Avengers: Secret Warspromises to be the single biggest crossover event of theMarvel Cinematic UniversesinceAvengers: Endgame, with plenty of long-awaited character returns likely to finally manifest at long last. Taking inspiration from the comic book of the same name,the plot ofAvengers: Secret Warsis likely to see all the MCU’s most prominent heroes and villains together on a fabricated Battleworld at the behest of the all-powerful Beyonder. As such, the film has the opportunity to include some hotly-anticipated returns of long-dormant characters.
In recent years,the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been somewhat notorious for introducing new characters only to sideline them, never being seen again outside their solo projects.Outside the confirmed cast ofAvengers: Secret Wars, it’s possible that the film could finally see the reprisal of underused roles throughout Phases 5 and 6, possibly evensurpassing the roster ofAvengers: Endgame.It’s also worth mentioning that the MCU may continue to experiment with reprisal of old pre-MCU characters via the multiverse, as was done inDeadpool & WolverineandSpider-Man: No Way Home.
10Wesley Snipes' Blade
There’s still only one Blade (For now)
One of the most acclaimed cameos ofDeadpool & Wolverinewas the surprising return of Wesley Snipes' Blade. Being the star of one of the first successful Marvel film series ever, Snipes demonstrated that he’s still got it in his cameo appearance, cutting through swarms of Cassandra Nova’s minions. The movie even poked fun at thetroubled development of the MCU’sBladeremake, claiming that “There’s only ever gonna be one Blade.”
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Considering the continued behind-the-scenes issues experienced by the reboot, it’s possible that Wesley Snipes' Blade will return to the MCU a second time before the new version is ever given a chance to manifest.The popularity of hisDeadpool & Wolverineappearance only makes such an occasion all the more likely.With the multiversal shenanigans of the current overarching story, it’s easy enough to hand wave away Snipes' reappearance.
9Shang-Chi
Has been strangely absent since his introduction
Ever since his introduction in his solo film,Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Simu Liu’s martial arts master has been oddly absent in following Marvel films.Despite joining forces with Wong, who has repeatedly demonstrated to be a favorite for cameos in following MCU projects likeShe-Hulk: Attorney at Law,Shang-Chi himself has yet to reappear in the series. It’s a shame Marvel Studios hasn’t found more room to fit in one of their best new characters.
Shang-Chi could even enjoy a new boost in power over the events of the film, possibly gaining his comic powers of duplication.
Hopefully,Avengers: Secret Warswill see the long-awaited return of the kung fu expert.Shang-Chi could even enjoy a new boost in power over the events of the film, possibly gaining his comic powers of duplication. In reality, Shang-Chi should’ve been featured in some Marvel Cinematic Universe project long beforeAvengers: Secret Warsreleases, but the crossover film will represent a final deadline for Simu Liu’s hero to finally return.
8Nicolas Cage’s Ghost Rider
The spirit of vengeance needs to ride again
If there’s one mid 2000s Marvel movie character deserving of acameo inDeadpool & Wolverinethat didn’t get one, it’s Nicolas Cage’s Ghost Rider.The stunt rider Johnny Blaze was transformed into a flaming spirit of vengeance by the demon Mephisto, becoming a dark deliverer of penance in two stand-alone solo films. The character got a different interpretation, Robbie Reyes, inAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but the Nic Cage version remains the most famous and sought-after incarnation of the supernatural hero.
Once again, the dimension-hopping nature of the multiverse could be a great place to see the long-awaited return of Nicolas Cage’s Johnny Blaze after years without a release.Even better, he could be a great way to introduce the more demonic side of the Marvel mythology, an area that remains desperately untapped by the MCU as of now.It would be nothing short of show-stopping to see Cage’s flaming bike come screaming into frame after 14 years of theatrical absence.
7Moon Knight
Needs to make the leap from Disney+ to the big screen
Many of the characters introduced in the Disney+ streaming shows still haven’t gotten the cinematic screen time they deserve.If Blade or Ghost Rider show up, few would be better than Moon Knight to join them on a supernatural crusade rounding out a cinematic version of the comic team, the Midnight Sons. As one of the strongest performances of any Disney+ exclusive character, Oscar Isaac’s Marc Spector and Steven Grant would be wonderful to see sharing the screen with the MCU’s better-known heroes.
Admittedly, as a primarily street-level character, Moon Knight might feel out of place in the cosmic arena of theSecret Warsstoryline.But from the series that managed to make Hawkeye and Black Widow feel impactful against the existential threat of Thanos, this shouldn’t be too big of an issue.Hearing Moon Knight’s chilling orchestral theme announce his sudden arrival inAvengers: Secret Warswould be sure to manifest goosebumps in patient fans.
6Eric Bana’s Hulk
Could bring back the savage Hulk in a big way
Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner is a mere shadow of his first appearance inThe Avengersin the current state of MCU canon.Having rectified his two conflicting personalities off-screen to become the lovable Professor Hulk, Banner isn’t much of a compelling character anymore, mainly serving as a comic relief foil to the likes of She-Hulk and Thor.
This leaves the classic fury of the vengeful Hulk sadly out of the equation for the next major MCU crossover, something that could be sovled by the reappearance of Eric Bana’s ancient Hulk.
Granted, theawkward legal situation regarding Hulk moviesmight’ve prevented such a move in the past,Universal’s lingering rights on the character preventing a solo Mark Ruffalo Hulk movie in the first place. But with more resources to legally manuever around such limitations than ever, as proven by the absorption of Spider-Man and the X-Men into the MCU, it’s unlikely that rights will be an issue any longer. Eric Bana could being The Hulk back to his classic, raging state forAvengers: Secret Warsalongside a healthy dose of nostalgia.
5The Guardians Of The Galaxy
The updated team could see a final hurrah in Secret Wars
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3stands out in being one of the few MCU films to feel like a definitive ending.The conclusion of James Gunn’s brilliant space opera trilogy ends with Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Mantis, and Nebula all leaving the team to go their separate ways, leaving Rocket and Groot in charge of a fresh Guardians line-up of newcomers. All in all, it’s incredibly unlikely that the classic Guardians of the Galaxy roster will ever be returning to the MCU.
That being said, there’s a delicious possibility that Rocket and Groot’s new team could re-appear to join the fray inAvengers: Secret Wars.After all, getting the vocal talents of Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel to return as Rocket and Groot would be far easier for the studio to manage than justifying a major in-person appearance from the likes of Chris Pratt or Dave Bautista.It would be a shame for the MCU to never utilize the new Guardians of the Galaxy team outside of the series, andAvengers: Secret Warswould be the perfect opportunity.
4Ultron
Might see his grand villainous return
In terms of MCU villains, it’s hard to find a greater case of wasted potential than Ultron.Despite his menacing appearance and the excellent dulcet tones of James Spader’s voice, Ultron was casually killed off in the same film he was introduced in, despite being a major threat in the comics. Luckily, it seems as though the upcomingVision TV show will revive Ultron, with Spader confirmed to reprise his role as the character for the first time in ten years.
As a sentient computer program, there’s no limit to the number of ways for Ultron to survive and thrive in different worlds, overcoming death as often as the story needs him to.
After returning in the Vision solo series, it would make sense for Ultron to continue his reign of terror alongside other world-threatening villains like Kang and Doctor Doom inAvengers: Secret Wars.Seeing him interact with other major antagonists would be a great piece of payoff for MCU fans' patience.As a sentient computer program, there’s no limit to the number of ways for Ultron to survive and thrive in different worlds, overcoming death as often as the story needs him to.
3The Eternals
Another missing superhero team in need of a revival
Few Marvel Cinematic Universe characters have been as swept under the rug as the Eternals, whose negatively-reviewed debut film was all but wiped out of Marvel Studios canon.Despite making up a relativley important aspect of the MCU Earth’s creation myth, the Eternals have yet to return in a Marvel project since their premiere in 2021’sEternals, languishing in obscurity. Recently, the film has been re-assessed with a more open mind by some fans, who have retroactively given the title a small cult following.
Considering the grand cosmic implications ofAvengers: Secret Wars,it might be as good a time of any to return to the long-ignored superhero team. Considering thatCaptain America: Brave New Worldis finally addressing the massive celestial corpse left floating in the Indian Ocean as a result ofEternals’ending, it could be the case that the parahuman protectors will finally cross paths with other major characters.Even if their return might not be as widely celebrated as other characters, if nothing else, the Eternals could pad out the roster ofAvengers: Secret Wars.
2Ulysses Klaue
Is oddly important in the Secret Wars comic
One villain the MCU has introduced and killed off perhaps too early is none other than Andy Serkis' Ulysses Klaue.Clearly modeled after the comic villain Klaw, Serkis' character was a despicable delight to watch inBlack Panther,which saw him sadly die at the hands of Erik Killmonger. A fan favorite side villain, Klaue might have an interesting chance to be revived inAvengers: Secret Warsthanks to his surprising importance.
TheMCU has ignored certain villain powers from comics, especially when it comes to Klaue.While the villain started off as a simple human with a prosthetic enhancement, as his MCU version reflects, the character eventually gains a body made of solid sound that ends up being of vital importance in theSecret Warscomic storyline. Perhaps the MCU could find a way to re-introduce Serkis' endlessly entertaining despicable vibranium thief in a new sound-based body just in time forAvengers: Secret Wars.
1America Chavez
Might be of vital importance to the next major crossover
Avengers: Secret Warsis in something of an awkward position in the grand scheme of the MCU, being left to drum up hype and pick up the pieces in the wake of the failed Multiverse saga.Even if Kang will no longer be the next big bad to terrorize the MCU, the dimension-traveling nature of his being still has made a profound impact on the series, seen as recently in films likeDeadpool & Wolverine.With this in mind, few character returns will make as much sense for the crossover movies to come as America Chavez.
A young girl with mysterious multiverse-traveling powers, America Chavez could come to be of vital importance forAvengers: Secret Wars.Her ability to bring others with her across different dimensions could be crucial in organizing heroes from across the MCU’s multiverse, opening the door for more cameos from pre-MCU films. Last seen honing her powers with the mystic practitioners of Kamar-Taj, Chavez was left off at a great place to return forAvengers: Secret Wars.
