Throw in the fact that Marvel Studios has regained the likes of Blade, Daredevil, Ghost Rider, and several others in recent years, and they're definitely doing pretty well with characters as of right now.
However, there are still many heroes and villains Marvel Studios are unable to use. That stems from the one-time near bankrupt company being forced to sell them off back in the 90s, and it's something which has definitely hurt the MCU. What you'll find here then are the eight greatest characters they're unable to use in their movies as well as why the studio having them back would be so great.
8. The Shi'ar
The Phoenix may have been reintroduced in X-Men: Apocalypse, but it's still too soon to say whether or not Simon Kinberg and Bryan Singer's version of "The Dark Phoenix Saga" will take us on a cosmic adventure. Despite all of the sci-fi elements introduced in the last two instalments, it seems somewhat unlikely, and that means we can probably forget spending any time with the Shi-ar Empire.
One of the most powerful empires in space, they're made up of great characters like Lilandra and Gladiator and could very easily be given the spotlight in a Guardians of the Galaxy style spinoff of their own somewhere down the line. Marvel Studios having them would be even better though, especially as they could have them interact with the Guardians (Drax vs. Gladiator!) and further expand the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe before Thanos arrives on Earth in Phase 3.
7. Kang The Conqueror
How do you top Thanos? That's the problem Marvel Studios will face following the release of Avengers: Infinity War, and while there's a chance that they will scale things back a little to tell some more personal Avengers stories (something which worked nicely in Captain America: Civil War), a new big bad certainly wouldn't hurt.
Unfortunately, despite his history with The Avengers, Kang the Conqueror - who would be a perfect new foil for Earth's Mightiest Heroes - is part of the Fantastic Four's world, hence why he's now gathering dust on a shelf somewhere with the rest of that team. A time travelling conqueror with vast powers and technological supremacy, Kang would be a villain unlike anything these characters have ever faced, and seeing them trying to take him down in different periods would be amazing, especially if Cap returned to World War II!
6. Super-Skrulls
It was recently revealed that like Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch, the Skrulls are characters both Marvel Studios and 20th Century Fox can use in their movies. Sadly, there are certain Skrulls that the former aren't able to utilise, and common sense says that those are Fantastic Four baddies, the Super-Skrulls. As a result, it's easier to see why Marvel has yet to introduce this alien race.
While there's a lot you can do with shapeshifters, the Skrulls themselves aren't that threatening, and a team like the Avengers needs Super-Skrulls to test their might against (Hulk would make short work of the foot soldiers regardless of who or what they look like). The fate of the Fantastic Four franchise remains up in the air, but with the studio seemingly intent on keeping things grounded, chances are we won't be spending any time with these superpowered aliens in the near future.
5. Onslaught
Going back to a new big bad for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Onslaught seems like a decent fit. Hell, think back to his comic book history and he could very well be used to reboot that world a few years from now, but this can't happen because he was born from the minds of Professor X and Magneto. A nigh-omnipotent villain, he can absorb powers from various other characters and is mostly remembered for his part in the deaths of the Avengers, Fantastic Four, and The Hulk that led to the "Heroes Reborn" reboot.
Perhaps Marvel Studios could use Onslaught without referencing his "creators", but that seems unlikely given his appearance, so chances are we won't see him taking on Earth's Mightiest Heroes any time soon. Fox having the ambition to use Onslaught (and use him well) seems doubtful, so don't expect to see him make his big screen debut there.
4. Annihilus
Fox completely f***ed up the Negative Zone in last year's Fantastic Four reboot, turning it into a generic wasteland rather than an alternate reality inhabited by many of that team's greatest enemies. The biggest casualty of that is obviously Annihilus, a great villain who is obsessed with constantly finding different ways to extend his lifespan and destroying all that which he sees as a threat to his existence.
That vague description is proof enough that he would make a great foe for The Avengers, and handled the right way, he'd be a solid bad guy for the Fantastic Four too. Unfortunately, it's impossible to have any sort of faith in Fox at this stage, but Kevin Feige getting his hands on the Negative Zone and those that call it home would be truly exciting. That's not happening unless Fox throws the towel in with the Fantastic Four, and if Simon Kinberg is to be believed, that won't happen.
3. Storm
Marvel Studios obviously can't use any of the X-Men, so why single out Storm? After all, everyone from Cyclops to Jean Grey and Wolverine would make a huge difference to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (don't forget Deadpool), but Ororo Munroe being part of Black Panther would take what already looks set to be an amazing movie to the next level.
While Lupita Nyong'o is no doubt going to end up playing a great female lead, it would be even better if she were Storm, and her fighting alongside T'Challa in live-action is something most of us can only fantasise about because there's no way she'll end up in this movie. After all, she looks set to be a big part of the X-Men franchise moving forward, with rumours even pointing to an appearance in New Mutants. That's great news for fans of the hero, but Marvel getting their hands on Storm would be even better.
2. Galactus
Marvel Studios wants Galactus. Back in 2012 when Fox were developing a Daredevil movie, they were offered the chance to keep the rights to the Man Without Fear in exchange for the World Eater and his herald the Silver Surfer. They declined, and we've seen nothing of Galactus since. The one time he was brought to live-action, he was just a cloud, and as I've already pointed out in the other slides looking at other cosmic themed characters, it's impossible to imagine Fox a) taking things in the right direction and b) actually being able to pull it off.
Just imagine Avengers: Infinity War wrapping up with the defeat of Thanos only for Earth's Mightiest Heroes to learn that an even greater force is one the way who wants to eat the planet! Throw Silver Surfer into the mix and you have gold, but these two icons showing up in the next Fantastic Four movie will likely just disappoint.
1. Doctor Doom
In fairness to Josh Trank and 20th Century Fox, the talented Toby Kebbell being cast as Doctor Doom was no bad thing. However, just like in the first two Fantastic Four movies, the execution was way off. Victor Von Doom should not be a member of the team that heads into outer space or the Negative Zone; he should be a Latverian dictator who has a past with Reed Richards.
After dropping the ball three times now, it's hard to imagine that Fox will use Doom again in their next attempt at making this franchise work, and that's a real shame. Marvel Studios having him on the other hand would be something well worth getting excited about, especially as he'd no doubt be portrayed just as he is in the comic books. He would also bring a very interesting new dynamic to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, whereas it's hard to see how the Fantastic Four movies can benefit from his presence at this stage.
Which of these characters would you most like to see in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Have we missed any other deserving candidates? Let us know your thoughts in the usual place.