Squirrel Girl Desperately Needs the MCU

A surprising aspect of the Marvel Cinematic Universe post-2019 is that the franchise’s movie productions seem less keen on featuring obscure characters. After releasing films like Shang-Chi and Eternals, Marvel Studios has primarily concentrated on sequels for established franchises such as Spider-Man and Deadpool. Gone are the days when they were willing to bet on characters that were largely unknown to the masses, like Iron Man, Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange, and even Black Panther. Instead, Marvel Studios has been more inclined towards producing fourth installments featuring characters who have been around for a decade, such as Thor and Captain America.

Over time, some of the thrill and unpredictability that characterized the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) seems to have subsided, replaced by a sense of apprehension about upcoming films such as another Ant-Man movie, which appears to follow a similar style to the Avengers. It’s high time Marvel Studios took risks again by casting fresh faces for their movies, potentially introducing characters that are long due for the big screen. Frankly, it’s unfortunate that Squirrel Girl (Doreen Green) hasn’t made her debut in the MCU yet.

Who Is Squirrel Girl?

Doreen Green, also known as Squirrel Girl, debuted for the first time in Marvel Super-Heroes Volume 2 Issue 8 during winter 1991. The character was brought to life by writer Will Murray and artist Steve Ditko. Her initial appearance had her accompanying Iron Man and managing to outsmart Doctor Doom unintentionally. Given her name, she possesses powers associated with squirrels, including talking to them and having a massive fluffy tail. Throughout her adventures, she’s often accompanied by squirrel companions such as Monkey Joe and later Tippy-Toe. Initially thought of as a one-time character, Squirrel Girl reappeared in the Great Lakes Avengers storyline from around the mid-2000s.

Subsequently, following brief appearances in various comic books, she took center stage in the 2015 series “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl“, significantly boosting her fame by ten times. Initially, Squirrel Girl was a casual joke character in Deadpool comics or visual gags within “Fantastic Four: World’s Greatest Heroes“. However, in the mid-2010s, she became a consistent presence in Marvel media, appearing in animated shows like “Marvel Rising” and the initial LEGO Marvel video games. Lately, she has become a beloved character in the game “Marvel Rivals“, expanding her fan base even further.

It’s easy to understand why Squirrel Girl has rapidly gained popularity among fans. While some prefer the gritty, serious hero like The Punisher (Frank Castle), others crave a character like Squirrel Girl who embraces her superhero role and gets involved in whimsical escapades. Her portrayal in comics, video games, and animation is filled with an infectious joy that doesn’t try to make sense of such an absurd crime fighter. This unapologetic enthusiasm makes her all the more endearing. Furthermore, the distinctive art style of The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl, developed by Erica Henderson, added a unique and fun element to Marvel Comics imagery, further distinguishing the character.

We Almost Got Squirrel Girl in the MCU

Since 2019, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has predominantly delved into epic cosmic journeys and heavy contemplations on mortality on the silver screen. Unfortunately, these dramatic explorations have left little space for Doreen Green, or Squirrel Girl, which is truly regrettable as her vibrant, energetic presence could breathe a fresh, distinctive life into a series that’s been striving to replicate the successes of Thor: Ragnarok and Captain America: The Winter Soldier. It’s particularly disappointing since Squirrel Girl almost became part of this epic tale. As an ardent fan, I can’t help but feel that her absence is a missed opportunity for the franchise.

In 2017 and 2018, a TV series titled “New Warriors,” produced by Marvel Television within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was being developed for Freeform. Milana Vayntrub was set to star as Squirrel Girl in this series, which would feature an eclectic group of superheroes. The pilot episode of “New Warriors” was filmed and received acclaim, but unfortunately, Freeform decided not to air the show, and no other networks expressed interest in picking it up. Despite some sneak peeks at Squirrel Girl’s costume and the visual effects used for Tippy-Toe being shared online, “New Warriors” has never been broadcasted.

The live-action portrayal of Squirrel Girl in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was unfortunately never given a chance to debut on television. However, Vayntrub has since become synonymous with Doreen Green/Squirrel Girl, appearing in various media such as Marvel Rising shorts, podcasts, and even the Marvel Rivals game. Her continued prominence in the years following the cancellation of New Warriors underscores Squirrel Girl’s enduring popularity, a trait that Marvel Studios should leverage. Recent MCU projects like Captain America: Brave New World have failed to captivate audiences despite attempts to recreate past successes. It’s high time we introduce a fresh take on the character who has dominated the last decade of Marvel media for a valid reason.

Captain America: Brave New World is now playing in theaters.

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2025-03-22 23:41