10 Forgotten Avengers Characters That Will Surprise You

The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which began in 2008 with Iron Man, is renowned for its remarkable characters who have become iconic figures in their own right. However, after numerous films, some characters tend to recede into the shadows. Initially, when the MCU debuted, it was acclaimed for focusing on less popular characters. Apart from Spider-Man and Hulk, who were already well-known from the Marvel comics, the MCU introduced several other heroes who eventually achieved similar recognition.

In my perspective, it’s undeniably evident that characters such as the Guardians of the Galaxy and Shang-Chi, not to mention those without superpowers like Michael Peña’s Luis in Ant-Man, Madisynn from She-Hulk, and Phil Coulson from the Iron Man films and The Avengers, have left a lasting impression. Yet, it’s unfortunate that there are numerous other characters who make a notable appearance in the Avengers movies, yet seem to vanish as soon as the end credits begin to roll.

10. Helen Cho – Avengers: Age Of Ultron

In the movie “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Tony Stark and Bruce Banner collaborate to create the malevolent AI named Ultron, who later attempts to eliminate the Avengers. Initially in the plot, a character called Dr. Helen Cho is introduced, as her groundbreaking studies offer hope for Hawkeye’s recovery. This role becomes crucial throughout the narrative, particularly when she survives an early attack by an Ultron machine.

In the story, Ultron eventually utilizes the Mind Stone hidden within Loki’s scepter to manipulate Quicksilver’s mind, forcing him to construct a body for Ultron. Luckily, Wanda Maximoff uncovers Ultron’s sinister plan to eradicate mankind, liberating Quicksilver and causing the connection between Ultron and his body to be severed. This paves the way for Vision’s creation. However, despite Quicksilver surviving throughout the film and being offered a position with the Avengers at their base, his character seems to have been largely overlooked in subsequent films.

9. Holt – Thunderbolts*/The New Avengers

In the latest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Thunderbolts” has been released, making it challenging to foresee which characters will reappear and which ones might depart. However, a key figure in the film is Holt, who previously collaborated with Valentina Allegra de Fontaine for the O.X.E. Group. In the movie, he’s summoned to eliminate the rogue assassins who miraculously survived their facility explosion, but his role primarily revolves around this mission.

From my perspective as a captivated viewer, it seems intriguing that this influential military figure, who played such a significant role in the initial stages of the film, seemingly fades from the narrative after the halfway point. Despite this, his actions and his troops’ confrontation with Bob Reynolds are crucial to the storyline. These events underscore Bob’s hidden power and serve as a testament to Valentina’s relentless pursuit of her former comrades in arms.

8. The Other – The Avengers

In two Marvel films, The Other makes an appearance, yet it’s understandable if you’re not familiar with their identity. In “The Avengers,” The Other is unveiled as Thanos’ personal attendant and a go-between for figures such as Loki. It was this character who facilitated the provision of Chitauri for Loki’s attack on New York, and later recruited Ronan the Accuser to satisfy their master and bring about chaos across the cosmos.

As a dedicated movie buff, I can’t help but reflect on the enigmatic character known as The Other. Despite their significant role in shaping events within the Infinity Saga, particularly in Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Infinity War, they seem to have vanished without much recognition or acknowledgment for their crucial contributions. Though Thanos’ Black Order left a lasting impression during their time on screen, The Other has become a footnote by the film’s conclusion, fading from memory all too quickly.

7. Peter Parker’s Classmates – Avengers: Infinity War

Regarding the film “Avengers: Infinity War“, when Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian arrive in New York, two members of the Black Order, Peter Parker (who was initially on a school bus with his friends), springs into action. He recognizes the predicament while seated on the bus, then exits through the window and gets ready for duty. Notably, the bus has acquainted faces like Ned Leeds and Michelle Jones, but there are also several other students who were previously seen in movies such as “Spider-Man: Homecoming“.

Although these characters make an appearance in just one scene of the film, their ultimate fate and whether they were affected by the blip remains unclear due to the complex plotlines and numerous story threads present in Infinity War. Given the movie’s extensive content, it’s understandable that a bus full of school children might not have stood out as prominently among the other elements.

6. Akihiko – Avengers: Endgame

Transitioning to the final chapter of the Infinity Saga, the film Avengers: Endgame portrays the events following the snap, five years on. In the wreckage that remains, our heroes have each embarked on separate journeys. Clint Barton, grappling with the devastating loss of his family, has taken up a new identity as the relentless vigilante, Ronin.

In the role of Ronin, Clint pursues individuals he deems unworthy of surviving the snap, such as Akihiko, a Yakuza leader. Despite being a criminal and a villain, Akihiko serves primarily as a prop to depict Clint’s grief and fury in the movie. The ruthless manner in which Clint eliminates him sheds light on his motivations throughout the film.

5. Georgi Luchkov – The Avengers

In the movie The Avengers, there’s a minor character named Georgi Luchkov who shows up for a moment. This is when he has taken prisoner Natasha Romanoff (also known as Black Widow). However, rather than being intimidated or giving in to Luchkov’s demands, she manages to break free from her restraints and promptly defeats her captors after receiving a call from Coulson instructing her to fetch the “heavyweight” – none other than the Hulk.

Although initially portrayed as a formidable character, Luchkov ultimately serves as a mere piece in the narrative puzzle. This role perfectly paves the way for Natasha’s extraordinary abilities to shine, but unfortunately, by the onset of the following scene, he fades into insignificance and becomes easily forgettable. Fortunately, his forgettability suggests that he wasn’t particularly notable or worthy of long-term memory in the grand scheme of things.

4. Jack Rollins – Avengers: Endgame

In “Avengers: Endgame,” a time-travel storyline brings some characters back to significant events in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s past. For instance, Captain America steps into an earlier era of SHIELD and encounters several agents who were actually HYDRA spies in disguise. Among these hidden enemies, one stands out – Brock Rumlow, also known as Crossbones.

Yet, it’s worth noting that Brock wasn’t a lone wolf in his assignments. Frequently, another agent, Jack Rollins, was at his side. This individual was as relentless and eager to demonstrate his prowess against Captain America, with Brock Rumlow often stealing the limelight. Jack can be seen in both “Captain America: The Winter Soldier” and “Avengers: Endgame”, but in both instances, he is eclipsed by characters such as Brock.

3. Houston – Thunderbolts*/The New Avengers

In the initial sequences of *Thunderbolts*, Houston makes a brief appearance, only to be soon overlooked just as swiftly. When Yelena is tasked with detonating an O.X.E. laboratory in Kuala Lumpur, she efficiently subdues one worker there and proceeds with her mission of destroying evidence. However, Houston, who happens to be a doctor at the lab, attempts to alert her about the consequences of the experiment he was conducting.

In disregard of Houston’s counsel, a skilled and indifferent assassin named Yelena pressed on with her task, ultimately detonating the lab. If she had listened to Houston, she could have established a connection with Bob Reynolds sooner, in safer conditions, potentially saving him from Valentina. Unfortunately, Yelena learned this lesson too late, and Houston paid the price for it.

2. Maria Hill – Avengers: Infinity War

In “Avengers: Infinity War,” a multitude of characters succumbed to the blip’s effects, which resulted in half of all life in the universe disintegrating into nothingness. During this time, the Avengers were not only battling Thanos but also dealing with the aftermath and trying to limit the damage. However, due to the collapse of SHIELD and the extensive Sokovia Accords, they found themselves isolated from many of their former allies within government circles.

In my humble opinion, as a movie critic, the writers took an unexpected turn with Maria Hill’s character in this latest Avengers installment. Previously, she had been instrumental in uniting and guiding the Avengers under Nick Fury to tackle colossal threats. However, when the Blip commenced, her character was taken aback, leaving us, the audience, on edge alongside her and Fury, as we sought answers.

Unfortunately, Hill’s screen time was limited in this film, making it her most fleeting and, regrettably, forgettable performance compared to her memorable roles in previous Avengers films.

1. Hulk’s Fans – Avengers: Endgame

In reference to “Avengers: Endgame”, Bruce Banner developed a strategy five years following the blip that enabled him to merge his intellect with the Hulk’s colossal physique. This resulted in Smart Hulk, a character known for his exceptional intelligence, who garnered some recognition within the community. This is particularly evident when Hulk visits a local diner and encounters a group of children eager to take a selfie with him.

Although the humorous scene with Hulk is brief and the children who interact with him don’t reappear, it serves to introduce a new reality that the characters are living in. While these transient characters might be easily forgotten, they play significant roles in advancing the storyline within the Avengers series.

2025-06-08 01:00