10 Characters Most Likely To Be Introduced To The Marvel Cinematic Universe During Phase 3

10 Characters Most Likely To Be Introduced To The Marvel Cinematic Universe During Phase 3

Civil War kicked off Marvel's Phase 3 in style by introducing us to Black Panther and Spider-Man. Which other characters should follow? These are the ten best and most likely possibilities!...

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - May 31, 2016 09:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Avengers: Infinity War
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Marvel's Phase 3 is exciting for a lot of reasons, not least because we're going to meet a bunch of new characters, including Captain Marvel, Doctor Strange, The Vulture, and almost countless others in both leading and supporting roles. Looking ahead, it's pretty obvious there are a lot of other heroes and villains who will be showing up over the next few years who Marvel has yet to even tease in any way. 

So, with that in mind, what you'll find here are ten characters who should (and more than likely will) make their respective presences felt throughout Phase 3. This lot getting the Marvel Studios treatment is long overdue at this stage, and while there are several different ways and places they could first show up - including on TV - don't be shocked to see them all join this world before too long...


10. Spider-Woman

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Spider-Woman is one of those characters who no one seems quite sure about where the rights lie, but assuming Marvel owns Jessica Drew and Sony are the only ones able to use the "Spider-Woman" moniker, surely some sort of deal could now be reached in order to bring this character to the big screen. Despite the name, Jessica shares very few links with Spider-Man, and her history as both an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. AND Hydra makes her a potentially fascinating subject to further explore.

Delving into her complicated life as a double agent could be well suited to a movie like Captain Marvel given her friendship with Carol Danvers, though Marvel could really shake things up by making Jessica one of Peter's fellow high school students. Hell, given her history as an alien hunter for S.W.O.R.D., there are loads of directions they could head in! 

9. Venom

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Sony is reportedly forging ahead with their Venom spinoff, though it's been said that it won't be set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. That means it probably won't include or reference Spider-Man, a baffling and infuriating decision on Sony's part.

Of course, while Venom is unlikely to show up in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Peter Parker is set to appear in the two-part Avengers: Infinity War, and Marvel would be wise to put their foot down and insist that the alien suit first appear there, mirroring the comic book origin story which saw Spidey discover the symbiote during a trip to another world. That would create a perfect opportunity to have Venom become the lead villain of the wall-crawler's next movie, with Marvel finally doing the villain justice and giving Sony the groundwork for their seemingly inevitable spinoff. 


8. Moon Knight

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Despite some obvious similarities to Batman, Moon Knight is a character whose live-action debut is long overdue. With a mythology stretching back to ancient Egypt and a split personality disorder which makes him one of the most psychologically complex comic book characters out there, Marc Spector can show up on the big or small screen, though he's probably better suited to the darker world of The Defenders.

Unfortunately, there's a very good chance that neither Moon Knight nor the rest of that superhero team will factor into Avengers: Infinity War, but Marc showing up in one of these shows would be great. Which one? Jessica Jones could be interesting, especially as that series could do with a costumed hero to satisfy the fans who were disappointed that the first season didn't really delve into that side of things. 


7. She-Hulk

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Marvel Studios can't make a solo movie for The Hulk because of some distribution rights complications with Universal, hence why he's taking on a supporting role in Thor: Ragnarok rather than starring in the film fans have been demanding since The Avengers was released in 2012. It's unlikely that Disney faces the same problem with his cousin She-Hulk though, and exploring her adventures as a lawyer by day and superhero by night as she transforms between being Jennifer Walters and She-Hulk has a ton of potential and could be great fun to explore.

This movie also gives Mark Ruffalo a potential starring role in yet another Marvel release, and with fans vocally demanding more female led superhero adventures, this is a story which definitely fits the bill (even if it ultimately ends up finding a home somewhere like Netflix instead). 


6. Captain Britain

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While some might dismiss Captain Britain as a cheap imitation of Captain America at first glance, there's a lot more to Brian Braddock than that. Bear in mind that his origin story is tied into the mythology of Merlin, so his movie could delve into just as many new areas of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Strange.

When you add the Marvel Multiverse and Captain Britain Corps into the mix, it's clear that the character's introduction (whether it's in a solo movie or elsewhere) could shake up Phase 3 in a major way. Captain Britain showing up in Avengers: Infinity War makes sense, especially as that sort of global threat would explain why Earth's Mightiest Heroes might enlist some help from overseas. There's been some speculation that Fox owns the rights to the character, but as he's not a mutant, that hopefully isn't the case. 


5. Mephisto

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Avengers: Infinity War looks set to wrap up the story which began when Joss Whedon first revealed Thanos' grinning face at the end of The Avengers, and so the Marvel Cinematic Universe needs a new big bad. Well, it's hard to beat the devil himself, and as a villain with so much mythology behind him, both Doctor Strange and Thor: Ragnarok feel like natural places to first bring him into this world.

Despite becoming best known for ending Spider-Man's marriage to Mary Jane Watson in recent years, Mephisto is definitely a character with the potential to be an effective big bad who pushes the heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to their limits. Having him show up in a supporting role somewhere in Phase 3 would be a good start before a bigger role in Phase 4, but him getting the big screen treatment is most definitely long overdue now. 


4. Thor

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe may already have a Thor, but depending how close to an end Chris Hemsworth's contract is, the God of Thunder's franchise could be shaken up in a major way by introducing the popular new female version of the character. Natalie Portman reportedly isn't too keen to reprise the role of Jane Foster, so her being beneath the helmet is unlikely, so how about making it Tessa Thompson's Valkyrie?

Regardless, very briefly showing a woman's hand picking up Mjolnir at the end of Avengers: Infinity War after Thor's apparent death or decision to give up the mantle would be a great way to introduce this version of the character and sets up an exciting new status quo for Phase 4 where Hemsworth could take on a smaller role as a mentor of sorts to whoever is next to wield his hammer and prove themselves worthy. 


3. Namor

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It was back in 2010 that we first heard rumours about Namor the Submariner making an appearance in Captain America: The First Avenger, but those obviously didn't pan out. Since then, there have been a lot of conflicting reports about who holds the rights to the character and not really any sort of movement on a solo outing for the King of Atlantis.

The problem now is that Warner Bros. will beat Marvel to it with Aquaman, something which could have the unfortunate effect of moviegoers labelling Namor as a ripoff of that character when he does finally make his big screen debut. Regardless, it would still be great to see Namor show up at some point in Phase 3, and an introduction in Black Panther could definitely work given their history. If not there, how about the army of Atlantis joining the fight against a certain Mad Titan? 


2. J. Jonah Jameson

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J. Jonah Jameson being left out of The Amazing Spider-Man movies was unforgivable, but ultimately far from the worst thing those movies did. Despite how memorable J.K. Simmons' take on the editor of The Daily Bugle was, Marvel would be mad to make the same mistake when Spider-Man: Homecoming rolls around, especially as this is a character who can make an impact throughout the whole of Phase 3.

Jonah deciding to target The Avengers for bringing Spider-Man into the fold would be interesting, and there's actually precedent for that in the source material (alternatively, him being mayor could also work). The inclusion of this character obviously also opens the door to the likes of Robbie Robertson and Betty Brant being introduced, two fan-favourites who were definitely underused in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy. 


1. Galactus

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With Fox showing no sign of returning the Fantastic Four rights to Marvel Studios, you may think this is wishful thinking, but stranger things have happened. Once Thanos is dealt with, Galactus could very well become the new big bad of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and don't forget that Marvel Studios actually offered Fox the chance to keep the rights for Daredevil in exchange for Galactus and the Silver Surfer way back in 2012.

It's possible then that they offered them a similar deal for allowing the studio to move forward with those X-Men TV shows, and the studio could probably live without these two characters for the time being, especially as they're unlikely to green light a Fantastic Four sequel any time soon. Avengers: Infinity War ending with Galactus taking aim at a vulnerable Earth after Thanos' attack to set up Phase 4 would be epic. 

Which of these characters would you most like to see in Marvel's Phase 3? Have we missed any others? As always, let us know your thoughts in the usual place. 


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nickh0801
nickh0801 - 5/31/2016, 9:54 AM
First?
MiopTop
MiopTop - 5/31/2016, 9:54 AM
Any excuse for a top 10 amirite ?
SorceresSupreme
SorceresSupreme - 5/31/2016, 9:56 AM
@MiopTop - Any excuse for a shitty article amirite?
SimplyAz
SimplyAz - 5/31/2016, 10:07 AM
@MiopTop - @SorcererSupreme -


It's just so blatant, and makes him look really desperate.
Bakersfield
Bakersfield - 5/31/2016, 1:19 PM
@MiopTop - Most the characters on this list are either already under rights to be used by another company or incredibly unlikely. This is not a realistic list.

A realistic top ten characters to cameo or be introduced in Phase 3 are:

10. TV Show Characters.
Marvel knows we want them. They no longer have the excuse that the scripts were being written before they came out, etc. A visual or verbal nod to the reformation of SHIELD(as AOS implied), mentions of Punisher still being on the loose. Someone calling Spider-Man the devil of hell's kitchen or a character like JJJ talking about Kilgrave or a "guy with bullet proof skin in Harlem". The same vague references that the shows give to the movies.

9. Scorpion/Mac Gargan
Marvel wants to distance themselves from Sony's attempts: Green Goblin (Norman and Harry), Lizard, Rhino, Electro, Dr.Octopus, Sandman, and Venom. So I think the concept they are going with this time around are villains that are self created. Or at the very least, Tinkerer is the big bad behind the next few villains, not OsCorp. The after credits scene of Homecoming will likely be JJJ saying to the Tinkerer that with SHIELD gone and the Avengers broken up, it's up to the people to keep the country safe. There he'll intend to have his photographer and personal spy, Mac Gargan become a super hero. We know how that will turn out.

8.Moondragon (Heather Douglas)
A character heavily tied to Thanos, Asgaurdians and the Marvel universe. If you ever read her bio, she perfectly fits in to the MCU and would only need minor changes to her character to not create any plotholes or issues. Also her design is something very fitting for how characters look in the MCU. She looks like a green version of Nebula from GOTG.
Outside of visuals, she has been a villain, an anti-hero, and a hero, helping the Avengers. I cannot imagine that the movies would move forward without including her. I'm not going to get into her storylines, but if you know comics you know why she's possibly the most important character to at least reference outside of....

7. Adam Warlock
No explanation needed. Though, I will say he and Moondragon are so low on this list because it's possible that they're TOO important or too powerful to the comic versions of stories, and maybe the Russos want to sort of change it up to be less "comic-book" and slightly more realistic? But then again, the more cosmic and magical stories become the more likely we'll see characters like...

6. The Beyonder
Marvel/Disney and DC/WB are not stupid. Cross Promotion of their intellectual properties through cross-media marketing allows for fan to compile on top of fans so that when a character finally appears, there is compiled interest. Let me explain further...The Beyonder showed up in the highly popular Spider-Man animated series from 1992. He's appeared since then in the new Marvel block on Disney XD, and finally, he was instrumental in the recent Battleworld story in Marvel comics.

This is typically done when a company wants a character to be known by audiences. Remember when Deadpool was all of a sudden in every comic and making cameos all across Marvel? The over saturation of the characters was to promote him and make him recognizable beyond the fans that already knew him. So it's insanely likely that the Beyonder will be a force or entity pulled into our dimension at the end of Infinity War. He's recognizable and more powerful than Thanos without the gems, so he would make a great enemy for Marvel's Saga 2.

5.Dormammu.
Recently appearing in several of the Marvel Disney XD cartoons and also being a prominent character in Marvel vs. Capcom 3, this is a character that Marvel made sure to introduce new fans to. He is also someone that is likely to cameo in Dr.Strange or be referenced and then paves the way for characters like Black Heart, Mephisto, Ghost Rider and even Blade to be reintroduced in cinema. A HUGE Dr. Strange villain, it is likely that he will be at least a mid-credits character in phase 3.

4. J. Jonah Jameson.
One of the few things that Wilding got right. I think it would be a huge misstep to not include Jameson. However, I don't think they should go with the comical version that Raimi did. I think he should REALLY, truly, hate Parker -or- learn to appreciate him as Ultimate Jonah did. So he starts off demanding photos of Spider-Man and explaining that his wife was killed by a man in a mask, and that's why he doesn't trust people in masks. ESPECIALLY now that the Sokovia Accords demand that anyone claiming to be a hero should register. But Parker isn't old enough to register, and Jonah doesn't know that. Most people assume Spider-Man is an adult. THAT version of the character would be interesting and mean more to the whole of the universe than a character played for jokes.

3. Rhino, Chameleon and Kraven
With Spider-Man joining the MCU, a great many of Marvel's most popular rogues are now available to the MCU. With the situation in Sokovia, it is possible that many people from Eastern Europe would possibly be angry with America and the world governments. And some of those countries' worst criminals or even nationals might find new opportunity globally.

It would be cool if these typically Russian characters were hired as sokovian assassins. I don't think they'll appear in Spider-Man: Homecoming, BUT it would be great to see any of them referenced in other films. Kraven and Chameleon could EASILY fit into Black Panther. And Rhino could be someone giving Captain Marvel a tough go of it on Earth.

2.Mar-Vell and Spectrum.
We all love Carol Danvers, but it would be unfair to Monica Rambeau and Mar-Vell if those characters aren't at least mentioned. I would personally like it to play out that Captain Mar-Vell is a Kree that has infiltrated our military ranks, and during a situation, to save the lives of his teammates, he has to reveal his powers. But in doing so, the radiation hits both Monica Rambeau and Carol Danvers. The rest of the team is killed, but those two survive. And then the film could follow Carol Danvers as she becomes Captain Marvel, leaving Rambeau as Spectrum to exist, but be sort of a background character like War Machine in Ironman's series.

1.Uatu
I think that the fan theory of Stan, the man, Lee being Uatu is spot on. I think it would be a great reveal, maybe something that they could work out with Fox to also be true in their universe. We all love him, but the cameos are getting played out and it's better for them to stop while they're cute than to drag on and on and only stop when he passes. Let's give him one last awesome role to play, have him warn the Avengers and reveal himself to be Uatu, that way we can say goodbye to the cameos and start Saga 2 and all new phases for it.
MiopTop
MiopTop - 5/31/2016, 1:47 PM
@Bakersfield - I wonder if we'll get Warlock considering so much of his character has been shifted into Vision ....
SnapperCarr
SnapperCarr - 5/31/2016, 8:46 PM
@Bakersfield - much better
UltimateTypeface
UltimateTypeface - 5/31/2016, 10:18 PM
@Bakersfield - THAT is a good list.

You give Rick Jones any chance? Has awesome Marvel history.
Would give a great perspective of MCU from non-hero eyes.
Clundgren
Clundgren - 5/31/2016, 10:43 PM
@Bakersfield - Much better, and more reasonable list! On more character that I'd like to see, and that think is very likely either in film or for a TV series, is Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel)
DoctorDoomSayer
DoctorDoomSayer - 6/1/2016, 5:30 AM
@Bakersfield - I'm with you on all of it except for the Stan part he should most certainly be Uatu but he must not stop cameos until he is no longer able this year will be his last NYCC appearance *sad*
SpideyQuad
SpideyQuad - 6/1/2016, 10:23 AM
@Bakersfield - JJ Jameson is a weak choice in my opinion for a top 10 list. He's just a supporting character generally in Spiderman, and worse he's just a normal. Like I said below there are hundreds of interesting Marvel "powered" individuals you can choose from. Some really interesting, like Redhulk, shroud, almost any cosmic character take your pick. Even half a dozen new universe characters would be better. Then there's Hercules and his fellow gods, squadron supreme, various defenders not to mention the hundred avengers over the years.
Bakersfield
Bakersfield - 6/2/2016, 9:52 PM
@UltimateTypeface - I would love to see him! But much like She-Hulk, I feel as though the MCU would either have to wait for Saga 2 to start or introduce them or do so through Netflix.

They are characters that should have been sampled to audiences' tastebuds in The Incredible Hulk. Instead of characters like Leader or Doc Samson. Now it almost feels too late, as all of the characters in Phase 3 are in the middle of other-worldly things.

Also, don't you feel like Coulson was sort of an amalgam of Rick Jones and a few other characters?
Bakersfield
Bakersfield - 6/2/2016, 9:57 PM
@Clundgren - I would prefer to have Kamala Khan SEEN or mentioned, but not introduced yet. We all want to see a lot of characters, but if they name drop just to name drop or throw characters in just to show audiences that they're there, we'd have an example of X3, Spider-Man 3 or Batman v Superman.

Instead have a class of students being shown the military barracks that Carol Danvers, Monica Rambeau, and Mar-Vell work at. Carol Danvers, impressed by one of the female students asks her name..."Kamala, Ma'am. Kamala Khan."
Bakersfield
Bakersfield - 6/2/2016, 10:03 PM
@DoctorDoomSayer - Again, they're growing old and predictable. Also, I'd rather him reveal himself as Uatu and BE a real character in the MCU, than to keep doing cameos until he dies or something and have them amount to nothing more than cameos.

Also, I believe that good things have a beginning and an end. Having him go on doing random cameos until he literally can't act or is dying is depressing. A finality of the cameos makes them worth something more. Something sweeter. I think many people try to cling to things they love instead of letting it exist in the past and appreciate it for what it was.

Just let this end, let him be Uatu, maybe even worn certain characters of Thanos' arrival or help them in some way and then the cameos would be over. And they will have all made sense and be that much more beautiful.

But I'm not trying to convince you otherwise. I'm just sharing my thoughts and opinion.
Bakersfield
Bakersfield - 6/2/2016, 10:18 PM
@SpideyQuad - Okay. I appreciate your opinion, but I think you're entirely wrong.

"Power" doesn't make for a story. And the more people with powers, the less incredible they are. After all, if everyone's super, no one is. We don't need to shove in every super powered being that has ever shown up, just to say that they're on screen. Marvel has been taking their time and introducing characters naturally, organically, and that works FAR better.

We need more characters who ARENT super powered to show the level of power that these characters have. We need to introduce more and more WEAKER characters for every super powered character we have or there's no point.

JJJ, Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane, Aunt May, Pepper, Happy Hogan, Sharon Carter, Maria Hill, Nick Fury, Kate Bishop, Rick Jones, Betty Ross, Jane Foster, Dr.Selvig, Stephen Strange(as he is without the powers), Foggy Nelson, Karen Page, Claire Temple and even Frank Castle can't keep the world safe on their own. They are important characters to the comics, and shape the super heroes lives and show the audience who they are fighting for. But they're still characters of their own.

Just because -you- would like to see gods and such, with flashy powers, does not mean that other movie goers only want action and explosions. You're saying a character with more than 75 years of comic story is a weak choice? That's insane.

If you actually read the comics you'd know that these "just normal" characters have often done more for the series than ones with super powers.

Honestly, tell me how Mysterio, Shocker, Rhino, Spot, Jack'O'Lantern, Silver Sable, or even Hobgoblin mean more to Spider-Man comics than J. Jonah Jameson? You forget Jameson's also mayor of NYC in the comics.

Oh...and both Kingpin and DC's Lex Luthor are" just a normal".
Bakersfield
Bakersfield - 6/2/2016, 10:21 PM
@Bakersfield - 55 years*
SorceresSupreme
SorceresSupreme - 5/31/2016, 9:55 AM
How can this hack be an editor?
JP8
JP8 - 5/31/2016, 9:59 AM
Only down for Memphisto to Namor and Venom. I like the Idea of Galactus but I don't see it.
Luigi
Luigi - 5/31/2016, 11:26 AM
@JP8 - This seems to be a "most wanted" more than a most likely. There's no Adam Warlock or Black Panther, Captain Marvel or Ant Man 2 villains or side characters.
McGee
McGee - 5/31/2016, 9:59 AM
Yeah! Also, Josh Wilding doesn't return phone calls.

You can't ghost me! There was a spark and you know it.
SimplyAz
SimplyAz - 5/31/2016, 10:09 AM
@McGee -

Did he spend the whole date giving you a top ten of everything?

SuperCat
SuperCat - 5/31/2016, 10:26 AM
@McGee - LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quicker
Quicker - 5/31/2016, 9:59 AM
At least half of these won't be in Phase 3.
LarryDee
LarryDee - 5/31/2016, 10:01 AM
Marvel Studios hasn't the rights for Mephisto, FOX does.
Even Sony couldn't use the character (they use a generic version of Satan instead).
KillEmAll
KillEmAll - 5/31/2016, 10:05 AM
Moon Knight could be sooner.

Rag on her music all day but Beyonce does have some amazing acting range. She could pull of a good she hulk shes got that dichotomy of sorrow and pure rage. It could work.
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