Every Major Phase 1 Characters Still Active In The MCU In 2026

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe has become the most successful movie franchise of recent times, but many of the heroes and villains from its earliest films are no longer part of the ongoing story. Starting with Iron Man in 2008, the MCU quickly expanded, introducing a large cast of characters. However, due to the dangerous nature of the stories, many of these characters have either died or stepped away from their roles. The constant battles and high stakes mean that lasting, peaceful lives are rare for both heroes and villains.

The impact of the original Avengers is still felt throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but most of those heroes aren’t currently featured in new stories. Interestingly, some of the supporting characters and villains from the early days of the MCU are still around, and haven’t died or stepped away. It’s unclear if we’ll see them again anytime soon, but here’s a look at those characters who are still active somewhere in the MCU.

Honorable Mentions: Hawkeye & War Machine

While it hasn’t been officially stated that Hawkeye and War Machine are retired – Jeremy Renner insists Hawkeye could return at any time – neither character is currently confirmed to appear in the upcoming Doomsday film or a project planned for 2026. It’s entirely possible both are no longer active, even though Armor Wars is still reportedly in the works. Without any story developments confirming their activities, it’s safest to say they’re currently in a state of uncertainty. Other characters, like Pepper Potts, Lady Sif, and both versions of General Ross, are in a similar position – there’s no clear indication they’ll play a significant role in future stories.

10) Loki

Loki started as a primary villain in the early days of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), but has become one of its most popular and complex anti-heroes. He was the main antagonist in both the first Thor movie (2011) and The Avengers (2012), playing a key role in the initial phases of the MCU. As of 2026, Loki, now known as the God of Stories, continues to be an important character, working to protect the Multiverse. Tom Hiddleston will reprise his role as Loki in the upcoming film, Avengers: Doomsday.

9) Thor

Thor first appeared in his own movie in 2011 and has since become a central figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Beyond his incredible powers, he’s won over fans with his humor and relatable personality, making him one of the franchise’s most beloved characters. He remains an active part of the MCU, currently raising his adopted daughter, Love, and is set to return in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie.

8) Red Skull

The Red Skull first appeared as the primary villain in the 2011 film Captain America: The First Avenger. Despite seemingly dying at the end of that movie, he surprisingly reappeared as the keeper of the Soul Stone on Vormir. Although we haven’t seen much of him since, it’s likely he’s still out there somewhere, given that he was last seen alive and in a role that would require him to be active indefinitely.

7) J.A.R.V.I.S.

James D’Arcy, who played in the Agent Carter series, is surprisingly coming back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2026. He’ll be reprising his role as the original human version of the character who later became Iron Man’s AI assistant. While Agent Carter aired later in the MCU timeline, this return technically brings back his earlier form. D’Arcy will appear in the late-2026 series VisionQuest, alongside other human versions of Stark’s AI creations—the details of how or why this is happening are currently unknown. James Spader is also rumored to appear as a human version of Ultron. It’s a really intriguing idea overall.

6) Raza Hamidmi al-Wazar

The villain from the original Iron Man movie will be back in the 2026 film, alongside D’Arcy’s character, Jarvis. This is surprising since the character seemingly died fighting Obadiah Stane. While Stane destroyed the fake Ten Rings organization as part of his plan against Tony Stark, Faran Tahir, who played Raza, is confirmed to reappear in VisionQuest. However, he might not be truly alive. Theories about the plot suggest Vision will be trying to recover lost memories to understand himself, which could involve revisiting key events like Tony’s time in Afghanistan. In this scenario, Raza might just be a figure from those memories.

5) Steve Rogers

Chris Evans will return as Captain America in 2026, appearing in the movie Avengers: Doomsday. While he’s currently not part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this confirms his return to action as Steve Rogers towards the end of the year. Some fans are questioning bringing the character back after his ending in Endgame, but Marvel has confirmed his active role in the MCU will continue in 2026.

4) Peggy Carter

Even though Hayley Atwell’s Peggy Carter wasn’t in the Doomsday trailer revealing Steve Rogers’ return, she’s almost certainly going to be in the next Avengers movie. As Steve’s mother, her peaceful life with him would likely be disrupted if Doctor Doom is fixing the timeline to stop problems, and it wouldn’t make sense to address that without showing her on screen.

After Deadline first reported in December 2024 that Hayley Atwell would reprise her role, speculation arose that we might see multiple versions of Peggy Carter in Doomsday. However, this hasn’t been officially confirmed, and remains just a rumor fueled by the possibilities of the multiverse.

3) Nick Fury

Nick Fury’s first appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is still considered a highlight. His brief scene after the credits of Iron Man proved that all the movies were connected, and he was instrumental in bringing the Avengers together. Most recently, he appeared in The Marvels as the head of SABER. While he hasn’t been a major character in recent stories, he continues to operate behind the scenes, and fans are eager to see when he’ll return to the screen.

2) Bucky Barnes

Bucky Barnes is a great example of a Marvel Cinematic Universe villain who found redemption. Originally introduced as Captain America’s close friend in Captain America: The First Avenger, his supposed death and later reappearance as the Winter Soldier brought his story into the present day. Since then, he’s become a fan favorite and continues to be a key player in the MCU’s ongoing narrative.

1) Hulk

Bruce Banner, first appearing in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, is a long-standing character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’s not only incredibly strong as the Hulk, but also one of the smartest people in the MCU, making him a vital part of the franchise. As one of the original Avengers still actively involved, Bruce Banner is set to return in the 2026 film Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

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2026-01-25 21:16