TheMarvel Cinematic Universehas been going strong for over a decade. In that time, they’ve introduced hundreds of characters with comic book origins. These characters fall anywhere on the spectrum betweenMarvelroyalty and supporting cast, from S.H.I.E.L.D. founder Nick Fury to Peter Parker classmate Betty Brant.
However, it’s difficult to keep in touch with every single main and supporting character that the MCU introduces. Furthermore, some characters with long story arcs in the comics are simply relegated to single movie appearances. These ten characters, despite their importance, will most likely be left in Marvel films of the past.
10Betty Ross
Lord of the Ringsstar Liv Tyler portrayed Bruce Banner’s love interest in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk. Notably, this film kick-started a shared universe withIron Man, which released the same year. However,Edward Norton’s Bruce Banner would be recastin later movies, with Mark Ruffalo bearing the torch.
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Given that Betty Ross has yet to show up in the MCU since she shared the screen with Norton, it’s unlikely that Marvel will try to re-introduce her alongside Ruffalo. While her character’s presence would be welcomed by many comic fans, Banner seems to have moved on. It’s possible that Liv Tyler has moved on as well.
9Rhomann Dey
James Gunn’sGuardians of the Galaxywas a bold move for Marvel, giving a mainstream platform to a little-known team from the comics. In addition, Gunn introduced many other obscure comic characters in the 2014 film. This includes Nova Corps officer Rhomann Dey, memorably played by John C. Reilly.
Despite his prominence in the first film, Rhomann was absent from the 2017 sequel,Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. While his fate is unclear, it was confirmed at the start ofAvengers: Infinity Warthat the Nova Corps was destroyed in Thanos’s hunt for the Power Stone. Hopefully Rhomann made it out alive, but this seems unlikely.
8The Collector
Benicio Del Toro made his MCU debut during a mid-credits scene inThor: The Dark World, before appearing again inGuardians of the Galaxy. He’s notable for having the widest collection of interstellar objects in the known Marvel universe. At one point, he was in possession of the Reality Stone before it was again stolen by Thanos.
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Given his lack of appearance inInfinity Waronce Thanos’s illusion disappeared, it’s safe to say The Collector is either dead, or on the run. It’s unknown if he will ever re-appear in the MCU, although the character did make a prominent appearance in the animated Disney+ seriesWhat If…?For now, his whereabouts are really nowhere.
7The Red Skull
Hugo Weaving debuted this iconic Marvel villain inCaptain America: The First Avenger, where he sparred with Chris Evans' Steve Rogers.He finally re-appeared years later inInfinity WarandEndgame, as the guardian of the Soul Stone sought by Thanos. This time, he was portrayed byThe Walking Deadstar Ross Marquand.
Though it’s technically true that the Red Skull is still on Vormir, it seems unlikely that the Marvel Cinematic Universe will ever return there. However, he could always make a cameo inWhat If…?series. Unfortunately, this would probably mean an alternate universe version of a beloved Marvel character would have to be sacrificed.
6Yondu
Yondu Udonta was a former Ravager, exiled for kidnapping children at the behest of Ego, a Celestial. However, Yondu kept and raised Peter Quill,a boy from Earth he trained to become a Ravager one day. Despite Yondu’s flaws and violent tendencies, he reveals himself to be a pretty great surrogate father for Quill.
However, tragedy struck Yondu at the end ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Yondu sacrificed himself to save Peter Quill from Ego, earning the respect of the Guardians, as well as his former Ravagers. While the character reappeared inWhat If…?, it’s safe to say that the emotion of Yondu’s sacrifice will be honored in the live-action films.
5Michelle “MJ” Jones
Peter Parker has a tragic relationship with many of his love interests, and Zendaya’s MJ is no exception. Despite their love for each other, Peter must take responsibility for his multiverse-splitting actions in 2021’sSpider-Man: No Way Home. That’s why he urges Doctor Strange to cast a spell making everyone, including MJ, forget he exists.
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Though Peter initially plans to remind MJ of who he is, he’s struck by seeing how happy she is working at her coffee shop. Peter seems content with keeping MJ safe and away from Spider-Man, so he opts to not tell her who he is. This is a rare happy ending for Peter’s love interest, who will likely remain out of trouble from now on.
4Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross
This government official is one of the few characters who has made recurring appearances since 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk. Most notably, Thunderbolt is responsible for the Sokovia Accords, which sparked the conflict ofCaptain America: Civil War. It would have been nice to see Thunderbolt continue to hunt masked vigilantes.
Sadly, William Hurt recently passed away, so unless he has filmed appearances in Marvel projects currently in development, the character will probably be retired. It also means that the comic book storyline in which Ross becomes the Red Hulk is also unlikely to occur in the MCU. However, fans can see his final appearance in 2021’sBlack Widow.
3Pepper Potts
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts is an OG of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, debuting in 2008’sIron Manas Tony Stark’s love interest. However, since 2017, Paltrow has announced that she plans to focus on her lifestyle company Goop rather than acting. Despite this, she made appearances in the last twoAvengersmovies.
Pepper Potts is alive and well in the MCU, as CEO of Stark Industries and mother to Tony’s daughter, Morgan. She even got to fight in her own Iron Man armor during the climactic battle inAvengers: Endgame. WhilePaltrow’s reappearance may not be off the table, it’s likely that the character will remain in the background for the time being.
2Tony Stark
Of course, there’s no mentioning Pepper Potts without Tony Stark, the powder keg of the MCU himself. The character was given a send-off to end all send-offs inAvengers: Endgame, honoring his importance to the franchise. Given Phase 4’s dealing with multiversal threats, an alternate universe Tony Stark could always return to the films.
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However, Robert Downey Jr. seems keen onEndgamebeing his last Marvel film. The actor hasn’t even reprised the role of Tony in theWhat If…?animated series, meaningEndgametruly was the end for the character. Unless Marvel decides to recast the character in the multiverse, Tony Stark will continue to finally rest.
1Natasha Romanoff
The death of Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff came as a shock to audiences watchingAvengers: Endgamefor the first time. Sacrificing herself for the Soul Stone, the character was able to secure the survival of half the universe. It’s a fitting end for Natasha’s arc, even though it came sooner than fans were ready for.
However, Johansson got a more proper goodbye with 2021’sBlack Widow. The film, taking place after the events ofCaptain America: Civil War, explores Natasha’s family,introducing her sister Yelena as her MCU replacement. While Natasha will be missed by diehard fans, Yelena is a good fit to carry on Johansson’s femme fatale legacy.
