The long history of Marvel films means that there are several characters who deserve a chance to be redeemed before the end of the season. Marvel Cinematic Universefrom the Multiverse Saga. The MCU films introduced many Marvel heroes to the screen, but characters from the comics were also adapted for film before the creation of the franchise. In fact, even in the years since the MCU's inception, heroes from Marvel films have appeared, though they've rarely been able to replicate the success of Marvel's main franchise.
The MCU film timeline saw the establishment of the Multiverse, with Post-End of the game entries in the franchise exploring alternate realities and introducing many variants of existing characters and characters from other franchises. Some of them offered special returns to heroes from previous Marvel films, offering a chance at redemption for missed opportunities or unfulfilled potential. With that in mind, here are 10 Marvel movie heroes who deserve an MCU shot before the Multiverse Saga ends.
10
Tom Hardy's Poison
Last appearance: Venom: The Last Dance (2024)
Sony's Spider-Man Universe films have made a lot of mistakes, but the franchise's handling of Venom has been one of its biggest successes. Tom Hardy's dual performance as Eddie Brock and the eponymous alien symbiote was one of the highlights of Venom and its sequels, with the character gaining more and more popularity as a result. The films have proven that the alien antihero and occasional Spider-Man nemesis can work brilliantly in live action, and that Venom deserves a chance in the MCU.
Although the end of Venom: The Last Dance saw the character's death, a multiversal resurrection is more than plausible. The biggest downside to the Venom film trilogy was the lack of other Marvel characterswhich would be easily remedied in the MCU's Multiverse Saga. Considering the success of Poison films and the popularity of Hardy's take on the character, Venom clearly deserves a full appearance in the MCU.
9
Nick Fury by David Hasselhoff
Last appearance: Nick Fury: Agent of SHIELD (1998)
In 1998, David Hasselhoff played Nick Fury in a TV movie that was widely panned on all fronts. The film was made at a time when Nick Fury was not a particularly well-known figure in the Marvel Universe, and before he was redesigned in the image of Samuel L. Jackson. Despite the poor reception to Hasselhoff's Fury, seeing his return in the MCU could be particularly cathartic.
The Multiverse Saga has already brought back previous versions of heroes that were not well received. For example, Deadpool and WolverineJennifer Garner's casting featured the return of Jennifer Garner's Elektra, offering the character some form of big-screen redemption. Hasselhoff's return as Fury could be an incredible experience Secret Wars cameoand that it would serve as a fun nod to the actor's ill-fated version of the character from pre-MCU days.
8
Magneto by Ian McKellen
Last appearance: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
One of the best casts in Fox's entire X-Men film franchise was Ian McKellen as Magneto. The actor first played the role in 2000 X-Menreturning as Magneto on several occasions, including after Michael Fassbender was cast as his younger self in the previous films. McKellen's Magneto was generally well-received, making his return to the MCU a logical inclusion before the end of the Multiverse Saga.
The depth of McKellen's performance, combined with the comedic precision of his cast, made his Magneto especially popular. Bringing McKellen back to play the role across the Multiverse would also make sense, especially since Patrick Stewart has already returned as Earth-838's Professor X. Although a simple cameo was more likely, McKellen's return as Magneto in any capacity would almost certainly be well-received by Marvel movie fans.
7
Storm by Angela Bassett
Bassett was fan-favorite casting to play Storm in the Fox franchise
Long before MCU casting rumors dominated the conversation, fans still had their own ideas about which actors would best fill certain Marvel roles on the big screen. One of the most popular fan castings ahead of the Fox film's premiere X-Men trilogy was Angela Bassett as Storm. The role ultimately went to Halle Berry, whose performance was met with mixed reactions, but seeing Bassett return to acknowledge her fan cast would be perfect.
The MCU's Multiverse has already set a precedent, with John Krasinski appearing as Reed Richards and Channing Tatum as Gambit. Marvel has already shown that they are attentive to fan castings and that they will occasionally be rewarded on screen. Although Bassett previously played Queen Ramonda in the Black Panther films, the character's death would make her appearance as Storm seem even more plausible, and it would be an opportunity to deliver something that X-Men fans have wanted for decades.
6
The Punisher by Thomas Jane
Last appearance: The Punisher (2004)
The Punisher's film history is considered inconsistent at best and terrible at worst. That's not to say there aren't positives in the character's previous big-screen outings, although previous attempts have failed to achieve critical or commercial success. The 2004 iteration of Frank Castle, played by Thomas Jane, would secretly be an incredible choice to appear in the MCU.
Considering Jane's Punisher's mixed reception, fans aren't too connected to the character. This makes bringing him back across the Multiverse a win-win situation, as His death wouldn't spark outrage, but there would still be plenty of fans eager to see his return. While the character's past troubles on the big screen indicate that a cameo could be much safer, there's no doubt that bringing back Thomas Jane's Punisher could be great.
5
Hulk by Eric Bana
Last appearance: Hulk (2003)
As one of the franchise's founding Avengers, Hulk has undergone enormous development in the MCU films and TV shows. Even though the MCU itself has already seen two versions of the Hulk, there is another from the pre-MCU era that would be the main candidate for the return of the Multiverse Saga. Ang Lee Hulk has become something of a cult classic, with Eric Bana's Hulk standing out as a great choice for a cameo in the MCU.
Eric Bana's Hulk was decidedly different in both appearance and personality from the MCU's Hulk, and seeing the two together on screen could be an incredible sight. While Bana's turn as Hulk was hardly a resounding success, he still has a lot of loyal fans who would undoubtedly like to see him return to the MCU. Bana is also another actor who could make an appearance in the Multiverse Saga as part of Avengers: Secret Wars.
4
Cyclops by James Marsden
Last appearance: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)
There are many characters from Fox's X-Men timeline who have yet to return in the Multiverse Saga. Some stand out more than others, with James Marsden's Cyclops seeming like an unorthodox choice for an appearance in Secret Wars. The actor played Cyclops in the original X-Men trilogy, and briefly reprized the role in a cameo in X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Cyclops' return to the MCU would be perfect for one reason: he deserves redemption. Marsden's iteration of the character had a lot of unfulfilled potential and also suffered one of the most disappointing deaths in comic book movie history. While the return of Marsden's Cyclops isn't expected to be permanent, bringing him back one last time in the MCU could be a perfect way to send him packing before recasting the role for the future of the franchise.
3
Nicolas Cage's Ghost Rider
Last appearance: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)
When it comes to poorly received pre-MCU Marvel movies, Ghost Rider is often cited as one of the most obvious examples. Despite an excellent cast, the 2007 film – and its 2011 sequel – simply failed to deliver a satisfactory adaptation of the titular character, leaving much to the imagination. However, a return in the MCU through the Multiverse Saga could offer redemption for Nicolas Cage's version of the Spirit of Vengeance.
As one of the most famous actors in the world, Nicolas Cage could be a great addition to the MCU, especially if he returned as Johnny Blaze. The development of CGI technology would only help deliver a triumphant return to the hero, and Seeing Cage's Blaze get redemption on the big screen alongside the MCU heroes would be an epic cinematic moment. As one of Marvel's heroes with the greatest cinematic potential, Ghost Rider's return in the Multiverse Saga could be truly unforgettable.
2
Gwen Stacy by Emma Stone
Last appearance: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
Emma Stone's debut as Gwen Stacy only happened four years after the advent of the MCU in 2012. The Amazing Spider-Man. Appearing alongside Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man, Stone's Stacy had great screen presence and stood out as one of the best characters in the two-film franchise. However The Amazing Spider-Man 2 saw her die at the hands of the Green Goblin, Stone's Gwen could be resurrected by the MCU's Multiverse Saga.
As one of the most celebrated modern actors, Emma Stone's MCU debut as Gwen Stacy could be huge. Considering the character's alter ego as Spider-Woman Stone could enter the Multiverse Saga as a full-fledged hero, differentiating the variant of the supporting character she played The Amazing Spider-Man franchise. Regardless of the details, Stone's return as Gwen Stacy would be an extremely popular development for MCU fans, fans of her character, and fans of the actor.
1
Ben Affleck's Daredevil
Last appearance: Daredevil (2003)
Although there were rumors that he would appear in Deadpool and WolverineBen Affleck's Daredevil did not appear in the film. This means Affleck hasn't played the character since the critically panned film Reckless in 2003, making him a perfect candidate for a Multiversal return. The poor reaction to Affleck's leather-clad version of the Man Without Fear would allow for a redeeming cameo, should the MCU choose to bring him back.
While the MCU already has its Daredevil in the form of Charlie Cox, Affleck could return with a cameo in Avengers: Secret Wars. Seeing Affleck reprise the Marvel role, even briefly, would be a good moment of fan service and could poke fun at Recklessthe terrible reputation. As such, bringing back Ben Affleck as Daredevil in Marvel Cinematic Universe could be one of the best cameos in the Multiverse Saga.
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February 14, 2025
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July 25, 2025
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July 24, 2026
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