With characters like Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight, Ironheart, and She-Hulk coming to Disney+, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is getting a lot bigger, and we're going to see characters in a live-action setting who we never expected to make the leap from page to screen. However, there are still a lot of great comic book heroes and villains who have yet to get the attention they deserve in film and television.
That's bound to change as the MCU continues to expand, but we still can't believe the characters listed here haven't been introduced yet - though that could end up changing during Phase 4!
There are definitely some upcoming projects these heroes and villains would be a good fit for, whether it's Spider-Man 3, Thor: Love and Thunder, or even some of the small screen stories playing out on Disney+. You have to believe Kevin Feige has something planned for them, and we have some ideas for their debuts.
So, to take a look through these exciting possibilities, click on the "Next" button down below!
10. Beta Ray Bill
Beta Ray Bill was vaguely referenced in Thor: Ragnarok when we learned from a statue that he once competed in The Grandmaster's arena. That movie would have been the perfect place to introduce the hero, but it didn't happen, and fans remain as anxious as ever to see him on the big screen.
Whether Taika Waititi can find room for Bill in Thor: Love and Thunder is another matter, but it would be a lot of fun seeing this alien butt heads with the God of Thunder. Sure, he's a pretty weird character but that's part of his charm, and he's definitely worthy of being used in a movie one day.
So far, there's been no indication that he will show up in Thor's next adventure, but it's entirely feasible that Marvel Studios is planning to surprise us...if now, perhaps it'll be in Thor 5 or 6?
9. Jocasta
Ultron's story in the MCU appears to be at an end but you have to believe it's possible that the villainous android may have found some way to survive. Regardless, his "bride" Jocasta is still a character ripe with big screen potential and a powerful and loyal member of The Avengers.
With a personality based on the brain patterns of Janet Van Dyne, there are many ways she could be changed in the transition from page to screen, and there's a good chance the events of WandaVision could set the stage for her debut. It ultimately just depends what happens there.
A cross between Vision and Scarlet Witch could be on the cards, while we certainly wouldn't say no to Ultron making his return, and bringing Jocasta long with him for the ride. We'll see.
8. The Sentry
Perhaps the most powerful superhero in the Marvel Universe, The Sentry also has a split personality and a darker side capable of leaving the world at the mercy of the evil Void. As a result, he's a truly fascinating character and someone who could prove to be a game-changer for the MCU.
Strong enough to go toe to toe with the likes of Captain Marvel and The Hulk, The Sentry is someone we could easily follow as he descends into madness and ultimately becomes a villain Earth's Mightiest Heroes have to assemble against and reluctantly put an end to before he destroys everything.
The similarities to Superman could be problematic, of course, but if Marvel Studios can find an original enough take on The Sentry, then those will be easy to forgive (and may not even be noticed).
7. Spider-Woman
The rights to Spider-Woman are more than likely held by Sony Pictures, but it's still strange that Marvel Studios hasn't jumped at the opportunity to bring Jessica Drew into the MCU. Given her powers by HYDRA, she's been a double agent for them and S.H.I.E.L.D. as well as a member of The Avengers.
She could easily be part of Spider-Man's world (in the Ultimate Universe, Jessica is Peter Parker's female clone) or an entirely different franchise, but this is a character definitely deserving of a big screen appearance, and she could easily hold her own in a six-part Disney+ television series.
Rumour has it Olivia Wilde is helming a Spider-Woman movie for Sony Pictures, so perhaps we'll get to see her on the big screen after all...it's just a shame she'll be in the SPUMC instead!
6. Norman Osborn
There have been rumblings for a long time that Marvel Studios has plans for Norman Osborn, Oscorp, and the Dark Avengers and now that Disney and Sony Pictures have patched up their differences, surely it's time for a new version of this iconic villain to make his presence felt in the MCU?
As both an enemy to Spider-Man and The Avengers, Osborn is a character with perhaps even more potential than everyone else on this list and after The Amazing Spider-Man 2, we deserve a comic accurate take on the Green Goblin. We just have to hope it happens before the studios fall out again!
If those rumours about Willem Dafoe returning are correct, it's possible he could be the MCU's Norman Osborn. Either way, we're desperate to see the iconic villain back on the big screen.
5. Silver Surfer
It would be crazy to think that Silver Surfer will be left on the shelf for very long following the Disney/Fox merger because he's a character who would not only make for a great lead in a TV series or movie but who also opens the door to the arrival of a certain world eating, unstoppable villain.
Feige has been desperate to get his hands on the Silver Surfer for years (he once offered Fox the chance to keep Daredevil in exchange for him and Galactus) so he's bound to be a priority and like many of the other characters listed here, there are again rumours of a project starring him.
Those didn't come from the most reliable of sources, so if we had to put money on it, the Fantastic Four reboot or Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 are two likely destinations for Norrin Radd.
4. Abigail Brand
S.H.I.E.L.D. was disbanded pretty soon after we started getting familiar with the iconic spy organisation thanks to HYDRA but following the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, it's clear the world needs a group like that to keep an eye on what's going on in the world.
That's where S.W.O.R.D. comes in, and while it's essentially the space version of S.H.I.E.L.D. in the comics, WandaVision appears to be taking things in a slightly different direction.
In the source material, it's led by Abigail Brand, a badass woman who would make for a great new ally and foil to Earth's Mightiest Heroes as she tries to avoid another Thanos-level disaster. She's been M.I.A. in that series so far, so we can only hope she's manning a S.W.O.R.D. outpost in space!
3. Namor The Sub-Mariner
Namor the Submariner is someone we've been hearing about potentially seeing in a Marvel movie since Captain America: The First Avenger but, like The Hulk, some complicated rights issues have pretty much sunk our hopes and dreams. He is, however, rumoured to appear in Black Panther II in 2022.
Needless to say, that clash could be downright epic, and the success of Aquaman just goes to show that moviegoers will buy into the concept of an undersea superhero. Namor is a different enough character to ensure this wouldn't feel like a ripoff and, as he's a mutant, he could even join the X-Men!
It's a shame we won't get to see Namor cross paths with Namor, but if both he and Doctor Doom are part of the sequel, then perhaps it won't even matter who the new Black Panther is?
2. Red Hulk
Red Hulk is, well, an evil version of The Hulk with red skin. However, he also has a unique powerset and the smarts of one General "Thunderbolt" Ross, someone many fans are convinced is going to wind up leading the Thunderbolts (a movie supposedly in the early stages of development).
Red Hulk would not only make a great foe for the Jade Giant but with a She-Hulk series on the way, he would certainly be a fitting choice for Jennifer Walters' first challenge on Disney+. After all, it's easy to imagine Ross going to extreme measures to stop another Hulk from becoming a "superhero."
Black Widow might be the movie that sets the stage for this transformation, and if it doesn't happen in She-Hulk, then chances are the ship will have sailed on this particular transformation.
1. The Beyonder
Both insane and insanely powerful, The Beyonder makes reality his plaything and is responsible for Secret Wars, an epic battle between the Marvel Universe's heroes and villains which the Russo Brothers have expressed an interest in bringing to the big screen on a number of occasions now.
It's surprising he's never even been alluded to but if Marvel Studios is looking for its next bit event movie, then this should be it, and it's then we could see The Beyonder come into play. In terms of casting, Marvel could have a lot of fun finding an actor to play this unhinged powerhouse.
We're confident this villain will show up before too long, even if it's not for another Phase or two. For now, though, we're just keeping everything crossed that there are plans for him somewhere.