21 Non-MCU Marvel Characters Who Could Return In The Multiverse Saga
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Since the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home last year, Marvel fans have been clamoring to see how the multiverse will affect the MCU, speculating over which non-Marvel favorite from yesteryear may be the next to make an appearance in the franchise.
20th Century Fox
With the recent announcement that Hugh Jackman will be reprising the role of Wolverine one final time in Deadpool 3, which was previously thought to have been improbable at best, it’s truly anyone's guess at this point who else may grace the MCU with their familiar presence. With this on the mind, I've put together a list of the top non-MCU Marvel characters we would love to appear in the Multiverse Saga in some way, shape, or form.
1.Wesley Snipes as Blade
Combining the disappointment of the lackluster Blade: Trinity and Wesley Snipes's previous income tax fraud convictions, it has always felt like unfinished business when it came to Snipes's portrayal of Blade. For the most part, Marvel fans enjoy the actor's performances in at least the first two Blade films, and respect the property for helping to build the foundation for the modern-day superhero film. With a return to the character welcome among Blade fans, the idea of the old Blade and Mahershala Ali's new Blade fighting side by side is exciting even to think about, and makes even more sense considering the rumored problems with the upcoming film's lackluster scripted action sequences. Even if Snipes doesn't appear in the new Blade movie whatsoever, I'm sure I'm not the only one holding out hope that Snipes's daywalker graces our screens again at some point in the near future (although if its just another What We Do in the Shadows cameo, I guess that's acceptable as well).
2.Dane DeHaan as the Green Goblin
Perhaps the biggest exclusion from the Amazing Spider-Man universe to not appear in No Way Home, the lack of Harry Osborn in the MCU thus far leaves a lot of possibility for Dane DeHaan to manifest the role in some way, shape, or form. Granted, even Tom Holland's standing as Spider-Man in the MCU is unclear at the moment, but with only a handful of characters from the existing cinematic Spider-verse that could make an impact by traveling throughout the Multiverse, seeing Dane DeHaan get a proper payoff to his promised arc in the MCU (or even the Sony-connected MCU-adjacent universe) would be satisfying for Spidey die-hards.
3.Ben Affleck as Daredevil
With the recent reintroduction of Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock/Daredevil in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans are excited to find out where Daredevil's story will take him next, especially considering his storyline in She-Hulk was so starkly different from his take on the Netflix series. While it might be incredibly unlikely he would return to the role, especially given his upcoming appearances as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Aquaman 2 and The Flash, there would be something cathartic about an older, empathetic Matt Murdock from Ben Affleck's big-screen take on the character advising or even teaming up with the MCU version.
4.Ioan Gruffudd as Mr. Fantastic
With the news that John Kransinski's take on Mr. Fantastic in Multiverse of Madness was a one-off appearance, fans have been waiting with bated breath to find out who will be filling the role on a permanent basis. Yet with the possibility of more one-off appearances throughout the multiverse in the immediate future, it would be rather…fantastic…to see Ioan Gruffud as an elder statesman version of the character in another universe who may be willing to help the heroes of the MCU in some way, shape, or form; given the character's previously portrayed sensibilities, maybe an interaction with Ant-Man or Loki could make for a surprisingly fun time.
5.Halle Berry as Storm
Prior to Iron Man launching the MCU in 2008, few on-screen superheroes became as instantly iconic as Halle Berry as Storm in the X-Men films. While she's had a few times to shine throughout the franchise, including a "homecoming" moment in Days of Future Past, and Alexandra Shipp has done a wonderful job as the character in the latter, less celebrated prequels, it would great to see Berry don the mantle of Storm one final time to give her iteration of the character a badass send-off, especially if it happens alongside her original X-Men co-star, Hugh Jackman.
6.Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead
Perhaps the one character most likely to appear in the MCU given the priority of Deadpool 3 and fan admiration for the character, it would feel strange to see a Deadpool movie without his reluctant, rebellious ward playing a part. In fact, out of all the existing non-MCU mutants, the one I'd say would most make sense jumping between universes might be Negasonic Teenage Warhead, as the character's disposition would fit perfectly alongside the wave of younger new heroes debuting recently under the Marvel umbrella.
7.Nicolas Cage as Ghost Rider
Although Ghost Rider technically exists in the MCU in the canonically complicated Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (as portrayed by Gabriel Luna), there must be at least some temptation to bring in Nicolas Cage, who has recently returned to studio filmmaking with The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent, to reprise the role of Johnny Blaze, even if just to pass the mantle to the next Ghost Rider. With the opportunity to find a tone that works for the character on the big screen, it would be especially cool to see Luna's Robbie Reyes riding alongside Cage's Blaze, given how passionate Cage is for Marvel's resident hellraiser.
8.Liev Schreiber as Sabretooth
Another performer and character that made the best of a complicated on-screen situation, Schreiber reprising the role of Sabretooth in some capacity might finally give him the chance to shine in a theatrical vehicle worthy of his talents in the MCU. Furthermore, it would be genuinely fun to see Reynolds and Jackman share the screen with Schreiber in their respective Marvel roles one more time, not a far cry from their X-Men Origins: Wolverine days.
9.Michael B. Jordan as the Human Torch
One of the few things that really worked about Josh Trank's Fantastic Four reboot several years back was the addition of Michael B. Jordan as the charismatic Johnny Storm, as he stood out as a literal shining light among an otherwise lifeless and unremarkable super-team. Though Jordan would later leave his own mark on the MCU as Killmonger in Black Panther and Wakanda Forever, it would still be cool to see this iteration of the character again in the MCU, especially if we're getting more than one version of Mr. Fantastic in the franchise.
10.Stephen Merchant as Caliban
Though its highly unlikely we'll see the Logan version of Wolverine in Deadpool 3, at least not in any substantial capacity, that's not to say we won't see any version of his gifted and ill-faring compatriot, Caliban. I'd say the smart money is on Caliban appearing in a small role in Deadpool 3, given the temptation to put the stellar comedic abilities of both Ryan Reynolds and Stephen Merchant together, but only time will tell how much of Deadpool 3 plays as an episode of "Wolverine, This Is Your Life!"
11.Nicholas Hoult as Beast
Though the Kelsey Grammer version of Beast received a bit of closure in the end of Days of Future Past, the same can't necessarily be said about Nicholas Hoult's portrayal of the character. While I'm unsure if the actor is necessarily praying to put on the prosthetic makeup and bodysuit to bring Beast back to life again, this intellectual savage is one many fans are hoping to see in the MCU sooner than later, and it would be an added benefit to see the immensely talented Hoult along for the ride.
12.Colin Farrell as Bullseye
In the pre-MCU days of superhero movies, few were having as good of a time chewing scenery than villain performers, and even fewer were doing so with as much gusto as Colin Farrell as Bullseye in Daredevil. Showcasing his inimitable charm and a shocking amount of sleaze, Farrell has since gone on to show his devotion to stranger villains as the Penguin in Matt Reeves's The Batman, but I know I'm not the only one who would welcome one last rodeo with Farrell's Bullseye, especially in the MCU.
13.Ian McKellen as Magneto
Ian McKellen has always impressed with bringing gravitas to the role of Magneto, grounding the past X-Men films in the process. But with his counterpart in Professor X appearing in the Multiverse of Madness, one can only assume there might be something in the works to give McKellen one more showcase for Magneto, especially in a universe where he could seriously do some damage on the likes of War Machine, Captain America, and Ant-Man in short order.
14.Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler
Though Alan Cumming has spoken about how he didn't enjoy the prosthetic makeup process as Nightcrawler in X2, that hasn't changed the universal longstanding praise for his portrayal of the character and fans clamoring for him to one day return. While it might be unlikely the actor would jump back into the role without good reason (and a huge payday), an appearance within the multiverse and the deep pockets of the House of Mouse might tempt Alan Cumming toward one more go as the teleporting mutant.
15.Doug Jones as Silver Surfer
Doug Jones was really given the short stick when it came to his role as the Silver Surfer, having his voice dubbed over by Laurence Fishburne and his physical performance confined to a lackluster, franchise-ending sequel. Assuming that the Silver Surfer, who was rumored to be one of Feige's most coveted characters for a time, figures into the Multiverse Saga somehow, one could hope Jones would get the opportunity to return and explore the character to his full potential.
16.James Marsden as Cyclops
While the role was never as flashy as Wolverine, Storm, and Professor X, Marvel fans have really rallied behind Marsden's Scott Summers over the years, especially since the character met an abrupt and anticlimactic end in The Last Stand. With Marsden's responsibilities in Westworld finally coming to an end, one would assume there's a better chance than ever for him to kick some butt in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
17.Rila Fukushima as Yukio
One of the most undervalued characters in the pre-MCU X-Men universe, Yukio carried a swagger, attitude, and propensity for action that should have cemented her as a recurring presence the X-Men films. Alas, with The Wolverine as her sole on-screen appearance, there was plenty left on the table for this punk-rock badass prior to Disney’s purchase of 20th Century Fox, and with Wolverine entering the MCU in the very near future, there’s still hope that Yukio might come along for the ride, especially in a decidedly R-rated fashion in Deadpool 3.
18.Dolph Lundgren as the Punisher
Sure, if we're talking about Multiverse Saga possibilities, the more popular choices for a Punisher appearance might be Jon Bernthal, Thomas Jane, or even Ray Stevenson, despite the latter having appeared in the first three Thor films. But if Marvel wanted to throw a true curveball, an old, tough-as-a-two-dollar-steak Frank Castle played by Dolph Lundgren, who recently showed he can still deliver dramatically in Creed II, would make for a fun and unexpected turn for Marvel's ultraviolent vigilante.
19.Taylor Kitsch as Gambit
While Fox's X-Men series dissolved before Channing Tatum could embody Gambit 2.0, Taylor Kitsch did more than just a serviceable job as the Cajun character in a film that ultimately failed Gambit by shoehorning him into a story where he wasn't needed. That said, Kitsch has certainly evolved as an actor in the years since, and while time hasn't been necessarily kind to X-Men Origins: Wolverine, giving Kitsch a second shot to kick butt as the card-throwing, staff-wielding mutant within the MCU would be a noble and inspired move by Marvel Studios.
20.Maisie Williams as Wolfsbane
For a while, The New Mutants were set to kick-off the next chapter of Fox's X-Men franchise, ushering the narrative away from the First Class gang to explore strange new corners of the universe. But the film died on the vine, languishing on the shelf while scheduled reshoots delayed the release until Disney bought 20th Century Fox and dumped the existing cut to theaters in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sadly, this meant a number of interesting (and spookier) heroes were left by the wayside, though it would certainly be interesting to see Maisie Williams's emotionally vulnerable and savagely powerful Wolfsbane get a chance to roam free alongside Werewolf by Night in the near future.
21.Eric Bana as the Hulk
I don't believe it's much of a stretch to say many Marvel fans wonder about the Hulk's crossover potential in the MCU, whether it's seeing the big green guy toss around Wolverine in a dream fight or go one-on-one with the Thing in the Fantastic Four. But another potential crossover is the opportunity for the Hulk to fight his alternative selves, whether it be the Edward Norton Hulk showing face, as unlikely as it may be, or even possibly bringing in Eric Bana to bring his tortured hero back to the big screen to duke it out with Mark Ruffalo's Hulk. Admit it: If one Hulk smashes, that's great, but two Hulks smashing? That's what the fans really wanna see in Marvel's Multiverse Saga.
Who would you love to see appear in the Multiverse Saga? Let me know in the comments section below!
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