As we get closer to the release of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness this May, it appears we should expect speculation and rumors to continue to dominate the news feed.
Excitement for the film continues to build, and this week alone, we've heard that Marvel Studios approached Ben Affleck to return as Daredevil. Even as we write this, there's chatter on social media about plans for a fan-pleasing cameo that will blow the minds of fans everywhere. Who will really show up? Right now, we don't know, but we do have some exciting suggestions.
With this feature, we're exploring the possible characters from Marvel's past films and TV shows who could make cameo appearances in this exploration of the Multiverse. Some are relatively obscure, while others will be instantly familiar; they'd all fit into that "mind-blowing" category, however.
Once you've taken a look, we're sure you'll be just as excited by these potential cameos as we are...
8. Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool
The X-Men being rebooted for the MCU is inevitable, so where does that leave Deadpool? Ryan Reynolds will reprise the role, but starting from scratch would be an odd decision after the popularity of the first two instalments.
The Merc with the Mouth inadvertently being stranded in the MCU after Doctor Strange visits his world sets the stage for a hilarious third film. In that, Wade Wilson would have the opportunity to deliver a lot of meta-commentary about a world that's inhabited by heroes like Captain America and Spider-Man.
We saw Deadpool play around with time-travel in his second film, so alternate timelines aren't a totally foreign concept to the character. It would be something of a shame to lose those supporting characters, but some could make the leap with him.
Honestly, though, seeing Strange's reaction to this loon would be a riot.
7. David Hasselhoff's Nick Fury
Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. was a failed feature-length pilot for a TV series that would have featured Baywatch star David Hasselhoff playing the titular spy.
This iteration of Fury is clearly based on the classic comic book version, and not The Ultimates' Fury who was based on the likeness of Samuel L. Jackson (leading to Marvel Studios ultimately casting him in the role). Hasselhoff has ties to the MCU after his Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 cameo, so we're sure Kevin Feige could convince him to return as Fury.
Visual effects would be used to make him look younger, while a glimpse at a world where Fury is the only one standing up against the forces of evil - without superhero backup - has the potential to be a lot of fun.
It only needs to be a minor cameo, but shining a spotlight on this alternate reality Nick Fury is a must.
6. Thomas Jane's Punisher
Like many of you, we're hoping Jon Bernthal will be given another shot at playing Frank Castle in the MCU. However, should Marvel Studios want to pit Strange against an unexpected threat, then why not have the most popular big screen Punisher, Thomas Jane, take aim at the sorcerer?
The actor loved this role so much, he actually took part in a fan-made follow-up, Dirty Laundry.
With that in mind, he'd almost certainly jump at the chance to return one final time as The Punisher. To simplify things, we'd probably have him be part of the same world as another of the characters listed here (keep reading for more on that), but this might be a nice way to remind moviegoers of the anti-hero's existence before his proper MCU debut courtesy of Bernthal.
It may depend on how Disney feels about using that controversial skull logo given the negative connotations associated with it in the real world these days.
5. Chris Evans' Human Torch
There have been rumors about Chris Evans returning to the MCU for non-Captain America related projects, and we'd be willing to put a hefty bet on him reprising the role of Fantastic Four's Human Torch.
How better to drive home the concept of the Multiverse to fans than by having Doctor Strange arrive on an Earth where he believes he's found a Captain America Variant? Instead, "Steve" would burst into flame, no doubt anxious to know who this strange (heh) character is who's invaded the Baxter Building.
If Michael Chiklis shows up as The Thing, we'll give Marvel Studios some serious brownie points.
If Evans was on hand for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, then we'd hope the actor also suits up as HYDRA Supreme to show us a world where Steve Rogers went down a much darker path...
4. Marvel Television's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Fans continue to debate the place of Marvel Television's TV shows in the MCU canon. If Spider-Man: No Way Home and Hawkeye are any indication, Kevin Feige is happy to bring certain actors back as the same characters, but not be beholden to creative decisions that weren't made by his team (explaining the new Darkhold in WandaVision).
As Strange never crossed paths with Agent Coulson, a meeting between the two characters wouldn't have much of an emotional impact.
However, confirming Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. was set on another world gives Marvel Studios the opportunity to reinvent these characters in the MCU. Bringing back the actors who played them, while providing a fresh start that changes Quake's origin story, for example, is a must and helps make sense of Laura Barton also being Mockingbird.
Some fans won't like this, but it feels like the best possible direction to take things in.
3. Hugh Jackman's Wolverine
Hugh Jackman has insisted his stint as Wolverine ended with 2017's Logan, but the chance to be part of the MCU and share the screen with some true icons could be too hard to resist.
Kevin Feige's career started with X-Men, so being able to somehow pay homage to that with an appearance from the original big screen Wolverine before a new version shows up is a must. It would be a fan-pleasing moment arguably even bigger than those we saw in Spider-Man: No Way Home, and could deliver something fans have waited decades to see.
We are, of course, talking about seeing Jackman in that classic blue and yellow Wolverine costume.
The actor has expressed interest in wearing that on screen...it just never happened. How would we incorporate that into the Doctor Strange sequel? The next entry in this feature would be a good way to open the door to it...
2. Eric Bana's Hulk
Ang Lee's Hulk film was weird, but there's a lot about it we can definitely appreciate. Marvel Studios must feel the same way as The Incredible Hulk was a very loose sequel to the movie, even referencing this origin story for the Jade Giant in that film's opening credits.
Seeing this Hulk tearing through reality with today's visual effects would be a blast, and Eric Bana wouldn't technically be needed for this cameo.
If he's open to returning, that's no bad thing, but pitting this Green Goliath against Jackman's Wolverine? Who the heck wouldn't want to see that? We're not sure how it could be incorporated into Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but if there's a sequence with Strange hopping from reality to reality, then it presents the perfect opportunity to deliver this moment for fans.
Heck, we'll even take a Hulk vs. Hulk battle if there's a way to make it work...
1. Tobey Maguire's Spider-Man
The response to Spider-Man: No Way Home has been overwhelmingly positive, and if Marvel Studios can figure out a way to make this work with Sony Pictures, then sign us the heck up.
The film only scratched the surface of what's happened to Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker since we last saw him. While we're not suggesting a full-blown supporting role here, why wouldn't you give filmmaker Sam Raimi the opportunity to reunite with the version of Spider-Man he first brought to the big screen in 2002?
This Spidey is now aware of the existence of a Multiverse and has even met Doctor Strange. The cameo could also benefit Sony by setting the stage for Maguire to return (again) in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
Not making this happen might be the greatest missed opportunity of all-time, honestly.