The Marvel Cinematic Universe is promising to expand even more as upcoming projects dig deeper into Marvel Comics lore. As seen WandaVision and Loki, and previewed Spider-Man: No Way Home, the multiverse is becoming more tangled, bringing about new characters and new narratives. Additionally, franchises from previous phases will continue to develop in long-awaited sequels.
To no surprise, rumors have pillaged the internet, and eager fans are quick to plunge their theories into new MCU projects. There are still fresh faces to meet that have already been confirmed and even more character appearances that audiences can't wait to see. Here's a list of the most anticipated upcoming MCU appearances.
Black Knight
Dane Whitman, otherwise known as the Black Knight, first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1967 through The Avengers #47. Throughout the canon of the comics, he inherits the Castle Garrett, which causes his immigration to England from the United States. There, he crosses paths with Sir Percy of Scandia, and from him, is bestowed the Ebony Blade. His newfound journey asks Whitman to join forces with Sorcerer Supreme Doctor Stephen Strange to take on Tiboro. Whitman is the third character in Marvel lore to claim the Black Knight title as his own. During his time as an Avenger, he faces off with another MCU newcomer - Kang the Conquerer.
Kit Harington is the first to bring the Black Knight to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and his plotline latches directly to the comic book romance with Sersi through Eternals. Harington, best known for his role of Jon Snow from Game of Thrones, presents himself simply as Whitman until the film's first mid-credit scene. Here, there is the reveal of Whitman's fated identity of becoming the Black Knight. He is drawn to the Ebony Blade, which is seen for a brief moment, and seemingly calls out to him. It has not been confirmed as to when Harington will return, but it is ensured that he will. Hopefully, his will return will show him mounted aback his horse Aragorn.
Blade
The return of Blade the Vampire Hunter will bring about the second on-screen interpretation of Eric Brooks. Indeed, the trilogy previously led by Wesley Snipes was one of the first-ever Marvel movies. The original trilogy was overwhelmed with complications both on-screen and on the film set. Brooks was birthed into vampire hunting after his mother contracted vampirism moments before he was born. Because of the dramatic transformation, Brooks was granted supernatural abilities that provided immunity to vampire bites and longevity. His vampire hunting was encouraged out of the desire to seek vengeance on the thing that bit his mother: Deacon Frost. Much like his alias implies, Blade is armed with a variety of blades and daggers.
Similar to claiming responsibility for founding the grounds of the Black Knight's introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a voiceover-cameo from Mahershala Ali confirms the actor's portrayal of the Vampire Hunter. Prior to his voice featurette, it was announced that Ali would reintroduce Blade into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Blade will be directed by Bassam Tariq and filming will begin in 2022. There are, of course, still opportunities for Ali to tease Blade in other upcoming projects before helming a project of his own (much like how Brie Larson' Captain Marvel appeared in Avengers: Infinity War's post-credits scene prior to Captain Marvel).
Moon Knight
Son of a Nazi-prosecuted Rabbi, Jewish-American Chicago native Marc Spector catches the interest of the Ancient Egyptian Moon God Khonshu. Though Khonshu cannot depart from the Othervoid, a realm that exists outside of typical time and space makes the decision to use Spector as his earthly vessel. The character first debuted in the Marvel Comics issue of Werewolf by Night #32 in 1975, where he was assigned to the role of mercenary to capture the titular character. It was from there that Spector was given a solo story in 1976 over two issues of Marvel Spotlight. As of the 1980s, Spector was established as a recurring character through Marvel Comics as a mercenary.
As seen in the Moon Knight trailer, the MCU seems to be tapping into the complexity of Spector's mental health. Over the comic run, Spector is asked to cope with his disassociative identity disorder while exploring his altered identities. It has been reported that the cinematic interpretation will shift its angle more towards conversations about mental health. Aside from the trailer, the MCU has naturally kept details about Moon Knight to a minimum.
America Chavez
Raised by her mother in the Utopian Parallel, America Chavez contributes more to the theories of the multiverse as she introduces the concept of the Demiurge to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. From the Demiurge, Chavez appears to have developed her powers after absorbing the magical presence of her surroundings. After her home of the Utopian, Parallel was demolished and her mother sacrificed herself, she fled, and while bouncing through multiple reality timelines, deemed herself to be a superhero. In later years, Chavez was recruited to assemble alongside the Young Avengers. Chavez, who identifies as lesbian, will be the first queer Latina character in the MCU.
The powerful teen has locked down an official Marvel Cinematic Universe point of debut, and it has been confirmed that Xochitl Gomez is to appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Details remain scarce as to how fully involved Chavez's character will be in the Doctor Strange sequel, but with Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Kate Bishop's (Hailee Steinfeld) introductions in Black Widow and Hawkeye respectively, fans are excited about the prospect of a Young Avengers project.
She-Hulk
Created by Stan Lee and John Buscema in 1980, Jennifer "She-Hulk" Walters is a lawyer who was granted Hulk-like powers through a blood transfusion from her cousin, Bruce "The Hulk" Banner. The striking difference is not her physical transformation, which is tamer than unbridled rage, but that Walters retains her personality after the milder transformations. She remains mostly in control of her emotional standpoint and her intelligence. Her anger, when it does happen to break through, contributes more strength to her Hulk form. The transition between Hulk and human later leaves Walters in her Hulk form permanently; to cope, Walters is known to address the audience through fourth-wall breaks.
Actress Tatiana Masley has been cast as both She-Hulk and Walters and has confirmed that body capture technology will convert her into a CGI form of She-Hulk. It was announced that the She-Hulk series will be a comedy which sees Walters breaking the fourth wall.
Ironheart
Introduced in 2016, Riri "Ironheart" Willaims is a more recent addition to the continuum of Marvel Comics.. First designed by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deoado, Williams was then given a redesign by Eva Ewing and Kevin Libranda. Williams is another Chicago native who lives in the inner-city with her aunt and her mother. Her advanced intelligence grants her admission into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology on a scholarship. Through her studies, Williams creates a similar suit that resembles the Iron Man armor from stolen campus materials.
After her return to Chicago, Tony "Iron Man" Stark is eager to meet Williams after being made aware of her build. Once their acquaintance is made, Stark takes executive means in granting Williams the official title of a superheroine and endorses her decision to pursue the identity of Ironheart. Dominique Thorne has been cast as Williams and is set to appear in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The Black Panther sequel will work as a vehicle to introduce Williams into the universe prior to her Disney+ series. The first season of Ironheart is predicted to arrive in late 2022 or 2023.
Ms. Marvel
Kamala Khan first entered the world of Marvel Comics in 2013, and is a Muslim Pakistani-American hero. She is the first Muslim character that has headlined any publication throughout Marvel Comics' extensive vault of publications, though she is not the first Muslim character to be included in the comic book medium as a whole. Khan's design was inspired by Carol Danvers' "Captain Marvel" while honoring her religious and cultural backgrounds. Artist Jaime McKelvie noted that Khan's costume was influenced by the shalwar kameez, and understood that there was a way to present accurate representation outside of the inclusion of the hijab. Most teenage Pakistani-American girls do not opt to wear the hijab, and there were the means of reflecting reality through Khan's portrayal.
Khan develops the abilities of shapeshifting, elasticity, healing factors, and the power of size alteration. The upcoming Ms. Marvel series is set to release in mid-2022 and will consist of six inaugural episodes streamed through Disney+. The premise will follow Khan's formative years as a teenager as she struggles to fit in prior to gaining her powers. Just as was communicated in the comics, Khan will uphold her adoration for Captain Marvel. Marvel Studios newcomer Iman Vellani will break into the entertainment scene as Khan in a series of her own as well as the Captain Marvel sequel, The Marvels.
Adam Warlock
Developed by scientists on Earth who have deemed themselves as the "Enclaved," they created their idea of the perfect human: Him. The High Evolution then goes on to call this creation "Warlock," permitting him to adopt a sense of identity. It isn't until a group of teenagers crosses paths with Warlock that he goes on to assume the name of Adam Warlock. Warlock, through his interspace travels, uncovers the Universal Church of Truth following the leadership of Magus. Through the comics, he finds alliances with Gamora, Thanos, and Pip the Troll in order to defeat Magnus. Warlock remains to be the coveter of the Soul Gem, which possesses a consciousness of its own, and pangs of hunger for living energies.
Warlock has been teased to break into the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Thor: The Dark World and has been given more attention in an post-credits scene in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. He was officially announced to become a more involved character in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 after it was confirmed that Will Poulter was cast as Warlock.
Spider-Man Villains
Arguably the most anticipated appearances of any MCU project this year will be the return of characters from past Spider-man franchises in the upcoming Spider-Man: No Way Home. In fact, the Tom Holland-led sequel has already broken the internet when it comes to advance ticket sales. This is no surprise, considering the trailers for the film have already confirmed the return of Willem Dafeo's Green Goblin, Alfred Molina's Doc Ock, and Thomas Haden Church's Sandman from Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, as well as Jamie Foxx's Electro and Rhys Ifans' Lizard from The Amazing Spider-Man franchise.