The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been going strong for over a decade, but it still has untapped potential among the comic company’s many heroes and characters. But the MCU isn’t the only media company pushing out Marvel’s beloved characters. Studios like Sony have also had the opportunity to expand their repertoire with the comic book superheroes.
There’s always room for more. With comics and superheroes jumping into the mainstream, filmmakers and movie studios can take more chances with lesser-known characters. Today’s pop culture is incomplete without a discussion of heroes that have yet to take their place on the screen.
Captain Britain
In Avengers: Endgame Peggy Carter mentions that Braddock hasn’t been heard from. In the comics, Brian Braddock is Captain Britain. There’s only been speculation and rumors, but the MCU is prime to introduce the hero born to protect the multiverse.
Captain Britain gains his super strength and durability by touching the Arthurian Amulet of Right, an origin story that gives the MCU the chance to play with Arthurian legends. His powers might compare to that of Captain America, but he’s a totally different character to introduce to the masses.
Hercules
The success with Thor’s character across the Avengers films and his solo movies sets Marvel up to work with the Greek mythological hero. In Marvel’s version of Hercules, he’s the son of Zeus and Alcmena of Thebes. He’s raised as a mortal with superhuman powers.
The comics depict many of his escapades in much the same way the Greek mythology does. But this version of Hercules diverges when the Enchantress takes him out of his time and into the present to defeat her foes, the Avengers. It’s a fun story to work with.
Namor the Sub-Mariner
Namor may seem like an Aquaman copycat, but his origins and powers are slightly different. The half-human, half-Atlantean hybrid is often cited as Marvel’s first mutant. His ties to the Black Panther and Wakanda make him a prime candidate for the MCU to introduce.
In fact, many fans already speculate that Marvel has hinted at his arrival. Okoye’s remarks about earthquakes beneath the ocean in her report to Natasha at the beginning of Endgame have some comic book fans wondering if Namor is finally making his big-screen debut.
Tigra
Greer Grant’s transformation into the superhero Tigra comes from both scientific and mystical origins. The combination of science and magic is not Marvel’s first foray into the concept, as posited by Thor.
A werecat might sound like a cheesy character to bring to the screen, but her constant inner battle between human and beast is a familiar story that audiences always root for. Plus, seeing some real fangs and claws on a superhero as part of her physiology would look really cool on the big screen.
Power Man
Specifically, Victor Alvarez should make an on-screen appearance. This would be an interesting addition to the film or TV canon for Marvel, as Victor is the son of Shades, a villain that played a major role in Netflix’s Daredevil. That connection could be an interesting way to bring Netflix’s Marvel universe together with other properties, even if the streaming network’s shows are done.
But more than that, it’s a wonderful way to bring another Afro-Latinx superhero to the big or small screen. He could join the ranks of Miles Morales from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Vance Astrovik
As part of the Guardians of the Galaxy stories in the comic books, Vance Astrovik has the chance to make an appearance among Star-Lord and friends. Known as the superhero Justice, Vance Astrovik is a mutant with telekinetic powers.
The MCU hasn’t seen too much telekinesis among its characters, so this could be a power that would be fun to add to a team dynamic. But its the story of how those powers caused a great tragedy in his life that would resonate with audiences.
Wonder Man
Simon Williams’ character in the Marvel comics is complex and messy. Starting as the son of an industrialist who takes over the family business, a series of bad choices leads to the events that give him his powers. When he becomes Wonder Man, he succumbs to his darker tendencies, turning into a villain.
But the Avengers manage to bring him to the side of good. That constant battle between the light and dark within him makes Wonder Man a great character to work with on screen.
Angela
Thor: Ragnarok already included Hela, calling her Odin’s firstborn. But in the comics, Angela, born Aldrif Odinsdottir, is the firstborn to Odin and Freyja.
The Queen of Angels took the baby to blackmail Odin but failed. She supposedly killed Aldrif but did not succeed. The Queen’s handmaiden Loriel saw that Aldrif lived and took the child in as her own, raising her as an angel named Angela. This story is too good to keep to the page. It’s high time Marvel brought her to the big screen.
Phyla-Vell
The daughter of Mar-Vell has gone by a few names, like Quasar and Martyr, but no matter what name she donned, her powers and story were always compelling. Being a Kree/Eternal hybrid made Phyla-Vell an incredibly powerful being with extraordinary abilities.
The story of fighting her brother would surely be a heartwrenching tale to tell. Plus, her romantic relationship with Moondragon gives the MCU the chance to course-correct with its queer representation. There are so many stories with her to work with from the Marvel comics.
Manifold
The Australian aboriginal Eden Fesi developed Inhuman powers after exposure to Terrigenesis. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. may be coming to an end, but the Marvel show already alluded to the hero in a classified document that appeared on screen for all but a few seconds. He could still show in the final season as a way to bring back the Secret Warriors.
In the comics, Manifold is classified as a mutant with the power of spatial teleportation. Adding this X-Men connection to one of the films featuring Marvel characters would be a great way to add some diversity to the superhero canon on screen.
