10 MCU Characters That Still Need to Make a Marvel Return

Over the past 15 years or so, Marvel has brought many cherished characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), and while some have flourished with their own narratives, a significant number have been somewhat overlooked. For every character whose storyline has thrived within the MCU, there are several others who have remained in the background, hinted at but not fully developed. We’re still keeping our fingers crossed that many of these characters will get their moment to shine, despite the odds seemingly stacked against them. Some made fleeting appearances, while others played crucial roles in a story, only to be sidelined once the crisis was resolved. Regardless of how much screen time they received, they deserved more, or at least that’s what the fans fervently wish – to see these characters reappear in Marvel’s future stories.

In the latest installment of Captain America: A Fresh Start, fans found a glimmer of anticipation for the reappearance of some beloved characters. This revamped Marvel movie saw the return of Betty Brant (played by Liv Tyler) and Samuel Sterns (portrayed by Tim Blake Nelson), who had been absent for quite some time. If this comeback is possible for them, then it could happen for any other character as well. Here’s to keeping our fingers crossed and continuing to dream!

1) Aaron Davis (Donald Glover)

Last Seen: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Aaron Davis, a character introduced in Spider-Man: Homecoming, hasn’t reappeared yet. Fans quickly began speculating about his role due to intriguing aspects of his portrayal. In the film, Davis had a limited screen time, getting ensnared by Spider-Man’s web and clinging onto a car. The ensuing dialogue, though short, was amusing.

What made this brief moment so captivating for fans? In the comics, Aaron Davis is the Prowler, a vigilante with a complex history and a significant familial connection to Miles Morales, who is also Spider-Man. The appearance of Aaron in Spider-Man: Homecoming hinted at an innovative spin on the Spider-Man storyline. Regrettably, they didn’t develop this thread further, but considering Donald Glover’s fame, it’s not entirely unexpected. Perhaps we’ll catch another reference to him in future Spider-Man productions.

2) Leonard Samson (Ty Burrell)

Last Seen: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

Leonard Samson boasts a rich history within Marvel Comics, yet the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has barely delved into his extensive background. To put it simply, Dr. Leonard Samson, portrayed in just one film, The Incredible Hulk, functioned as a psychiatrist and confidant to Betty Ross. His actions unwittingly ignited the major clash between the Hulk and Thaddeus’ forces, leaving fans curious about Betty’s subsequent fate with Leonard.

In the comic books, Leonard Samson goes by a few different names, such as Doc Samson and Doc Sasquatch. You got it – he’s got his very own secret identity, as Doc Samson is one of several characters in the Marvel Universe who possess gamma-based powers. His tale can get quite intricate at times, but fans eagerly anticipate his potential return in the MCU. With Thaddeus’ background now revealed, it feels like an ideal moment to introduce more gamma creatures into the picture.

3) Laufey, King of the Frost Giants (Colm Feore)

Last Seen: Thor (2011)

Laufey, a colossal figure in both size and influence, is often spoken of more than he’s actually seen in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). This is why despite only appearing a few times, his name remains a common topic. Laufey, the King of the Frost Giants, is also Loki’s father, making it plausible but unlikely that we might see him again. The survival of the Frost Giants post-Snap and the mystery surrounding Loki are what pique our curiosity most.

Since Loki (from the primary universe) and Odin have both perished, any trouble instigated by Laufey would now be squarely on Thor’s plate, or possibly Valkyrie’s. The audience is left pondering this development, as Laufey from the comics has previously passed away during the “War of the Realms”. However, given the propensity for characters to return from death in these realms, it won’t be long before Laufey resurfaces again, continuing his storyline.

4) Dr. Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård)

Last Seen: Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Dr. Erik Selvig is a highly intelligent character in both Marvel Comics and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the MCU, he initially appeared in the movie “Thor,” and his role expanded significantly in “The Avengers.” Among all characters on this list, he has had the most appearances in the MCU. He was also present in “Thor: The Dark World,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” and “Thor: Love and Thunder.” Although his roles in these last films were minor, they did occur. Additionally, he was mentioned in “Avengers: Endgame,” which indicates that he was among those who were turned to dust by the Snap.

Though Dr. Selvig has been fortunate to star in numerous films, there’s a sense that his talents remain underutilized. This was particularly evident in the film Thor: Love and Thunder where he essentially functioned as a prop. Given the complexity of his comic book counterpart who collaborated with both S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra, it leaves one wondering what intriguing roles he might take on in future productions, if he should reappear.

5) America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez)

Last Seen: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

America Chavez, a relatively new superhero, made her debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) back in 2022. You might recognize her from “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness“, where she was on a mission to evade monsters that were pursuing her across multiple universes. The movie tested her abilities and built up her confidence. It’s been three years since then, but it is somewhat unexpected that we haven’t seen more of her since – excluding the brief cameo in “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law“.

In the comic books, the character America Chavez is often referred to as “Ms. America” and is known for her tough demeanor. She possesses an extraordinary ability to create portals and knock out opponents effortlessly using them. Considering the upcoming Avengers adventures like “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” it seems logical that America Chavez might be part of the team, given her portal skills are highly valuable. Fingers crossed we’ll witness more heroic feats from this character in future storylines!

6) Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell)

Last Seen: All Hail the King (2014) Marvel One-Shot

Justin Hammer was formerly the CEO of Hammer Industries, but that’s in the past. Essentially, he’s one of several inventors depicted in Marvel comics, yet he consistently trails behind Tony Stark. This is likely due to his tendency to mimic what Tony has already accomplished, rather than forging his own path. He’s a questionable CEO, and given his unsavory nature, it’s challenging to root for him. This portrayal was spot-on by Sam Rockwell.

It’s been some time since we’ve spotted Justin Hammer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). His last on-screen appearance was in a 2014 one-shot, but he’s popped up in conversations here and there since then. An alternate version of him showed up in the “What If…?” series, although some might dispute this counts. With Tony Stark absent, it could be challenging to explain Hammer’s role, but he could provide an interesting challenge for those stepping into Tony’s shoes in the MCU.

7) Layla El-Faouly, aka Scarlet Scarab (May Calamawy)

Last Seen: Moon Knight (2022)

Initially introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series “Moon Knight,” Layla El-Faouly is a character who has subsequently appeared in the comics, which is not typically the case. In the show, Layla was consistently by Moon Knight’s side, leading her to take on the role of The Scarlet Scarab. Her full potential has been hinted at, and while the comics have delved deeper into this since her introduction, fans are eager for more exploration of her character.

In Marvel Comics, The Scarlet Scarab has already garnered a notable reputation, similar to her counterpart in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There remains immense room for growth and development in her character, which fans eagerly anticipate, especially during significant future conflicts. After all, we are well-aware of the valuable support she could provide.

8) Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor)

Last Seen: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) … sort of.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Karl Mordo is portrayed as a contemporary of Doctor Strange. Although he might have been training longer than our beloved sorcerer, it’s evident who took on the role when the need arose. At the close of the initial Doctor Strange film, a post-credits scene hinted at Karl Mordo transitioning into his anticipated antagonist role: Baron Mordo. Regrettably, MCU fans haven’t had the opportunity to witness this transformation yet.

In the movie “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the character Karl Mordo was indeed present, but he’s not the same Mordo we know from our universe. This alternate Mordo originates from another dimension and therefore holds different beliefs and feelings towards Doctor Strange and magic. While this cameo doesn’t necessarily mean a resolution to the conflicts between Strange and Mordo, it does hint at potential future developments in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In the comic books, Karl Mordo is a servant of Dormammu, possessing magical abilities but opposing the teachings of The Ancient One. As such, he often acts as an adversary for Doctor Strange.

9) Mac Gargan (Michael Mando)

Last Seen: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

In my opinion, Marvel often introduces compelling antagonists within their MCU only to leave them largely unexplored. Take the character of Mac Gargan from “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” for instance. He presented a significant challenge to the fledgling hero but ended up incarcerated following an altercation. Compared to other villains who’ve made comebacks, such as Adrian Toomes in “Morbius,” Gargan has been absent from the scene since 2017.

In the Marvel Universe, Mac Gargan, often referred to as The Scorpion, is a recurring adversary for Spider-Man. He consistently harbors ill feelings towards Spider-Man, and in a post-credit scene, hinted at his desire for revenge against him. So far, though, no such events have materialized. It remains to be seen whether we’ll encounter him in the next Spider-Man movie, but if he does appear, they’ve done an excellent job of maintaining secrecy about it.

10) Aleta Ogord (Michelle Yeoh)

Last Seen: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

It’s fair to conclude that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 took quite a few daring steps, starting with the transformation of its villain and extending to the characters who took center stage. This led to some intriguing scenes featuring various Ravager Clans and their leaders, such as Aleta Ogord (Michelle Yeoh), Martinex (Michael Rosenbaum), Charlie-27 (Ving Rhames), Stkar Ogord (Sylvester Stallone), Krugarr (Jared Leland Gore), and Mainframe (Miled Cyrus). To be honest, the collection of cameos was quite impactful, and it would be fantastic if they all returned to Marvel.

As a devoted fan of Marvel Comics, I’ve always been intrigued by the lesser-known characters who often leave a lasting impact. One such character is Aleta Ogord, or Starhawk as she’s also known. She’s no A-lister in terms of status, but her history is surprisingly extensive. She’s worked alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy and has even been recognized as an honorary member among both the Defenders and Avengers. Yet, strangely enough, since her brief appearance in the second Guardians film, she hasn’t been given a single mention. It’s ironic that Michelle Yeoh, who portrays Aleta Ogord, made a comeback before her character did. In fact, she lent her voice to the Ying Nan Variant in the What If…? series.

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2025-06-21 06:11