5 Marvel Heroes the MCU Completely Dropped the Ball On!

by

In the expansive universe of stories that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are characters who have grown to be significant pillars, while others haven’t fully realized their potential on-screen. Spanning more than 40 films and TV series, the MCU first featured heavyweights like Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man/Tony Stark, Chris Evans’ Captain America/Steve Rogers, and Chris Hemsworth’s Thor. As some of the franchise’s core characters have moved on, the shift between phases hasn’t been without its flaws. The introduction of numerous new characters in the Multiverse Saga has unfortunately resulted in less screen time for several highly promising heroes.

In the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), some previously living characters haven’t received satisfactory character growth, indicating that even a renowned franchise like the MCU can fall short in character development. However, there is still room for improvement with these five heroes, and the MCU could potentially rectify this situation moving forward.

Moon Knight

Read moreHunt: Showdown Permanently Gets Cheaper, but With a Catch

The 2022 Disney+ series “Moon Knight” introduced us to a complex, morally ambiguous superhero, brilliantly played by Oscar Isaac. The character’s split personality disorder, manifested in the alters Marc Spector and Steven Grant, sets Moon Knight apart as one of the most intriguing figures in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Unfortunately, since the show was aired, there hasn’t been any further appearance of Moon Knight in the MCU, and as of now, no definite plans for Season 2 have been announced. For almost three years, it seemed that Moon Knight’s future in the MCU was uncertain. However, recent comments from Marvel Television head Brad Winderbaum indicate that the franchise has plans for the character, giving fans some hope. The specifics of when and where we can expect to see Moon Knight again are yet to be revealed, but considering the MCU’s long absence of this hero, they have a lot to make up for.

Valkyrie

In 2017’s “Thor: Ragnarok,” Tessa Thompson made her entrance as Valkyrie, a captivating character in the God of Thunder’s narrative. Her appearances in “Avengers: Endgame” (2019) and “Thor: Love and Thunder” (2022), along with her initial debut, show that she has immense potential, extending beyond a supporting role. From a cast-off warrior to the ruler of New Asgard, Valkyrie’s journey is fascinating. Regrettably, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) hasn’t utilized her screen time effectively.

Valkyrie’s storyline in the MCU varies significantly from her comic book counterpart, leaving plenty of room for creative exploration. The future could see Valkyrie taking on a solo project, but until then, it would be smart for the MCU to bring Thompson back soon and capitalize on Valkyrie’s untapped potential.

Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers

Read moreDeadpool & Wolverine Director Reveals What Part of Making Sequel Was Most Fun

Although starring in two films, Brie Larson’s character Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers has unfortunately taken a back seat in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). After her debut in 2019’s Captain Marvel, her role was surprisingly minor in Avengers: Endgame. Initially, Carol Danvers’ introduction suggested she would become one of the MCU’s leading characters in the future, but this has not been fully realized. The 2023 film, The Marvels, represented a promising return for Carol as she joined forces with Iman Vellani’s Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan and Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau. However, it remains to be seen if the underperforming film will lead to significant future roles for any of its main characters. Despite being one of the MCU’s most powerful figures, Captain Marvel has not been given the prominence she deserves. Her lackluster appearances in the MCU necessitate a change soon, and this can be achieved in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday and 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars.

Shang-Chi

It’s been nearly four years since Simu Liu’s debut as Shang-Chi in “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” (2021). While news about a sequel was quickly announced, there hasn’t been much progress on the project since. Meanwhile, it’s unclear if Shang-Chi will appear in other upcoming projects like “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Secret Wars.” The fact that Shang-Chi has been put aside by the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) risks diminishing the impact of his successful debut. As it stands, with a potential “Shang-Chi 2” still several years away, the title character seems to be without a role for now. To keep fans engaged in Shang-Chi’s storyline, Marvel needs to take action and find ways to involve him in upcoming major events rather than leaving him on hold.

Hulk/Bruce Banner

Read moreDespicable Me 4 Holds Box Office Lead, Longlegs Stuns

It’s hard to fathom that Mark Ruffalo has been portraying the Hulk/Bruce Banner in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for over a decade now. He replaced Edward Norton as the Hulk in the 2012 film, “The Avengers,” and since then, he’s given an outstanding performance as both the scientist and his green monster alter ego across various Avengers movies. The latest appearance of the Hulk in the MCU was in the 2022 Disney+ series, “She-Hulk: Attorney at Law.” However, it remains unclear where the character’s journey will lead next. Fans have been vocal about their desire for a standalone movie featuring Ruffalo’s Hulk, but as of now, it doesn’t seem like one is planned.

Although the hero played a crucial part in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Infinity Saga, it appears that the franchise has sometimes struggled to handle his character effectively. Some questionable writing choices, such as Bruce’s underdeveloped relationship with Natasha Romanoff (portrayed by Scarlett Johansson) and the combination of Bruce and Hulk to create Smart Hulk, have arguably diminished the trajectory of a beloved character skillfully portrayed by a talented actor. Fortunately, Hulk continues to be a probable figure in both “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Secret Wars,” suggesting that he could reappear in some of the MCU’s most significant tales once more.

Read More

2025-03-12 23:12