7 MCU Characters Who Need To Be Taken Back To The Drawing Board In AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY And Beyond

7 MCU Characters Who Need To Be Taken Back To The Drawing Board In AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY And Beyond

Daredevil: Born Again underwent a successful creative overhaul to bring the Man Without Fear more in line with his Netflix counterpart, but he's not the only character who could benefit from a fresh start.

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - Apr 07, 2025 02:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Marvel Studios

When production was paused on Daredevil: Born Again, Marvel Studios enlisted a new creative team for an overhaul that brought the show's characters back in line with what we saw on Netflix. The decision massively benefited the series, and the Man Without Fear is thriving. 

The Multiverse Saga has exposed many of the studio's flaws, and some characters don't look set to come out of this era of storytelling as strongly as they went in. In fact, you could say they're also in need of a "creative overhaul."

From MCU veterans to newer additions to this shared world and characters who have simply been taken in the wrong direction, this lot would benefit greatly from a soft reboot. In some instances, a complete fresh start may even be needed!

You can find out who we've singled out by clicking on the "Next"/"View List" buttons below. 
 

7. Captain Marvel

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There are many possible reasons why The Marvels performed so dismally at the box office in November 2023. However, it's clear now that in order to keep Carol Danvers a key part of the MCU, it's time to give this character an overhaul. 

Captain Marvel's Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame scenes were shot before her 2019 solo movie, meaning the project didn't have the required freedom to do anything particularly unique with her. Sharing the spotlight with Photon and Ms. Marvel meant that Carol remained a little one-note in the sequel, so it's time to shake things up and do right by her. 

Similar to when Ms. Marvel became Captain Marvel on the page, Brie Larson needs the opportunity to inject Carol with more personality (and power), establishing her as the MCU's most powerful superHERo, in the process. Avengers: Doomsday movies would be a good start. 
 

6. Captain America

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We're going to keep things "Captain" themed for a moment, as the most patriotic superhero in the MCU could do with a fresh start. For what it's worth, we think Anthony Mackie has done a fine job as the new Captain America, but Marvel Studios has dropped the ball on Sam Wilson. 

The gap between The Falcon and The Winter Soldier and Captain America: Brave New World was too big, and neither project told a story that felt worthy of Sam or Cap. While we absolutely want to see him wield the shield heading into Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars, beyond that, it might be time to rethink things. 

If Steve Rogers is going to remain off the table - regardless of whether he's played by Chris Evans or a different actor - then let's see what Sebastian Stan can do with the shield. His story has always been more interesting than Sam's, and it's as good an option as any. 
 

5. Thor

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Thor served as a solid introduction for the MCU's God of Thunder. The Dark World wasn't the Game of Thrones-inspired effort we were promised, but it was still an okay effort; however, Thor: Ragnarok served as the overhaul the character so desperately needed at the time. 

Infinity War and Endgame continued that, only for Thor: Love and Thunder to feel like a massive step back with a goofy take on the hero. Ultimately, filmmaker Taika Waititi was given too much creative freedom (even Chris Hemsworth has acknowledged what a misfire the movie was).

Moving forward, it's time for Thor to get serious and shed his comedic personality. While we're not suggesting he become too dour and serious, the Asgardian need to face a new, far more formidable threat, and perhaps even leave Earth behind for a fully Asgard-set adventure. 
 

4. Nick Fury

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Secret Invasion started well, only to go downhill quickly and prove this epic comic book event needed to be more than a small-scale espionage thriller on streaming. 

Samuel L. Jackson was fantastic as Nick Fury, but the show failed to break any new ground with its portrayal of the former S.H.I.E.L.D. Director. His story arc consisted of coming to terms with the fact he'd failed and misled the Skrulls, with a far too neat outcome we'd hoped might be expanded on in The Marvels

Instead, Secret Invasion wasn't referenced, and Fury was acting the fool. Jackson may only have one or two turns left as this character, so he must go out on a high; whether it's with a heroic sacrifice or a villainous turn, we're begging Marvel Studios to either do something new or take him back to his roots.
 

3. The Hulk

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Thor: Ragnarok didn't do the "Planet Hulk" storyline justice, but on the plus side, it was a blast seeing a new side of the MCU's Jade Giant. Avengers: Infinity War proved a tad unsatisfying, though Avengers: Endgame's Smart Hulk offered an enjoyable new direction for the hero. 

Alas, it's one that's already outstayed its welcome. Giving The Hulk his intelligence has neutered the Green Goliath, and as was evident from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, this arc has run its course.

Returning to the Savage Hulk well is one possibility, though Joe Fixit feels infinitely more compelling. Then, there's a Hulk who, while still an uncontrollable monster, has enough intelligence to converse with his fellow Avengers...while hating "Puny Banner," of course. That rumoured World War Hulk project is the place to make this happen, and Avengers: Doomsday can set the stage for it.
 

2. Ant-Man

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Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania was meant to serve as an epic lead-in to what was then called Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Instead, it was a mess of a movie that dulled interest in Kang the Conqueror by wasting him in a battle with Scott Lang and his family. 

Original plans called for Scott and Hope Van Dyne to be left trapped in the Quantum Realm; instead, they escaped, and Ant-Man remains concerned he'd doomed the Multiverse to a truly unstoppable force. That guilt needs to drive him forward and show a new side to the size-changing superhero before we bid farewell to him. 

Cassie Lang hasn't proven to be the natural successor we imagined, and Evangeline Lilly has supposedly retired from acting. That puts the pressure on Paul Rudd to pick up the slack and prove he can be more than a wise-cracking goof as the MCU braces itself for its biggest challenge yet in Doctor Doom.
 

1. Iron Fist

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Shortly before the release of Echo last year, Marvel Studios decided to make Marvel Television's Netflix projects "canon" to the wider MCU. Some big changes need to be made to some of those characters, though, with Iron Fist at the top of the list. 

There are already rumblings online about the "Iron Fist" premise being reintroduced in the animated Black Panther spin-off Eyes of Wakanda, while some social media scoopers have said the hero will appear in the Shang-Chi sequel. In terms of an overhaul, we'd ditch Danny Rand (for now, at least) and prioritise Lin Lie. 

Not only does he hail from China, but he's a blank canvas that Marvel Studios can put its own spin on. Then, down the line, we can pick up with Danny (preferably with a new actor) as he either serves as a mentor or Hero for Fire alongside a new Luke Cage.
 

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FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 4/7/2025, 2:42 PM
Agreed but for Ant-Man. Unless you backtrack to a more serious iteration, I enjoy Rudd. But yeah, we don’t need Cassie taking that mantle anytime soon.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 4/7/2025, 3:40 PM
@FrankenDad - Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne. But y'know... younger.
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 4/7/2025, 3:49 PM
@ObserverIO - Yessss. If they full reboot I would love to see them appropriately aged and out in action.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 4/7/2025, 2:49 PM
I hope Finn as Danny does come back because he’s proven imo that he was not the issue but moreso the writing , direction and overall rushed production for S1 atleast that was imo.

Him being written as immature & such for the long term arc of maturation made sense but people need to like your main protagonist especially immediately which sadly wasn’t the case for some since he wasn’t the most likable person due to his flaws (intentional or not) but I do think the arc from Defenders to IF S2 was decently done with LC S2 being its peak…

If the writing is more like that for Finn’s Danny (aswell as giving him more time to train & exercise) then I think we should be good.

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Hell , I wouldn’t mind if we pick back up from IF S2 with both him & Colleen as dual Iron Fists.
grif
grif - 4/7/2025, 2:50 PM
no antman, nick fury or captain marvel in the reboot. these have been done enough.

also no guardians or bp unless they do him without wakanda. wakandas been done

and no avengers team. we can have the solo avengers but no team. xmen should be the new main team.

only do cap in ww2 with wolverine and stuff like that.

was going to say galactus should be the new main villain but he may be [frick]ed now. not sure who
dagenspear
dagenspear - 4/7/2025, 6:04 PM
@grif - What does Cap in WW2 add, to doing it now and where would that lead overall.

I'd disagree. Hank Pym has gotten next to no engagement after his first movie to me. Carol has mainly been a single idea, as far as I've seen/heard and Fury hasn't gotten much to do either.
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 4/7/2025, 3:04 PM
they phucked the ultimate Nick Fury, it's Time to bring in the OG

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dagenspear
dagenspear - 4/7/2025, 6:01 PM
@harryba11zack - What would that change
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 4/7/2025, 6:11 PM
@dagenspear - a Fury that didn't lose an eye over some pu55y
SummersEssex
SummersEssex - 4/7/2025, 3:11 PM
What happens in Doomsday will determine how I feel about this list. I'll come back then.
HammerLegFoot
HammerLegFoot - 4/7/2025, 3:15 PM
I wonder will they bring in White Fury after the soft Reboot?
FrankenDad
FrankenDad - 4/7/2025, 3:16 PM
@HammerLegFoot - I can’t see that going down well, despite accurate source material saying both exist.
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 4/7/2025, 3:27 PM
Rudd is great, but I was hoping we'd get more of a Hank Pym take on the character. The tortured, brilliant scientist take on the character from the mainline comics is just more interesting to me🤷🏾‍♂️
99OPTIMISTPRIME
99OPTIMISTPRIME - 4/7/2025, 3:27 PM
I do think that fans tend to be way more harder on stoic female heroes, than they are on stoic male heroes. Like why is it okay for a Batman actor to be somewhat one note, but criticize Brie Larson, for always having a serious look on her face, as Captain Marvel?🤣 She's a former Air Force pilot. Her having more of a militant vibe, obviously makes sense.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 4/7/2025, 3:29 PM
Half measures.

They now have all their big characters at their disposal. Why settle for being a cheap mexican knockoff of what they used to be? Bring the X-Men and FF into a new world with a new, younger Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, Hank and Janet Pym etc.
Hard reboot.

Some fans won't like that, but if the last 5 years of box office returns have taught us anything it's that those fans don't pay the bills.

There is only one answer to the question of should the reboot be hard or soft.
And the answer is: Both!

Why have only one rebooted universe when you cam have two.
A soft rebooted universe for television and a hard reboot for the big screen.

Bring the cinematic back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Corruptor
Corruptor - 4/7/2025, 6:13 PM
@ObserverIO - Hard reboot means them having to admit they were wrong. They would rather go all multiversy and "it was muh plan all along"
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 4/7/2025, 6:15 PM
@Corruptor - The first step is admitting they have a problem.
GodHercules20
GodHercules20 - 4/7/2025, 3:43 PM
Iron Fist needs to be rebooted

Captain Marvel should only be used as supporting character

Hulk needs to be EMH Hulk

Kill off Nick Fury and reboot

Keep Thor for as long as they like but keep Taika away from him

Reboot Ant Man and the Wasp with Hank and Janet

They can keep Sam or reboot




Spike101
Spike101 - 4/7/2025, 3:59 PM
I’m happy with all those characters and the actors and actresses who portray them. The issue is with the writing and directors, pretty much all of them have been turned into clowns and that trend needs to be reversed, which if can be is all that is needed.
ToldYaSo
ToldYaSo - 4/7/2025, 6:55 PM
@Spike101 - THIS!
Scarilian
Scarilian - 4/7/2025, 4:02 PM
I believe it's either a semi or full reboot. Most likely they are doing full reboot.

We saw the new Black Panther in concept art for that purpose.

Avengers: Secret Wars could end with the multiverse being rebooted and a pan through a new universe showing a bunch of new actors playing new versions of the characters in the rebooted multiverse. No returning characters carried over.

Spider-man 5/6 would continue with Tom Holland but Sony would no longer continuing the deal with Disney - so no MCU connection, never referenced in the MCU, etc... This allows for them to do the Spider-man Vs Venom movie they wanted to do and then the Sinister Six movie they wanted with Spider-man.

Black Panther 3 would not be related to either of the previous films and they'd probably allude to that with the film's plot being about T'Challa trying to live up to the legacy of his father. Film would probably be the first entry into the new MCU, set entirely in Wakanda, so we don't have to establish the entire world yet.
cubichy
cubichy - 4/7/2025, 4:32 PM
Captain Marvel is not the most powerful character, everything that she did in the MCU Thor can do, and Thor is faster in Flight than she is among many other things. They need to make her comic accurate; she shoots lights from her hands and energy absorption and binary mode, that's it. Anyway, photon is trash and should be erased. They need to lose fat Thor and just erase love and blunder, and bypass Ragnarök, that was the beginning of the end for Thor. Get him on his belt of strength and have him go up against the celestials or Mangog, that's a 2-billion-dollar movie. Agree on the hulk remake, he is green and mean and he doesn't back down. To fix cap, bring Steve rogers back, there is only 1 cap and it's NOT SAM. Nick fury is like batman for MCU, need to bring back his edgy wisdom and planning and iron fist was just dogshit on Netflix...no way to mess it up again.
dagenspear
dagenspear - 4/7/2025, 6:01 PM
I've said it before, I think they could've done an interesting New Avengers group, with Carol Danvers in the Tony Stark role (an cocky but useful damaged powderkeg who struggles with doing the right thing), if they gave her more personality beyond a little smug maybe (smugness can be entertaining, but Carol to me felt like Steve Rogers from Captain America The first avenger, fairly bland and lame to me, only now without all the build to getting to Steve getting powers, clipping out all the interesting parts and putting them in briefly, but then they added a touch of the idea that cockiness could be a trait she has, but not doing anything to flesh out her personality). Tony is a arrogant but useful damaged person who struggles to do the right thing. I think that could be interesting for the character of Captain Marvel.
Order66
Order66 - 4/7/2025, 6:01 PM
Nobody cares about Lin Lei.
Corruptor
Corruptor - 4/7/2025, 6:08 PM
Thanos should be top of that list...

and I'll pre-emptively add Doctor Doom as well as we can all guess how that will turn out...

Don't give Bucky the shield FFS, it's NO different than Sam having it, And Sam has way longer history with Steve (on the page) than some scruffy looking mophead. If Sam was wrong then Sucky is even more wrong.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 4/7/2025, 6:11 PM
There should be 4 Universes introduced at the very end of Secret Wars.

1. The Primary MCU, The New Sacred Timeline. A hard reboot. Movies only.

2. Secondary universe. A continuation of the old MCU timeline from Phases 1-5. Nobody remembers Doomsday (because technically it didn't happen in this multiverse) and nobody remembers Spider-Man after the events of NWH.
Disney+.

3. Tertiary universe. Sony's Spider-Man universe. A softbooted version of Tom Holland's Spider-Man who now exists in the same universe as Venom, Kraven , Madame Webb etc. with Marvel no longer creatively producing any of the movies.
What kind of a sick, twisted individual would suggest taking Spider-Man out of the MCU? Well, me. Because once Sony fails and the IP is devalued, guess who swoops in with a very generous offer to buy Spidey back?
...Marvel, of course.

4. The Fourth World. The Fantastic Four get to return to their retro-futuristic '60s New York but with a twist. Now they have all their superfriends there too. We see '60s versions of the the X-Men and Avengers in this softbooted merged earth. Even a '60s Spider-Man. But this is just for the happy ending of their arc, we don't revisit this world after Secret Wars and the Fantastic Four are also rebooted in the primary MCU (with either the same actors or new ones if they prove unpopular).

You're Welcome, Kevin Feige.

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