TheAvengersmovies led to many heroes becoming part of the team, but not all of thoseMarvel Cinematic Universeplayers led solo films, and some of them deserve to.Most of the MCU’s original Avengers led at least one solo entryin the franchise. Characters like Captain America, Thor, and Iron Man have entries among theMCU’s best movies.
That said, far from all the MCU’s Avengers have had that chance. I understand why that could not happen. After all,Marvel only had a limited number of dates per yearin theMCU’s packed release schedule. So, for most of the MCU’s tenure, bigger characters have been favored when it comes to solo films. Still, other Avengers also deserve them.
That should become more complicated soon, asAvengers: Doomsday’s castincludes an elevated number of heroes from the MCU and beyond. Who knows how many of them will be part ofSam Wilson’s Avengers or the New Avengers— the latter formerly known as the Thunderbolts. Two Avengers teams can lead to many heroes who still need solo movies becoming Avengers.
While we can’t predict the future, a look at the state of the franchise now is warranted.Out of every character who has been part of an Avengers team, there are eight who never led a single solo film.Due to a few factors, I believe that some of them deserve a solo entry more than others. Here is why:
8Okoye
First Avengers Movie Appearance In Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
I know some fans might be confused about whether Okoye was truly an Avenger. That will be the case for a few of the MCU characters on the list. However, it is important to remember that inAvengers: Endgame, there was a 5-year gap before the heroes brought back the rest.A new team then rose under Black Widow’s leadership.
2018
2022
Black Panther 3
TBD
Okoye is a fierce fighter who always stood by T’Challa’s side in the MCU. She is undoubtedly one of the best characters in the Black Panther movies.At one point, Okoye was set to have a solo series. However, despite enjoying her arc, I don’t feel like a solo project for her is needed, as bigger characters deserve it more.
7Nebula
I want to see more of Karen Gillan’s Nebula in the MCU, but it does not necessarily have to be through a solo movie. Nebula has one of the best character arcs in the franchise,going from Thanos' killing machine to a true hero.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3had her as the team’s “mom,” quite the character turn.
Nebula’s major role in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies is enough as far as a big presence in movies is needed for the character. We have seen her find a family, let go of Thanos and her tragic upbringing, and make up with her sister, Gamora.A Nebula movie is not needed, but future adventures in another project are.
6Rocket Raccoon
Bradley Cooper’s Rocket Raccoon is one of my favorite MCU heroes. While I would gladly go to the theater to watch a Rocket solo movie, I believehe has essentially had one already. For a long time, Rocket’s past was shrouded in darkness. James Gunn made sure he brought that to light before leaving Marvel behind to helm DC Studios.
Rocket Raccoon now leads a new Guardians of the Galaxy team alongside Groot and a few newcomers.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3put Rocket at the forefront. In the present, the team banded together to save his life and get revenge for him against the High Evolutionary. In the past, we learned about Rocket’s tragic upbringing. Instead of a solo film,Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4with Rocket as the team’s captain makes more sense.
5Vision
First Avengers Movie Appearance In Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)
Paul Bettany has been with the Marvel Studios franchise right from the start. As such, the actor is one of the most deserving of a solo movie out of the Avengers that have none. That said, I could not rank Vision above any of the characters who are higher than him on the list for two very important MCU reasons.
WandaVisiondid focus more on Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch, but Bettany’s Vision was the show’s male lead. In addition to that,he will star in his own Marvel series, 2026’sVision, which will even see the MCU return of James Spader’s Ultron. There is a lot more to explore with White Vision and his sons, but it can happen on TV.
4Quicksilver
Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Quicksilver is one of the most underutilized heroes in the MCU.He formally debuted inAvengers: Age of Ultronand was killed at the end of the movie. As can be seen by the Scarlet Witch’s story, there would have been a lot to do with Quicksilver if he had stayed alive. Thankfully, it’s not too late for Marvel.
Since Sony’sKraven the Hunterdid not take off, Taylor-Johnson has no superhero franchise at the moment. I believe that a Quicksilver solo movie that sees him come back to life would be one of the most interesting prospects for the Avengers with no solo films. With the X-Men coming inAvengers: Doomsday,Quicksilver and Magneto could even be connected.
3Hawkeye
First Avengers Movie Appearance In The Avengers (2012)
I understand that Hawkeye ranking so highly might be controversial due to how Jeremy Renner co-led an MCU series with Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop. However, Clint Barton is one of the few remaining original Avengers members in the MCU, and he has repeatedly been handed the short end of the stick, beingthe only original Avenger without a solo movie.
InThe Avengers, Hawkeye spent most of the film brainwashed by Loki while the other heroes teamed up. Then,inAvengers: Infinity War, Clint was absent entirely. I feel like Hawkeye deserves better. A solo film in the vein ofCaptain America: Civil War, perhaps with a street-level MCU event starring Hawkeye, would help ensure that the character finally shines.
2War Machine
Speaking of Avengers that got handed the short end of the stick, I feel like War Machine deserves a solo movie. He got close to it, with Marvel initially planning anArmor WarsDisney+ series starring Rhodey, which eventually transformed into a movie.Armor Warswas set to explore what happened when Stark tech fell into the wrong hands.
Sadly, it seems like the project has been scrapped by Marvel, with no updates in a long time.Ironheartwas recently released on Disney+, showing there is potential in Tony Stark’s legacy for Marvel to explore. AfterSecret Invasionrevealed Rhodey was replaced by a Skrull, a solo movie of him reclaiming his life and defending Stark’s legacy would be exciting.
1Scarlet Witch
Finally, Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch is the Avengers member with no solo movie that deserves one the most. While she led Disney+‘sWandaVision,the character has simply become so popular that she could easily lead a box office hit. Wanda’s villain role inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesshelped the film to $955.8 million (viaBox Office Mojo).
At the moment, theScarlet Witch is dead in the MCU. However, with White Vision soon reclaiming his past and her twin sons now back in the franchise, she has to return. A Scarlet Witch solo movie focused on Wanda’s return with a redemption arc would be one of the MCU’s most talked-about projects for anyAvengersmember.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
