mystique, Beast, and Charles Xavier, hasn’t been overly exposed to the world. The above mentioned have been in practically every X-Men movie to date and to bring them in before new blood would be a mistake. The world knows Wolverine and his friends. It doesn’t know Gambit (I don’t count X-Men Origins: Wolverine as exposure). There is a theory out there known as Superhero Fatigue and using Gambit means that fatigue won’t grow.
Look, at the end of the day Marvel can do whatever they want and if they don’t want to use Gambit, so be it. However, if they choose not to, they are missing out on a real opportunity.
9. Sentry
Sentry is a tricky one. Not tricky in the sense of introducing him but tricky in the sense of what to do with him.
Let me explain.
Sentry is one of, if not the most overpowered character in Marvel’s line up. He possesses, and bear with me:
- Molecular Manipulation
- Superhuman speed, strength, durability, and stamina
- Invulnerability
- Creation of life
- Soul manipulation
- Telepathy
- Heals from practically anything
- Flight
- Enhanced senses
- Death touch
- Resurrection
- Matter manipulation
- Reality warping
- Light and dark manipulation
- Emotion manipulation
- Energy reflection and attack
- Energy absorption/projection
- Teleportation
- Detection of aura
- Give and take power
- Psionic abilities
- Astral Projection
- Weather manipulation
- Invisibility
- Immortality
- Mind/thoughts projection
- Shape-shifting
- Mind control resistance
- Superior Intellect
And the list goes on.
Basically, Sentry is Marvel’s answer to Superman. Bringing him into the MCU is a no-brainer. Figuring out how to use him when he could beat any villain in existence, well, that’s a problem.
8. Angela
This one may be a little on the tricky side. After a long dispute, Angela was plucked from Image Comics (where she was created) and given to Marvel Comics (where she currently resides). The usage of her character isn’t entirely known but if she’s allowed to be in the MCU, she should be.
Angela has ties to Asgard, is the (not so) secret sister of both Thor and Loki, and once Queen of the underworld, Hel.
But it doesn’t end there.
Marvel has also spun the character to be an important part of the LGBT community. With Kevin Feige already saying that he’s adding an LGBT character, who better to add than Angela? Therefore, Angela is one of the superheroes who should be in the MCU.
7. Phyla-Vell
Of all the characters in Marvel, none may have the lineage that Phyla-Vell has. She is half Kree and half Titan. This means that she has immense power and can change the course of the MCU in the blink of an eye.
During her time as a hero, she has wielded the Quantum Bands, controls the Quantum Sword, and has played a major part in most modern day galactic events. More than that, Phyla-Vell is a no brainer for the MCU because introducing her would be easy. It’s already widely known that the MCU plans to explore the cosmos and very few characters know the cosmos like Phyla-Vell.
6. Thunderbolts
Just think about the absurdity of the Thunderbolts. A group of villains parading as heroes so as to gain public trust. Granted, not all incarnations of the Thunderbolts follow this well thought out plan, but most do.
The original Thunderbolts consisted of Baron Zemo, Goliath, Beetle, Fixer, and Screaming Mimi. Since then fan-favorite characters like Black Widow, Winter Soldier, Hawkeye, and Venom have joined at one point or another.
The MCU could use a team like the Thunderbolts to change the perception of what it means to be a hero.
And why?
Simple. Their current formula, while working very well, needs a refresher before people begin to lose interest. Like Guardians of the Galaxy before them, the Thunderbolts could be that refresher.
5. Silver Surfer
Now that the Fantastic Four are firmly at Disney, the MCU should be looking at bringing the Silver Surfer into the fold.
And why?
Because along with the Silver Surfer often comes one of their most menacing villains, Galactus.
The Silver Surfer is the Herald of Galactus and his sole job is to find worlds for Galactus to feed on. As the Herald, he is imbued with the Power Cosmic. This means that he can travel at the speed of light, has enhanced strength, durability, stamina, and reflexes, is able to time travel, can create stars and black holes, can use both telepathy and teleportation, and so much more.
The Silver Surfer is a must have addition to the MCU not just for all the above reasons. He’s a must have addition because there are very few characters who are made for modern day digital technology like him.
4. Beta Ray Bill
I know what you’re thinking. Although not in living and breathing form, Betta Ray Bill has already appeared in the MCU. For any who missed it, Betta Ray Bill’s head was shown in Thor Ragnarok, thereby confirming his existence.
Betta Ray Bill is the perfect character to join and represent Asgard. Above being one of the most interesting characters to look like Thor but not named Thor, Betta Ray Bill has wielded Mjolnir, is good to the core and has more galactic adventures than nearly anybody already in the MCU. If Marvel is truly done with Chris Hemsworth after the fourth Thor movie, aside from Jane Foster, who better to replace him than Betta Ray Bill?
3. Namor
It’s widely believed that Namor is on his way. After all, seeing the success of Aquaman and his Atlantis should spark Marvel to use Namor and their Atlantis.
Namor is the son of the human Leonard McKenzie and Fen of Atlantis. After Leonard inadvertently attacked Atlantis, the King sent Fen to find the source of the attack. What he didn’t realize was that after meeting, Fen and Leonard fell in love and conceived a child. That child, Namor, grew to hate and love humanity.
Marvel has nearly exhausted what they can do on the Earth’s surface. For this very reason, delving deep into the ocean below should be the next logical step.
2. Nova
The first Guardians of the Galaxy teased us with the inclusion of the Nova Corps. The movie showed exactly what they are capable of and showed us why they are the galactic police force of Marvel Comics. However, for all that they did, they left out their greatest member.
There isn’t a character in Marvel’s catalog that’s been as requested as Nova. Nova is a 1990s creation and although he didn’t achieve mainstream popularity right away, he did cement himself on the hearts of all who read him.
If Marvel is looking to introduce him, there is no better event to do it in than the Annihilation Event…but that doesn’t seem to be happening anytime soon. So, instead of waiting for the perfect event, Marvel just needs to bring him in. Until they do, Nova will remain one of my superheroes who should be in the MCU.
1. Warlock
The internet was set ablaze by the end credits scene in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. In it, the confirmation of Warlock’s existence was made. After the realization that he existed, people, myself included, began to fantasize about what capacity Warlock would be used in going forward. Selfishly, I hoped for some sort of rendition of the Magus Saga.
Warlock is a near-lock for the MCU because he brings the complexity needed in it. I’m not saying that the MCU isn’t complex. What I’m saying is that it needs a character whose morals and ideals clash with the heroes it currently has. Created by Jim Starlin, Warlock became an outlet to talk about many real world issues. The MCU, while great, could take the time to ground itself in real world issues.
And that’s it. The top 10 Marvel characters who should be in the MCU. What do you think? Agree? Disagree? Who would make your superheroes who should be in the MCU list?
