TheMarvel Cinematic Universehas added several heroes to theAvengersroster over the years, and a few of them who have yet to star in a solo movie need to return to the franchise to continue their stories. When one thinks of theMCU’s Avengers movies,the classic iteration of the teamthat started it all comes to mind.
That roster included Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and the Hulk. Most of those heroes led at least one solo movie in the franchise.Only half of the original Avengers team remains active in the MCU. AfterThe Avengerswas released in 2012,every new MCU moviethat focused on the team added new characters to its roster.
By the time the franchise got toAvengers: Endgame, the biggest MCU movie to date, the Avengers' roster was massive. It should continue to increase with the team’s next two entries, asAvengers: Doomsday’s announced castfeatures heroes from all over the MCU and even some Fox X-Men characters.With Kevin Feige saying more is to come, the Avengers will grow.
As it stands, there are eight characters in the MCU who have been part of the Avengers but never led a solo movie. Withtwo Avengers films coming upand quite a few big MCU entries in development, I believe that a lot of them have great chances of returning. Here they are, ranked from least to most likely to return:
8Quicksilver
First Avengers Movie Appearance In Avengers: Age Of Ultron (2015)
Quicksilver is the only character on the list I have given up in terms of expecting a return. Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s last MCU appearance was in his Avengers debut, 2015’sAvengers: Age of Ultron. Since then, the franchise has only really used Quicksilver once, but it wasa fakeout, with Evan Peters' Ralph Bohner thought to be a multiverse version of Pietro.
I think Marvel has had quite a few opportunities to bring back Quicksilver. With time travel, he could have returned inAvengers: Endgame. Marvel could have also used him instead of Peters inWandaVision, but the studio opted for the X-Men franchise actor. As it stands,I doubt we will see Taylor-Johnson play Quicksilver again unless a Scarlet Witch movie happens.
7Nebula
First Avengers Movie Appearance In Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3was a touching finale for the original iteration of the team.The Guardians split at the end of the movie, with a few of them teased to continue in the MCU, while others could have very well walked out into the sunset. Nebula’s status in the franchise is mixed, allowing her to return or not.
While Karen Gillan has left her MCU future up in the air, Drax actor Dave Bautista has been outspoken about how he is done with Marvel.
Given howshe is in Knowhere with Drax to help rebuild itand care for the children they rescued, I think Nebula is unlikely to return. While Karen Gillan has left her MCU future up in the air, Drax actor Dave Bautista has been outspoken about how he is done with Marvel. As both characters are together, Nebula’s return looks doubtful.
6Scarlet Witch
I know Wanda Maximoff might be lower on the list than some might expect. Let me preface this one by saying that I’m certain the Scarlet Witch will return to the MCU. There have been many teases that she will come back, withAgatha All Alongputting both of her sons back in the MCU and featuring multiple Wanda nods.
However, the reason Wanda ranks so low on the list is thatthe Scarlet Witch is dead in the MCU. Every other character above her on the list is alive and can be tied to future Marvel movies or TV shows. That said, withIronheartdebuting Mephisto, it seems like the Scarlet Witch’s return could happen soon, with chances increasing.
5War Machine
It is clear that Marvel Studios plans to keep using Don Cheadle’s War Machine. The character was at one point set to lead his own MCU series,Armor Wars. The project then morphed into a movie before being stuck in development hell. WhileArmor Warsmight never happen, it would make more sense for War Machine to return than not.
Secret Invasionended with the reveal that Rhodey had been replaced by a Skrullafter hisCaptain America: Civil Waraccident. As such, the real War Machine missed many years in the MCU. There is a lot of potential to be explored in how Rhodey deals with that. Seeing Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom could be part of that.
4Hawkeye
First Avengers Movie Appearance In The Avengers (2012)
Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye is the only member of the original MCU Avengers on the list. While Disney+‘sHawkeyeseries set up his replacement in the form of Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop, there is still plenty of room for both characters to co-exist in the franchise.Clint Barton could continue with the Avengers while Kate joins Ms. Marvel’s Young Avengers team.
2012
2015
2018
2019
2026
Avengers: Secret Wars
2027
We know thatMarvel Studios wants to makeHawkeyeseason 2, as Renner passed on it due to the studio wanting to pay him half of his season 1 salary. The actor also said that he would love to be back, and I feel it could happen if Marvel increases the offer. As such, Hawkeye’s return is a work in progress.
3Rocket Raccoon
Rocket Raccoon does not have a set project for his MCU return. However, the character’s path forward in the MCU was revealed at the end ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. While most of the cosmic team left, Rocket stayed on,becoming Star-Lord’s successor as the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy, assembling a new team with Groot.
Rocket’s return could happen in a few years throughGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 4, though Marvel has yet to announce that the cosmic franchise will continue now that director James Gunn has left to spearhead DC Studios. If that does not happen,Rocket’s new team could show up in the upcoming Avengers moviesand future cosmic projects in the MCU.
2Okoye
Like War Machine, Okoye is another hero on the list whose solo project was scrapped by Marvel. Whilethe planned Okoye series is no longer happening, Marvel Studios’ Head of Streaming, Television, and Animation, Brad Winderbaum, revealed thatfans will be seeing more of Okoye in the MCU. He did not confirm where that would happen, but one project makes sense.
Brad Winderbaum:I love Okoye, I think fans of Okoye are gonna be excited to see her come back, but I don’t think it’s gonna be in a television show. I can’t say where and when, but I think there’s a lot to look forward to.
Black Panther 3is in development at Marvel Studios, which was first revealed by Denzel Washington, who joins the franchise. Given how Danai Gurira’s Okoye is one of the main characters in the Black Panther movies, I believe she will be back in Wakanda for the trilogy’s finale. Okoye could also appear in the upcoming Avengers movies on Sam Wilson’s team.
1Vision
Finally, Vision is the only member of the Avengers with no solo movieconfirmed to be coming back to the MCU. Paul Bettany will star in 2026’s Vision series, which will be aWandaVisionspinoff. The show explores what happens to White Vision as he recovers his memories and has to wrestle with his complicated past and new condition.
James Spader’s reported return as Ultronmakes the series one of Marvel’s most intriguing projects in years. Vision could even be the project that finally brings back Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch after her death. With Billy Maximoff now in the MCU and his brother, Tommy, finding a new body, the Vision series could mark a family reunion for theAvengersmember.
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.
