As a long-time Marvel fan and someone who’s seen more than their fair share of superhero movies, it’s clear that there are several characters in the MCU who haven’t quite reached their full potential yet. One character that immediately comes to mind is James Rhodes, or War Machine as we know him. Don Cheadle has brought a unique charm and depth to the role, but it feels like he’s been somewhat overshadowed by his fellow Avengers.
Over the past 15 years, I’ve been on an incredible ride through the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with Iron Man’s first flight by Robert Downey Jr. It’s been amazing to see the universe expand and introduce a plethora of characters in movies and shows. However, there are some beloved characters who haven’t had enough time to shine as much as we’d like. Today, let’s discuss the MCU characters that deserve more screen time than they’ve received so far.
Valkyrie
Following the less than favorable response to Thor: The Dark World, the character of Thor experienced a stunning resurgence in 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok. Notably, the third Thor film benefited greatly from the introduction of Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie, who quickly won over fans with her sharp wit and exceptional acting skills. However, despite the widespread admiration for Valkyrie, she has mostly been relegated to the background in all subsequent appearances.
Captain Carter
In essence, Hayley Atwell’s character, Peggy Carter, initially appeared in a TV series on ABC during the early stages of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), titled Agent Carter. Watching this series sparked my desire to see more of her. This was further fueled when she made a brief live-action appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and an animated one in What If? Captain America. Peggy Carter is one of the most intriguing characters in the MCU, and her story could benefit from a more comprehensive exploration.
Maria Hill
Initially in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Cobie Smulders’ character Maria Hill was introduced as a vital figure, serving as Nick Fury’s trusted assistant in The Avengers. However, throughout the movies and TV series, she hasn’t had a significant narrative arc developed for her, despite expressing interest in taking on more roles. Her appearances in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. were limited, and she’s mostly been used for occasional humor.
Morgan Stark
Among the most poignant storylines in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was the demise of Tony Stark, even more heart-wrenching when we learned he had a child with Pepper Potts named Morgan Stark (the “I love you 3000” scene still brings tears to our eyes). Though it’s understandable to let some time pass before we revisit Morgan, it would be captivating to check in on the daughter of Iron Man and follow her journey within the MCU post-Endgame.
Jimmy Woo
Randall Park’s FBI agent character, Jimmy Woo, made his debut in 2018’s “Ant-Man and the Wasp” as Scott Lang’s probation officer. Since then, he has appeared in small roles in both “WandaVision” and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.” Despite not being a major Marvel character, Park’s comedy skills are so entertaining that I hope he gets a bigger role in the Marvel universe.
Okoye
Among the outstanding characters from “Black Panther,” Danai Gurira’s Okoye certainly stands out. She has played a pivotal role in both movies, however, if we consider screen time, she appears for approximately 13 minutes in “Black Panther” and 16 minutes in “Wakanda Forever.” Despite this, her impact is significant, making her more of a supporting character. The former general of the Dora Milaje and commander of Wakandan forces showcases an impressive strength and power, but it’s her captivating personality that truly shines. I’d eagerly watch a full movie centered around her character.
M’Baku
Winston Duke made a significant impact in the film industry, particularly through his brief appearance in “Black Panther.” Despite being on screen for just six minutes initially, he left fans eager for more due to his memorable performance. After starring as King of Wakanda in “Wakanda Forever,” it’s exciting to anticipate a future “Black Panther” project that could provide him with more substantial roles.
Adam Warlock
Ever since Will Poulter’s Adam Warlock was confirmed for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Marvel enthusiasts have been eager to witness this cosmic figure in live action. Yet, it seemed that the third Guardians film struggled with how to utilize the character effectively, and unfortunately, it’s included in our rundown of the least favorable aspects of every Marvel movie. Let’s hope for some rehabilitation for this character!
Cosmo the Spacedog
In the last “Guardians of the Galaxy” film, director James Gunn included one of Marvel’s most adorable characters, Cosmo, yet she barely appeared in the movie! This Labrador astronaut with heightened intelligence and psychic abilities is a delightful and humorous character, particularly as portrayed by Maria Bakalova. Although it appears that the “Guardians” series has concluded, I can’t help but wish for more Cosmo appearances in future projects.
Lady Sif
In the initial Thor film, Jamie Alexander’s Lady Sif was introduced as an Asgardian warrior and close companion to the Thunder God. Reminiscent of the Norse goddess who is traditionally depicted as Thor’s wife, this character had a significant yet underdeveloped presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). With approximately eight minutes screen time in the first film, her next major appearance was in an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. It would be fitting to see Lady Sif reappear in the upcoming Thor movie.
Moon Knight
It’s still puzzling to me that Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight is getting a TV series instead of a feature film. Granted, he may not be the most famous Marvel character, but considering how the studio has successfully introduced various lesser-known characters in the past, I can’t fathom why an antihero with dissociative identity disorder tied to Egyptian mythology wouldn’t have attracted more attention.
Korg
Apart from being an entertaining film by itself, “Thor: Ragnarok” also brings to life the riotously funny character of Korg, a warrior from Kronas, whom Thor encounters on Sakaar. Though Korg has had limited supporting roles in the last two Thor films, his endearing nature leaves us eager for his comeback.
Quicksilver
In “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” Aaron Taylor-Johnson portrayed Quicksilver, the sibling of Scarlet Witch. His heroic demise occurred as he selflessly protected civilians from bullets fired by Ultron. One might ponder if the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) would revive his character’s version, given the introduction of the multiverse. Interestingly, Taylor-Johnson has since moved on to embody another Marvel character in Sony’s Spider-Verse, set to appear in the “Kraven The Hunter” movie.
Wong
When “Doctor Strange” was released in 2016, Benedict Wong’s character, Wong, was introduced as the guardian of ancient mystic books. As the Marvel Cinematic Universe has advanced, Wong has been elevated to the position of Sorcerer Supreme. Given this promotion, we are contemplating ways for his character to receive more focus and potentially embark on his own adventures.
America Chavez
When it became known that America Chavez was joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), our anticipation grew to learn more about this hero, who is also known as Miss America. Xochitl Gomez played a significant role in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but we believe she deserves even greater recognition within the MCU. It’s possible that she could be part of the Young Avengers team that some fans think is gradually being established by the MCU.
Spider-Man (Tobey Maguire)
Following Tobey Maguire’s portrayal as the first major screen Spider-Man in a series of hit films, his Spider-Man made a comeback in the MCU during 2021’s “Spider-Man: No Way Home”. Although it seems like his return was mainly for nostalgic reasons, we can’t help but wish that Tobey’s Peter Parker stays within the MCU. It would be exciting to see if Sam Raimi could revive the cancelled “Spider-Man 4” movie. The ending of “Spider-Man 3” left a bitter taste, and Tobey Maguire brings such an impressive take on the superhero character.
Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield)
In Sony’s “The Amazing Spider-Man” films, Andrew Garfield portrayed an outstanding Spider-Man, but these movies were released just before Disney acquired the rights to the character. Consequently, Garfield’s rendition of the character was put on hold, making way for Tom Holland during the reboot. However, in the movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” Garfield made an appearance in the MCU. Fans are eager to see Garfield back in the MCU alongside his fellow Spider-Men, perhaps even picking up where his storyline ended.
J. Jonah Jameson
In the Spider-Man films starring Tobey Maguire, J.K. Simmons was an ideal choice to play J. Jonah Jameson. So, when the Marvel Cinematic Universe brought him on for brief appearances in Tom Holland’s movies, it wasn’t a shock. However, unlike earlier, he’s only appeared on TV screens scattered across the city. As of now, we don’t have many details about Spider-Man 4, but wouldn’t it be exciting if Peter Parker, played by Tom Holland, started working under him?
Ned Leeds
Jacob Batalon’s character Ned Leeds, who plays Spider-Man’s sidekick in the movies with Tom Holland, has been an enjoyable element in the series. Known as Peter Parker’s “right-hand man”, there is potential for exploring more of Ned’s history in future Spider-Man films. Interestingly, the comic book character, Edward Leeds, transforms into a supervillain known as the Hobgoblin!
MJ
Mary Jane Watson has consistently been a significant figure within the Spider-Man universe; however, the character hasn’t yet had a major role that transcends being just Spider-Man’s love interest. Zendaya’s portrayal of MJ marks progress in developing the character, but it leaves us pondering if Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) could explore more for her.
Dane Whitman
When it was revealed that Kit Harrington would be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Dane Whitman/Black Knight in 2019, many believed it would have a significant impact. However, his role in Eternals ended up feeling underwhelming compared to expectations, and there’s uncertainty about whether we’ll see the full potential of this compelling character who has been associated with teams like the Avengers and Defenders in the comics.
Kate Bishop
Among the outstanding Marvel TV series, it’s clear that “Hawkeye” ranks high, thanks in large part to its exceptional development of the character Kate Bishop. Hailee Steinfeld truly nailed the role of the second Hawkeye. Following her solo show, Kate made a noteworthy appearance in the mid-credits scene of “The Marvels” alongside Kamala Khan. We eagerly anticipate the MCU might elevate her status to an Avenger.
The Collector
In the initial “Guardians of the Galaxy” film, the character portrayed by Benicio del Toro as The Collector was introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Originating from Marvel comics since 1966, The Collector has an extensive backstory involving many encounters with teams like the Avengers. So far in the MCU, Del Toro’s character has made only brief appearances.
Zeus
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the ruler of the gods, Zeus, has made his appearance. In the movie “Thor: Love and Thunder,” Russell Crowe portrayed the legendary figure from Greek mythology. Given the grandeur of the character and Crowe’s exceptional acting skills, fans are eager for more screen time featuring Zeus in future MCU productions.
Luis
In the film “Ant-Man,” Michael Peña provided plenty of chuckles to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with his character, Luis. Unlike other characters, Luis doesn’t have a comic book background and is essentially just an ordinary guy who was once Scott Lang’s cellmate. Despite this simple backstory, Luis is so naturally funny that we’ve found ourselves yearning for more of him recently. It was disappointing not to see him in the third Ant-Man movie.
Namor
In the sequel to “Black Panther,” viewers were acquainted with Namor, the ruler of the underwater realm of Talokan. Tenoch Huerta delivered a remarkable performance as the antagonist in “Wakanda Forever.” Although he was ostensibly defeated by Shuri in the film, Namor remains alive and his character is captivating enough to warrant additional scenes.
Heimdall
It’s a shame that Idris Elba’s Heimdall died in Avengers: Infinity War, because the Asgardian gatekeeper was never really given much of a role in the MCU. The character could sustain a movie on his own considering what he does on Asgard, but here’s hoping he is still afforded the chance.
James “Rhodey” Rhodes
In “Iron Man 2”, Don Cheadle’s character, James Rhodes, made his debut, taking over from Terrance Howard who played the role in the first film. Rhodes has since joined the Avengers as War Machine/Iron Patriot, but he’s often overshadowed by other team members. However, it seems that Rhodes is set to take center stage in his own movie titled “Armor Wars”, a development that would definitely be fitting for such an underappreciated character.
Madisynn King
As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, let me tell you about the riotously funny character born in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, none other than Madisynn, portrayed brilliantly by Patty Guggenheim in “She-Hulk”. Now, hold on because this Madisynn isn’t who you might think! She has a unique spelling with two ‘n’s and one ‘y’.
Sharon Carter
Sharon Carter, played by Emily VanCamp, has appeared in two “Captain America” films and an episode of “What If…?” alongside “The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.” However, it seems that her character hasn’t been fully utilized within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). A more integrated role for her might strengthen her connection to the universe.
Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Julia Louis-Dreyfuss plays Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who holds the position of CIA director. She’s made appearances in recent MCU installments and is slated to join the cast of Thunderbolts. At present, she hasn’t been developed enough for audiences to deeply care about her, so let’s hope the MCU does justice to her character by providing more focus on her in future projects.
Hulk
Did you know that Hulk, one of the original Avengers, has never had his own standalone project? It’s astonishing! Despite making a significant impact on the main Avengers storyline, the incredible performance by Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner warrants a solo exploration of his character.
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2024-12-18 23:38