Even with over 60 live action films and TV series based on Marvel characters available for public consumption it’s hard to believe how many heroes still haven’t gotten their chance in the spotlight. Some of the most popular Marvel heroes still haven’t appeared on the big or small screen outside of animated form. The reasons for this are wide and varied.
The still tangled web of different property rights is a major reason. Many of your favorite mutants are controlled by 20thCentury Fox who is finally just beginning to explore the X-Men universe. Other characters are caught in a weird limbo of rights between Sony Pictures, who still controls theSpider-Manfranchise, Fox and Marvel Studios. For instance, both Fox and Marvel had the right to use Quicksilver who turned up in two different movie incarnations within weeks of each other. It sort of worked and it sort of didn’t.
Also, unlike DC that is more than OK with duplicating characters on the big and small screen, Marvel is creating one gigantic interconnecting universe. That means shows likeAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D. andDaredevilcan’t create their own versions of known Avengers characters without fans assuming that’s the definitive Black Knight or Moon Knight (more on them later) for all of Marvel. And, frankly, there may just be too many popular Avengers members and international heroes for Marvel to deal with when you have that particular strategy.
Keeping that in mind, here are 20 Marvel heroes most fans are still hoping to eventually see kicking ass in some form or another (assuming the powers at be can find the time to give them a home).
First appearance:Nova#1, Sept. 1976
Real identity:Richard Ryder
Lowdown:Sure, the Nova Corps are alive and well in theGuardians of the Galaxymovie franchise, but the greatest Nova of them all, Richard Ryder, hasn’t stepped hd his moment yet (at least not that we know of). Ryder has an Avenger connection as a one-time member and has saved the Marvel comic book universe on his own more than once. Every kid wanted his super powers growing up (Flying through space! a constant force field! Energy blasters!) and he’s also that Marvel relatable twentysomething that’s now missing from the big screen back to being a Spider-Man a goofy teenager again.
Best Chance:Baring a surprise cameo inGuardians vol. 2, the best hope for Ryder is to debut in a space-themed future Marvel Studios endeavor suchas Avengers: Infinity War, a fourthThorfilm or – and this seems the most likely –Captain Marvel.
Note:Another hero took the mantle of Nova over the past decade, the undeniably adorable Sam Alexander. It would be great for Marvel to bring a hero with real Hispanic heritage such as Sam into the mix, but he may just be too similar in personality to the new Spidey to work at this time.
First appearance:Savage She-Hulk#1
Real identity:Jennifer Walters
Lowdown:One of Marvel’s most powerful heroes, Bruce Banner’s cousin is a Hulk in control of her own body (there’s no Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde issue here) with a keen intelligence and sharp wit. Marvel figured out the best way to exploit the character by focusing on Walters background as a defense lawyer, but since her debut three decades ago She-Hulk has been a key member of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and The Defenders. The fact Marvel Studios hasn’t found a way to introduce a hero so interconnected in its comic book universe is sort of head scratching.
Best Chance:FutureAvengersfilm orCaptain Marvelalthough we’re betting on the later. Walters’ friendship with Carol Danvers is the perfect opportunity to also bring in some of Marvel’s other powerful ladies including a number of other heroines on this list. ADefendersappearance isn’t out of the question, we’re just not sure even Netflix has the budget to pull a CG motion capture She-Hulk off for more than a scene or two.
First appearance:New Mutants#87 (as Cable), 1990
Real identity:Nathan Summers
Lowdown:The long grown son of Scott Summers and Madelyne Pryor – wait for it – a clone of Jean Grey, Cable was raised in the far future for his own protection only to return to the present a man seemingly older than his father and with combat abilities no one could have fathomed. He also was visibly battle scared with a robotic right arm. He’s a character with the sort of convoluted history that gives screenwriters headaches, but that tragic background has helped turn him into a fan favorite with more solo titles than his pop Cyclops has ever had. The question is how do you introduce him into an established movie universe without a 10-minute long exposition explaining who he actually is and how he got to be that way?
Best Chance:Cable is set to appear in 20thCentury Fox’sX-Forcethat has been in active development since 2013, but still doesn’t have a director or release date. However, a post-credits scene forDeadpoolsays the character will appear inDeadpool 2.
Marvel’s Hercules
First appearance:Journey Into Mystery, Annual #1, 1965
Real identity:Hercules (he’s actually the Greek Heracles, but Marvel uses the more familiar Roman God name)
Lowdown:Since Thor first debuted in 1962, Stan Lee made the Norse and Greek gods cornerstones of his Marvel comic book universe. The immortal son of Zeus and a mortal woman, Hercules has been a constant for Marvel in his own title and as a longstanding member of The Avengers. In fact, for a good chunk of the 80’s and 90’s it would be easier to find Hercules hanging out in Avengers Mansion than the God of Thunder. Why he hasn’t made it to the MCU yet is complicated, but the biggest reason is likely that the ale drinking, gregarious and sometimes naive Chris Hemsworth Thor you’ve seen on the big screen is much closer to the characterization of the comic book Hercules than the comic book Thor. Until Thor leaves the big screen Avengers does the MCU need him?
Best Chance:A futureAvengersorThorfeature film.
Wonder Man
First appearance:The Avengers#9, Oct. 1964
Real identity:Simon Williams
Lowdown:A member of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes for almost 40 years, Wonder Man has always been one of those Marvel characters that rarely get the respect he deserves. Granted, his side-career as a Hollywood movie star (think Tom Cruise with less talent), the fact he shares a “wonder” with a more well known DC hero hasn’t helped. And yet, as a man transformed into a being of complete iconic energy (whatever that means) he’s arguably one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel stable. He’s also had a history of mental instability that screams good dramatic conflict in a team setting, but with DC’sWonder Womanalready one of 2017’s most anticipated films would Marvel simply look bad for trying to incorporate their own Wonder into the MCU anytime soon?
Best Chance:You’d have to guess an eventualAvengersor evenIron Manmovie, but don’t be surprised if Wonder Woman’s existence pushes Simon to an arc onAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
First appearance:Giant-Size Creatures#1, July 1974 (as Tigra)
Real identity:Greer Grant Nelson
Lowdown:Talk about a character with a crazy past. A one-time human heroine known as The Cat, Nelson agreed to be transformed into a half-human, half feline hybrid to save her life and be the champion of the Cat People, an ancient and secretive sect that for some reason lived in…Baja, California (hey, it was the early ‘70s people, that was exotic back then). An off and on again member of the Avengers, Tigra has gone through many ups and downs dealing with the “cat” side of her new form. It’s worth noting, however, that she counts She-Hulk and Carol Danvers as good friends in the Marvel comic book universe.
Best Chance:A futureAvengersorCaptain Marvelfilm, if that.
Spectrum (one time known as Captain Marvel)
First appearance:The Amazing Spider-Man Annual#16, 1982
Real identity:Monica Rambeau
Lowdown:If any character needs to be introduced to the MCU sooner rather than later its Rambeau. A former New Orleans Harbor Patrol Lieutenant, freak exposure to extra-dimensional energy gave her the power to turn into any form of energy along the electromagnetic spectrum. That means she can do everything from turn into a living laser beam or fly at the speed of light. She has top tier super powers, abilities that would be a CG artist’s dream. Oh, and as one of the most powerful African-American heroes in the Marvel comic book universe it goes without saying this Avenger needs to get on the big screen ASAP.
Best Chance:A futureAvengers,Captain Marvelor perhaps evenBlack Pantherfilm. The best choice though may be the rumoredIron Man 4.
First appearance:Uncanny X-Men#130, February 1980
Real identity:Alison Blaire
Lowdown:A mutant with the ability to turn sound (often music) into light and energy blasts, Dazzler started off as a record company tie-in for Marvel at the end of the disco era. Her solo title lasted over three years though and being a sometime member of the X-Men for three decades has provided her with a significant cult following (not to mention gay one). If any Marvel character should be the subject of a movie musical it’s Dazzler and that’s a problem because studios are barely making live action musicals as it is.
Best Chance:If Dazzler’s rights were controlled by Marvel you could imagine a one-shot Netflix musical movie. Or even a solo flick with the right creative team. Does anyone trust 20thCentury Fox – who has taken years to get Hugh Jackman’s original musicalThe Greatest Showman on Earthgreenlit – with a Dazzler musical? The next X-Men movie should take place in the ‘90s. Perhaps that’s when Ms. Blaire will finally get her moment on the dance floor?
Moon Knight
First appearance:Werewolf by Night#32, August 1975
Real identity:Marc Spector
Lowdown:An American who became the living avatar for the Egyptian Moon god Khonshu (Holy major cultural appropriation!), Moon Knight has often been put in the hands of some of the most creative writers and artists working at Marvel. It’s partially because of the hero’s iconic costume and the fact Spector has suffered psychological issues and, at one time, a multiple personality disorder. Never heard of him? Imagine Daredevil with his eyesight and superhuman abilities depending on the phases of the moon. This is a character that’s been an Avenger, a street fighter, battled Doctor Doom, produced a fictional TV series about himself and ventured into the supernatural. There is a ton to explore here.
Best Chance:Can we say Netflix’sDefendersor a solo Netflix series? It just makes too much sense. Or would Spector fit into aDoctor Strangesequel?
Spider-Woman
First appearance:Marvel Spotlight#32, February 1977
Real identity:Jessica Drew
Lowdown:The star of a legendary ‘70s animated Saturday morning TV show, Spider-Woman has a convoluted comic book origin that has undergone drastic changes over the years. The most important aspect of it though has been the fact that the notorious HYDRA organization has been a thorn in her side for most of her life. Drew has been an Avenger and an Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. She’ s been a super spy, a super hero and, most recently, a private investigator. She has powers similar to Spider-Man (Peter Parker) except she has the added bonus of venom blasts that directs painful bio-energy at an adversary. Over the years she’s become especially good friends with fellow Avenger Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers).
Best Chance:Because of the “spider” name its been long assumed Sony Pictures has the rights to the character, but the deal for Marvel Studios to produce the next wave ofSpider-Manfilms may have changed ht. Can Jessica Drew find a way to join Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in the MCU? Is aCaptain AmericaorCaptain Marveldebut in her future? You know Marvel wants to, but the more important question is, can they?
