The Marvel Cinematic Universe was once known for expertly balancing a massive ensemble cast with multiple diverging storylines. As the franchise has continued to grow, however, the MCU has struggled to keep up with its unprecedented cast of characters. While some, like Sam Wilson’s Captain America and Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, have stood out as major characters throughout the Multiverse Saga, others have unfortunately fallen by the wayside.
One of the most frustrating recurring problems in the Multiverse Saga is Marvel’s tendency to introduce major new characters, only for them never to appear again. Phases 4 and 5 made a show of expanding the MCU’s cast with important heroes from the comics, but couldn’t find ways to include them in future projects. As the Multiverse Saga nears its end, these characters completely disappeared from the MCU immediately after their introduction.
Eros Was Rumored to Have a Multi-Film Story Planned
Harry Styles as Eros_Starfox in Marvel’s EternalsImage via Marvel Studios
In 2021, Eternals confirmed months of rumors speculating that Marvel had cast Harry Styles as Eros, the brother of Thanos. Styles made his MCU debut as the powerful superhero in Eternals’ post-credits scene alongside Patton Oswalt’s Pip the Troll, promising to join the Eternals on their next adventure. Eros, also known as Starfox, is a very prominent character in Marvel Comics and could have been in the MCU as well if he had ever returned after this scene.
Upon his introduction, it was revealed that Harry Styles had signed a multi-picture deal with Marvel to appear in multiple projects throughout the Multiverse Saga. Unfortunately, Marvel dropped the ball on Eros completely. Not only has the character not appeared since his introduction, but Styles also hasn’t been confirmed to show up in any upcoming projects. Eros is a major character in Marvel Comics, but his MCU career has so far been relegated to a brief cameo in a single film.
Hercules Still Hasn’t Confronted Thor After Love and Thunder
Thor: Love and Thunder is despised by the Marvel fandom for many valid reasons, but perhaps the worst of all is its mishandling of Hercules. The Greek god is introduced in the film’s mid-credits scene, which reveals that Russell Crowe’s Zeus survived his encounter with Thor earlier in the film and is now plotting revenge. Brett Goldstein appears as Hercules in the very last moments of the scene, promising to avenge his father by killing the god of thunder.
Three years after Love and Thunder, there is still no word on where Hercules could appear next. The character may have been introduced as an antagonist, but he is a very important hero and member of the Avengers in the comics. With Chris Hemsworth expected to take his final bow as Thor in the coming years, time is running out to follow through on Hercules’s promise.
G’iah is One of the MCU’s Most Powerful Heroes
Secret Invasion introduced Emilia Clarke’s G’iah, a Skrull freedom fighter who initially sides with Gravik in his quest to conquer the Earth. By the end of the series, G’iah redeems herself and defeats Gravik, and becomes the Super-Skrull after inheriting the powers of multiple heroes. With the abilities of Captain Marvel, the Hulk, and more, G’iah’s debut makes her one of the MCU’s most powerful new heroes.
Marvel has made no attempts to integrate G’iah into its larger universe since her introduction. This may be due to Secret Invasion’s terrible reception, much of which was contingent upon the Super-Skrull storyline. Given just how overpowered she is (and the numerous plot holes surrounding her abilities themselves), it may be best if G’iah doesn’t ever return to the MCU.
Werewolf By Night Could Have Been the Beginning of an Epic Horror Saga
Werewolf by Night came at the perfect time for Marvel, lessening the punch of multiple disappointing projects in a row with a surprisingly intriguing horror story that introduces multiple compelling new characters. Among these are Gael Garcia Bernal’s Jack Russell/Werewolf by Night, Laura Donnelly’s Elsa Bloodstone, and the monstrous Man-Thing. Unfortunately, none of these characters has ever returned to the MCU since Werewolf by Night.
Despite its positive reviews and audience acclaim, Werewolf by Night had so much wasted potential to be a bigger piece in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The franchise seemingly has no interest in continuing the storylines introduced in the Special Presentation, nor returning to the characters it introduced. While there is always a chance for Jack Russell, Man-Thing, or Elsa Bloodstone to return in future horror-based projects, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.
The Eternals May Never Return to the MCU
The cast of the MCU’s EternalsWalt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Marvel Studios / Courtesy Everett Collection
The Eternals were meant to represent a new era of the MCU. Their self-titled film introduced ten superpowered beings sent by the Celestials to monitor Earth and protect humanity from the Deviants. By the end of Eternals, several of the key team members had died. However, the survivors all seemed to be set up for major roles in the next chapter of the MCU. Unfortunately, Sersi, Kingo, Thena, Makkari, Phastos, and Druig have yet to return to the franchise since their debut.
Eternals’ poor reviews and box office disappointment seem to have scared Marvel away from these characters indefinitely. The only cast member to ever return in a future project is Kumail Nanjiani, who voices Kingo in a Season 3 episode of What If…? With the Multiverse Saga about to end, there simply isn’t time for Marvel to return to the Eternals storyline, making it unlikely that audiences will ever see any of these characters again unless it is in a rebooted timeline somewhere down the road.
She-Hulk Disappeared After Her Disney+ Series Flopped
She-Hulk: Attorney at Law introduced Tatiana Maslany’s Jennifer Walters, who transforms into the savage She-Hulk after coming in contact with her cousin Bruce Banner’s blood. At the time of her debut, She-Hulk was expected to be a major player in upcoming MCU projects, perhaps as a leading member of the next iteration of the Avengers. However, the show’s dismal reception may have changed Marvel’s plans for the character moving forward.
Three years after her first appearance, She-Hulk is not confirmed to appear in any upcoming Marvel films. While some leaked concept art for Avengers: Doomsday seemingly featured her character, Maslany was not included in the film’s official casting announcement in March. Moreover, the actress has been openly critical of Disney in the time since starring in She-Hulk, which could suggest that she is no longer working with the company.
America Chavez is Strangely Absent From Avengers: Doomsday
Xochitl Gomez made her MCU debut in 2022’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, playing the reality-jumping teenager America Chavez. The character played a key role in the Doctor Strange sequel, which revealed that she has no variants in the multiverse but can jump between timelines using her superpowers. While America Chavez seemed like a character who would factor heavily into the Multiverse Saga, it is not yet clear if she will ever return at all.
Although most fans theorized that America Chavez’s powers would make her an important weapon for the Avengers to use against Doctor Doom, it now seems like the character won’t appear in Avengers: Doomsday. Certain cast members for the upcoming crossover film are being kept under wraps, but Chavez isn’t a well-known enough character for Marvel to keep secret. This could indicate that the MCU doesn’t intend to bring America Chavez back for the Multiverse Saga finale, though there remains a chance that she will join the Young Avengers sometime in the future.
Clea’s MCU Future is Still Undetermined
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness introduced a major new character in its mid-credits scene, with Charlize Theron making her MCU debut as the sorceress Clea. In the comics, Clea is an important part of Doctor Strange’s story, serving as both a rival and a lover at different times in their long and complicated history. She is also the niece of Dormammu, the ruler of the Dark Dimension, whom Strange defeated during his early career as the Sorcerer Supreme.
Clea’s dramatic introduction came along with the revelation that Doctor Strange had inadvertently created an incursion during his multiversal adventures. She and Strange departed on a journey to fix his mess, but haven’t been seen since. While there remains a strong chance that Clea will return in an upcoming Avengers movie or Doctor Strange 3, Marvel has not given a single update about her character’s status after Multiverse of Madness.
Black Knight May Never Claim His Legacy
Kit Harington stars as Dane Whitman in Eternals. Although Dane serves as Sersi’s love interest in the 2021 film, a post-credits scene hints at a larger future for the character moving forward. After Sersi is abducted by the Celestials, Dane claims his family’s enchanted sword to become the Black Knight. The scene cuts away just before he can do so, however, when Blade interrupts.
Harington has spoken openly about his desire to return to Marvel after Eternals, but doesn’t seem optimistic about his chances. Some rumors claim that Black Knight would have been part of the Blade reboot, but the film’s many script changes since may mean that he will no longer be a part of the upcoming project. Fans won’t learn more about Black Knight’s future until Blade comes out (if it ever comes out), and even then, they may be disappointed by his absence.
Moon Knight Disappeared After a Solid Debut
Moon Knight (Oscar Isaac) in the MCUImage via Marvel Studios
Of all the characters introduced and forgotten in the Multiverse Saga, Moon Knight is the most disappointing. The Fist of Vengeance makes a solid debut in his self-titled Disney+ series, with Oscar Isaac winning over fans for his multi-layered performance as Marc Spector and his alternate personalities. The series ends with a promise of more Moon Knight adventures ahead, and Marvel executives were originally quite optimistic about the character’s future moving forward.
Since his introduction in 2022, Moon Knight’s MCU future has grown clouded. There has been no word of a second season, nor any future appearances in other projects. Oscar Isaac claims not to be involved in the upcoming Avengers movies and even openly stated his disinterest in working with Disney for the time being. If Moon Knight ever returns, it doesn’t seem likely that it will be the same version seen in the Disney+ series. Fans’ best hope is for Marvel to reintroduce the character in a rebooted timeline, which is far from an ideal option.