10 MCU Characters Who Actually Have Secret Identities

Although the practice is not common in the Marvel Cinematic UniverseSome characters use secret identities. Throughout the movies and TV shows of the MCU, the franchise has brought many aspects of its source material into live-action in an unprecedented way. One of the comic book tropes that didn’t survive the translation to the screen was the idea of ​​heroes using secret identities to maintain their anonymity.

Ever since Tony Stark first announced himself to the world as Iron Man at the beginning of the MCU’s movie timeline, the franchise has avoided the idea of ​​its heroes using aliases to protect their identities. However, as the franchise continued to expand, there were several MCU characters whose true identities were protected for one reason or another, even if the practice was not widespread. With that in mind, here are 10 MCU characters who actually have secret identities.

10

Agatha Harkness used a secret identity to fool Wanda

Wandavision (2021)

WandaVisionThe approach to the story was decidedly innovative, using different formats in each episode to not only recall many eras of television sitcoms, but also to veil the central mystery of the show about exactly what was happening in Westview. It was the work of a sadistic Wanda, but it was also revealed that the Scarlet Witch had been manipulated by Agatha Harkness all along. What’s more, the secret villain of the show has also used a secret identity during her appearances on the show.

Agatha used the name Agnes and was presented over WandaVision Like Wanda and Vij’s neighbor. Part of Agatha’s manipulation was convincing Wanda that she was an ordinary neighbor, and as a result, Marvel was fooled as well. WandaVisionaudience to believe her deception. Agatha not only hid her true identity, but also from the audience of the MCU.

9

Michael Keaton’s Vulture led a double life in the MCU

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

There have been many defining moments in Spider-Man’s MCU story, but his first solo encounter with a supervillain still ranks high. Spider-Man: HomecomingThe villain, The Vulture, is presented in the MCU as a person who was able to salvage alien technology after the Battle of New York and used it to create high-tech weapons and armor. In doing so, he was able to transform himself into a villain, while also harboring a grudge against Tony Stark and the Avengers.

The MCU’s Vulture carefully guards his civilian identityLeading a double life as a family man and a villain. Adrian Toomes’ evil behaviors are later exposed by Spider-Man after Peter Parker encounters him in everyday life and while acting as a hero. Although his secret identity is revealed in the MCU, Toomes is able to lead a double life for several years while maintaining his cover.

8

Bucky Barnes spent decades as the Winter Soldier

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)

The character of Bucky Barnes has made many MCU appearances, first appearing in 2011. Captain America: The First Avenger. While Barnes has since become a hero in the MCU, he was once a prominent villain, being brainwashed by Hydra to become a powerful assassin known as the Winter Soldier. During the decade he spent as Hydra’s secret weapon, his identity was kept under wraps.

While it may not be a secret identity in the traditional sense, Bucky Barnes being the Winter Soldier still fits the bill. Bucky was presumed dead by the world at large after the events of The first revengeSo it wasn’t until the world learned of his survival that his identity became known. It may not have been Bucky’s own choice, but Hydra forced him into a secret identity In order to make him their perfect weapon.

7

Taskmaster’s secret identity was a major MCU reveal

Black Widow (2021)

In the comics, Taskmaster is the alias of Tony Masters, a human mutant with the invisible ability to replicate the movements of anyone he sees. However, Taskmaster’s introduction to the MCU as part of Black Widow‘s cast took creative license with the character, changing the villain’s backstory significantly. As such, Taskmaster’s true identity was unknown to audiences and the heroes of Black Widow Until late in the movie.

The movie later reveals the MCU’s taskmaster to be Antonia Dreykov, the daughter of the film’s main antagonist. After a botched attempt on Drykov’s life, he was presumed dead, Antonia was instead turned into taskmaster, and her identity was closely guarded. In doing so, Black Widow Made Taskmaster’s identity an MCU secret in order to protect the film’s late reveal, making her another character protected by an alias.

6

Tin’s identity is kept secret by magical means

Agatha All Along (2024)

Introduced as part of the cast of Agatha all alongJoe Locke’s character was not identified in the earliest episodes of the show. Known to others only as Tin, he is prevented from revealing his identity by a seal hex. As his unknown identity is the result of magical intervention, it is fair to say that it is kept secret from his fellow characters.

Speculation ahead of Agatha all alongs announcement was that Locke would play Billy Kaplan, also known as Wiccan in the comics. As his undisclosed identity is explored as the show’s story goes on, it’s safe to say that his true name is being kept secret for a reason. As Tin’s hidden past is a key part of Agatha all alongstory, the character becomes another example of the MCU using a secret identity For a prominent character in a major release.

5

Whoever bought Avengers Tower has kept their identity secret

Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

The Avengers Tower, the headquarters of the franchise’s main superhero team, has been introduced in the MCU. The tower, initially owned by Tony Stark, was later retired from its use and sold on to another party. The Avengers moved to a purpose-built facility in upstate New York, but who purchased Avengers Tower remains a mystery.

Although the MCU has offered multiple hints on the identity of the owner of Avengers Tower, it survives as one of the franchise’s longest-running unanswered questions. Considering the character in question has made a point of acquiring one of the most prominent buildings in the entire MCU, it’s likely that their identity will be a significant reveal. However, at the time of writing, The true identity of the character who bought Avengers Tower remains a mystery In the MCU.

4

Ms. Marvel’s secret identity allows her to live a normal life

Ms. Marvel (2022)

As she serves as one of the MCU’s most recognizable teen heroes, Ms. Marvel is a key figure in the franchise. Her formal introduction to the MCU in 2022 Ms. Marvel Also brought key elements of her story to the franchise, while making some changes to her origins and the nature of her powers. However, one thing that did survive in the MCU version of the hero was her secret identity.

Ms. Marvel’s civilian identity is that of Kamala Khan, a teenager in New Jersey with a particular fondness for the Avengers and Captain Marvel. Her bravery acts after the discovery of her latent abilities, they become known as the hero Ms. Marvel, but she does not make her identity publicly known. As such, she is one of the few MCU heroes to keep her secret identity, allowing her to live a normal adolescent life despite her extraterrestrial heroism.

3

Moon Knight has identities that are secret even to himself

Moon Knight (2022)

Moon Knight is a unique hero in the MCU, as he has identities that even seem to be hidden from himself. First introduced in moon night As Stephen Grant, the titular hero is shown living with dissociative identity disorder (DID), and Grant is later revealed to be one of Marc Spector’s alter egos. However, the final moments of moon night Season 1 unveils the existence of a secret third alter, Jake Lockley.

The fact that Marc Spector is living with DID means that he has many identities, or alters, and these separate personalities all stem from severe childhood trauma. however, The complex manifestations of the alters ultimately mean that Mark is unaware of his third alter egoWhich is the most powerful and dangerous of all his identities. As such, Moon Knight possesses a secret identity of sorts, hidden among Marc Spector’s alters.

2

Daredevil’s identity is a closely guarded secret

Daredevil (2015)

First introduced in 2015s Daredevil As part of Marvel’s collaboration with Netflix, Charlie Cox’s version of Man Without Fear was retroactively introduced into the MCU. After being confirmed in the franchise with a cameo in Spider-Man: No Way HomeHe made his first full appearance in She-Hulk: Lawyer. Over the course of Daredevil And the subsequent appearances of the character, the civilian identity of the hero is kept secret from all but his most trusted allies.

Keeping a secret identity is vital to Daredevil’s success in both of his lives. When he practices law by day in Matt Murdock, he would lose his livelihood if he revealed himself as Daredevil. Likewise, if his true identity were to be discovered, Daredevil’s enemies would better understand the nature of his abilities, as they are inherently linked to his loss of vision. As such, Daredevil is one of a select few MCU characters to use a secret identity in the traditional sense.

1

Spider-Man pays a huge price to keep his secret identity

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)

The history of Spider-Man: No Way Home Demonstrates what would happen to Peter Parker if the world discovered he was Spider-Man. The MCU’s multiverse troubles begin after Parker convinces Strange to help him undo the damage of his cover being blown, resulting in multiple villains crossing over into the MCU’s main timeline. The end of the film sees the hero realizing that his anonymity is more important than even his close relationships, which he forgoes to protect his secret.

Spider-Man has been shown to pay a huge price to maintain his secret identity in the MCU, and for good reason. Because of the danger it would cause to those around him and the multiverse in general, Peter Parker cannot announce himself as Spider-Man. As a result, he is perhaps the one Marvel Cinematic UniverseThe best example of a hero forced to keep his identity a secret.