EDITORIAL: Ranking The Top 10 Female Characters From MARVELS Cinematic Universe.

Like many characters on this list, Jane Foster is primarily a love interest, in this case, to the God of Thunder Thor. Jane first appeared in Thor’s first solo outing where she encounters him in New Mexico after he has been banished to Earth by his father Odin. The pair embarks on a romance which is a bit less plain sailing than others in the MCU as Thor receives a frosty return when he visits Earth in sequel, The Dark World. Jane was given more to do in the second instalment after being infected by the Aether but even this twist couldn’t help some of the glaring issues I have with Jane (and Portman). Firstly, unlike the back and forth playfulness of Tony and Pepper, Thor and Jane lack a certain on screen chemistry that helps to cement a believable relationship in a fantasy world. Secondly, Portman looks slightly uncomfortable in the role which may be linked to rumours of Portman being forced to return for the sequel due to a contract agreement. However, there is light at the end of the Bifrost as early speculation from the upcoming Avengers: AoU has stated that Thor will be single and split from Jane Foster! Is the dark World the last we’ve seen of Jane… unlikely.


Carter’s so far only appearance in The MCU is in Captain America: The Winter Soldier where Emily VanCamp stars as Agent 13/ Sharon Carter. Carter, originally a shy and retiring ‘Katie’, nurse and neighbour to Steve Rodgers is later revealed to have been an undercover S.H.I.E.L.D. agent set to protect Captain America. To be fair to Van Camp who gave a great performance, Sharon Carter doesn’t have terribly much to do in The Winter Soldier which featured a huge ensemble of characters. The actress has stated in an interview that the film was ‘just introducing her’ with an expanded role expected to come in future films. Rodgers and Carter have a flirtatious relationship paving the way for a romance further down the line. Sharon Carter receives the ninth spot on the list but the best is yet to come!


Betty Ross is the girlfriend to Bruce Banner and daughter of General Thunderbolt Ross who is hell bent on capturing the Hulk. Ross is portrayed by actress Liv Tyler who gives a superb and somewhat complex performance as Ross, who is torn by her love for Bruce and her father. I feel that Marvel is sitting on a goldmine with delaying a future Hulk movie. I think Tyler would be just as suited to Ruffalo as Norton and with such a gap between TIH and a potential sequel that leaves a lot of ground to further develop this relationship. In the comics, Betty Ross also becomes the superhero Red She Hulk which would create an interesting storyline for a future Hulk movie which could deal with Banner finally having an equal. Banners and Ross’s relationship ended abruptly without proper closure which would be more than welcome. Plus, The Avengers could always do with some super human strength from a female character if a big blowout with Thanos is on the cards.


Lady Sif is one of Asgard’s greatest warriors and one of the most skilled fighters on this list. Jamie Alexander has appeared as Sif in two instalments of the Thor franchise as well as a memorable guest turn on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Sif is one of the more developed Asgardian characters and one that is set to feature in future films. With rumours of a possible Jane and Thor split, could this be Sif’s chance to begin a relationship with Thor who she is in love with? It would certainly be an intriguing switch from the battle hardened Sif we are used to seeing. Sif is fast becoming one of The MCUs prominent female characters and hopefully that looks set to continue as Alexander seems very dedicated to the role and the character.


This may be cheating but in order to incorporate everyone I wanted into the list, I had to bunch these three characters together who do share a common cause. The three leading ladies of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. are all very important characters in the MCU. Not only are they probably the most developed (from a 22 episode season) but they each serve the greater good in their own unique way. Melinda May is a straight-laced former high ranking agent turned personal Nick Fury mole. For the majority of the first season, May was a bit of a blank canvas but when her secret got out; Wen began to really shine in the role and added layers to a character who lacked some serious development. I look forward to seeing what May has to offer in the wake of SH.I.E.L.D.s collapse heading into season two. Jemma Simmons started off by filling one of the science roles required to explain the complex world of alien technology to us uneducated viewers. As the series grew so too did Henstridges character into one of the sweetest and most endearing characters in The MCU, her season 2 relationship with Fitz is one to watch! Finally, Skye, the eyes of the viewer guiding us through this complicated organisation with bewilderment. Skye’s past is shrouded in mystery but her characters origins seem more important to The MCU as a whole than most on this list. When given the material all three actresses are fantastic and truly deserve their 6th place as top female heroes from Marvel’s Cinematic Universe.


Is Pepper Potts the original heroine of The MCU? Potts has featured in the Iron Man trilogy and cameoed in The Avengers movie too playing a key role in each. In the first iron Man, Pepper is nothing more than a secretary and voice of reason to Tony Stark. However, as the series grew, so too, did Pepper from the CEO of Stark Industries to saving the day in Iron Man 3, Pepper is one of the definitive female heroes of Marvels shared universe. Paltrow is so at ease in the role and has wonderful chemistry with Robert Downey Junior. I however fear Paltrow’s days are numbered as Robert Downey Junior appears to have no intention of returning for another solo adventure and with The Avengers being tied up with the Thanos storyline – where does that leave Pepper? Apart from the occasional cameo, I believe peppers story is done. But what a story it has been, Iron Man 3 perfectly concluded ‘Peppers arc’ so to speak establishing her as one of the true gems of not just Marvels female characters but the MCU altogether.


I might be slightly biased here due to my love for Colbie Smulders, but I really like her interpretation of Maria Hill. Hill first appeared in The Avengers as the only other prominent female character other than Black Widow in which some people complained she wasn’t as tough as Hill should be. Following guest appearances in AoS, Smulders is beginning to morph into the Maria Hill we are used to witnessing in the comics. The character of Hill is never going to get the time to shine on the big screen and is much more suited to television anyway. With Hill now working for Tony Stark following SH.I.E.L.D.s collapse, could Coulson convince her to re-join S.H.I.E.L.D. in AoS’s second season and eventually take on her comic book role as director. Hill has shown off her fighting abilities multiple times now and her dedication to Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. as seen in TWS, so I think it’s time to give Smulders more to do, let’s see what her Avengers: Age of Ultron appearance brings.


Gamora is the latest female superhero to join The Marvel Cinematic Universe after featuring in the recently released Guardians of the Galaxy. Gamora underwent a great deal of character growth in the film from assassin on a mission to comrade to Peter Quill and his merry band of misfits. The events of the film probably affected Gamora the most personally with the plot being tied up with a feud with her sister Nebula and father Thanos. Saldana was excellent as Gamora who was the Guardian I was least interested about going in. I thought she would be just another weapon wielding martial artist, basically an alien Black Widow. But by the end I was won over by Saldanas performance and the character and look forward to seeing her come face to face with her father Thanos and continuing her story with Nebula.


Peggy Carter, the original lover of Steve Rodgers/ Captain America has grown to be one of the best loved of Marvel’s female heroes. Not only has Peggy carter appeared in both Captain America films and her own One Shot, she will also be receiving her own series and a flashback cameo in Age of Ultron. Carter is adored by fans and critics for her individuality and her ability to stand on her own two feet and not be the stereotypical ‘damsel in distress.’ This is mainly down to actress Hayley Atwell who has portrayed Carter as a skilled, young agent and also an ageing, old women both with heart and gravitas. All eyes turn to Agent Carter and Atwell’s biggest test in the role.


The Black Widow is clearly the undisputed female champion of the Marvel Universe. From her powers of persuasion to her combat abilities, Romanoff has proved herself to be a major player amongst the likes of The Hulk and Iron Man. However, there wasn’t always a time when I felt like this. I was a little disappointed by Black Widows shoehorned appearance in Iron man 2 but the character grew on me during The Avengers and finally the mist was cleared by The Winter Soldier in which Johansson gave one of the best performances of The MCU. You weren’t sure whether or not to trust her still after being an Avenger which was just compelling to watch. I sincerely hope the rumours of a spin off are true as Scarlett Johansson, you’ve earned it.



Many Marvel fans complain about the lack of a MCU film with a female lead but when you look at this list you realise just how impressive the female characters truly are. So who else is joining the ranks? The Scarlet Witch will certainly be the female with the most unique abilities and the first truly ‘super powered’ character. Following that we have Hope Van Dyne or as many believe, The Wasp. I sure hope so as the Wasp is one of the most established and longest standing female heroes in the pages of Marvel Comics who also has an impressive skill set. Also confirmed is Jessica Jones who is getting her own Netflix series adding another layer to the rich mixture of female heroes. Who knows, maybe a female lead MCU film already has one of those mysterious release dates?

Thank you for reading and please comment your thoughts, feelings and own personal lists below! Is there someone I've missed out, are their any other Marvel heroines who deserve a film? Let me know and please like the article if you enjoyed reading it!