As the Marvel Cinematic Universe progresses further into Phase 4, additional Marvel characters from around the Marvel Universe are being revealed. Some, such as Tatiana Maslany’s She-Hulk, have been long delayed, while others, such as “Eternals,” introduce casual fans to some of the more hidden corners of Marvel Comics. The Marvel miniseries that are available on Disney+ allow Marvel to do in-depth explorations of both classic and contemporary characters, such as Wanda Maximoff in “WandaVision” and Kamala Khan in “Ms. Marvel.”
“Moon Knight,” a new series on Disney+, takes place in a distinct universe from the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and centers on a hero from the comics who is not particularly well-known and has no present connections to the other MCU properties. After “Iron Man” in 2008, Marvel handed spectators its first serious character study with the introduction of Marc Spector as a standalone character. Marc Spector was a former United States Marine who had become the servant of an Egyptian divinity. Oscar Isaac and Ethan Hawke, who play leading roles on the program, found this to be an extremely appealing aspect.
Given how well “Moon Knight” has been received, it is not hard to imagine that Marvel will produce further works along these lines in the future. There are a great number of good guys and bad guys spread out around the Marvel Universe who, in order to be properly introduced, should utilize a bit more space. Some are seasoned actors who have appeared in multiple Marvel films and deserve the limelight, while others are significant comic book characters that have more backstory than can be told in a single movie. Keeping this in mind, let’s take a look at some Marvel characters, both heroes and villains, who would make excellent subjects for upcoming MCU character studies.
Dane Whitman
Soon after Kit Harington hung up his cloak and sword after eight seasons as Jon Snow on “Game of Thrones,” he was cast in Chloe Zhao’s Marvel Cinematic Universe directorial debut, “Eternals,” landing a supporting role as Dane Whitman. This happened shortly after Kit Harington hung up his cloak and sword. Although Whitman’s primary function in the movie is to play the lover of Gemma Chan’s Sersi, the sequence after the credits hints that Whitman may one day wield the Ebony Blade, transforming him into the comic book character known as the Black Knight.
In Marvel Comics, Black Knight has been around for a very long time. In addition to being a descendent of an individual who sat at King Arthur’s Round Table, he also serves as an Avenger in his spare time. More recently, he starred in the comics miniseries “Black Knight: Curse of the Ebony Blade,” in which it is revealed that Whitman left his fiancee after she was afflicted with cancer. In this story, he played the role of Black Knight. Whitman can now get stronger as a result of the curse that the Ebony Blade carries thanks to the fact that he wields it. This fascinating battle between Whitman’s ambition to be a hero and his surrendering to the demands of the sword would form the perfect conflict for a series that could be broadcast on Disney+. Given that the post-credits scene in “Eternals” also makes reference to Whitman meeting Mahershala Ali’s Blade, it’s possible that the Black Knight will find a guide in the vampire slayer.
America Chavez
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Xochitl Gomez makes her debut as the super-powered teen America Chavez in the episode “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” Chavez, just like she did in the comics, spent her childhood on the Utopian Parallel, and after realizing that she has the ability to teleport through the multiverse, she went to either Earth-616 or Earth-199999, depending on who you asked. This causes Wanda Maximoff, the antagonist of the episode “Multiverse of Madness,” interested in absorbing her power so that she can use it to create a better life for herself and her children.
America has demonstrated that she is a brave and capable future Avenger by the time “Multiverse of Madness” comes to a close. However, because she does not have control over her abilities, Dr. Strange decides that the best place for her to acquire what she needs to know is in Kamar-Taj, where she will study to become a Master of the Mystic Arts. It would be great to see America next in her solo quest, using all she’s learned to construct her own superhero identity as Miss America. This would be the next step in America’s journey.
When it comes to the history of the United States, there are still many mysteries to be solved. For instance, we find out in the episode “Multiverse of Madness” that her parents vanished while traveling through a gateway to another multiverse. It is hoped that the United States will eventually learn what happened to them and whether or not they are still alive. In addition, America was one of Marvel’s first characters to identify as LGBTQ+; hence, a solo series centered on her might also investigate this facet of her nature.
Yelena Belova
Yelena Belova, played by Florence Pugh, has already established herself as a fan favorite despite having appeared in only a few of Marvel Cinematic Universe films. After the events of “Captain America: Civil War,” the character was introduced for the first time in the film “Black Widow,” which was released in 2021. In the movie, Scarlett Johansson reprises her role as Natasha Romanoff, a Russian spy who embarks on a mission that brings her back together with her adoptive family of Russian agents, including her younger sister Yelena.
Yelena had a return appearance in the series “Hawkeye” on Disney+. She was seeking vengeance against the character Clint Barton, played by Jeremy Renner, because she believed he was responsible for the death of her sister. Clint and his protégée Kate Bishop, portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld, persuade her not to carry out her plans, which results in the plan’s failure. Yelena’s future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is left unresolved by the conclusion of the series; however, it has been speculated that a “Thunderbolts” movie is in the works, and that it will reportedly star Yelena in addition to Bucky Barnes, Taskmaster, and other characters.
It would be in Marvel’s best interest not to allow the character to continue to be cast in supporting roles. Although we wouldn’t be upset if David Harbour and Rachel Weisz reprised their roles as Yelena Belova’s Russian spy parents in a film or television series centered on Yelena, the audience would have the opportunity to better get to know Yelena Belova if she were featured in a film or series that was focused solely on her.
Valkyrie
Tessa Thompson made her debut as Valkyrie in the 2017 film “Thor: Ragnarok,” where she joined Thor’s team of Revengers to fight against Hela, Thor’s sister. In a later installment, “Avengers: Endgame,” the figure was seen engaging in combat alongside the other Avengers in their concluding showdown with Thanos. Thor anoints her as the new King of Asgard at the conclusion of that movie, and she continues to hold that role in the sequel “Thor: Love and Thunder” in 2022.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Valkyrie plays more of a supporting role, but in the comics, the character has a much more extensive history. She was once known as Brunnhilde and was one of many Valkyries that Odin dispatched to protect Asgard against Hela. However, she was the only Valkyrie that survived the battle. There is a huge amount of untapped potential in a single project that follows Valkyrie’s journey from being an exiled Asgardian to becoming the ruling ruler.
Since “Ragnarok,” the comic book adaptation of Valkyrie has been updated to reflect the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and now features a new Valkyrie known as Rna who appears in “King in Black: Return of the Valkyries” alongside Jane Foster. It would be awesome to see more of Thompson’s Valkyrie if it were adapted for the big screen.
Silver Surfer
The Silver Surfer appears to be a challenging character to bring into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was an astronomer by the name of Norrin Radd at one point in his life, but in exchange for preserving his home world, Galactus took him under his wing and made him his servant. The Silver Surfer explores the cosmos using his abilities in order to locate worlds inside the universe that Galactus can consume. Along with Jean Grey, the Silver Surfer is another character who, in the opinion of many Marvel fans, was treated unfairly in the live-action film adaptation of their initial appearance.
Laurence Fishburne provided the voice for the cosmic herald in the film “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer,” which was released in 2007. Infamously, this film’s portrayal of Galactus was seen as a cloud of evil that engulfed the planet Earth. Since the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been successful in including Celestials as a result of “Eternals,” it is possible that a version of Galactus that is more faithful to the comics is now doable. Keeping this in mind, a Silver Surfer solo production could be an attainable dream for fans, especially when one considers how Marvel has handled “Guardians of the Galaxy” or how the Taika Waititi “Thor” movies have been directed.
Adam McKay, who is developing both a film and a television series, is attached to a Silver Surfer project of some kind. Despite the fact that McKay is best known for his work on movies such as “Step Brothers” and “Vice,” the director’s interest in Silver Surfer may bring him into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Kevin Feige, the head of Marvel Studios, has indicated interest in Keanu Reeves joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) at some time in the not too distant future, and this part might be the ideal fit for him.
