The Marvel Cinematic Universe boasts a plethora of compelling superheroes. It's only natural that some of these heroes' stories unfold in the periphery so each film can focus on a few characters at a time. Because of this, there are several heroes who haven't gotten a proper chance to shine. They have remained supporting characters throughout the Marvel film(s) they appear in.
Although the MCU might continue relegating these characters to the background for the foreseeable future, there is still hope that they will eventually get the captivating backstories and screen time they deserve. Plenty of Marvel characters haven't yet reached their full potential.
10 America Chavez Is A Very Complex Character
America Chavez's backstory wasn't fully fleshed out in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but this was only to retain the film's cohesive plot. America quickly grew on audiences and left MCU fans wondering about how she got her ability to travel through time and space.
Since much of the Doctor Strange sequel was devoted to the titular hero keeping America out of the Scarlet Witch's clutches, fans know very little about America. While she only took control of her powers toward the end of the film, the superhero has plenty of potential going forward.
9 Alexei Shostakov Wasn't Given Ample Time To Shine
Many fans fell in love with Black Widow for its refreshing focus on familial relationships and Florence Pugh's charming portrayal of Yelena Belova. Because of the film's central focus on the sisterly bond between Natasha and Yelena, their adoptive father Alexei Shostakov (also known as the Red Guardian) remains in the background for much of Black Widow.
Although it's clear that Alexei is a kindhearted man who cares deeply for his two daughters, Marvel fans wished more screen time was dedicated to Alexei as the Red Guardian. Black Widow only showcased the tip of the iceberg as far as his powers are concerned, and it would be exciting if his abilities were explored.
8 Fans Are Dying To See Monica Rambeau Master Her Newfound Powers
Audiences were introduced to Monica Rambeau in Captain Marvel as the daughter of Maria Rambeau, Carol Danvers' best friend. Although Monica didn't contribute much to the film's overall plot, viewers were ecstatic to see her on their screens again in Disney+'s WandaVision.
This appearance was unexpected, which made Monica's character growth and the development of her superhuman abilities even more riveting. Even though Monica played a critical role in ending the Westview hex, very little screen time was devoted to her grappling with her newfound powers, which left fans hoping to see more of her in future MCU installments.
7 Makkari's Potential Was Squandered In Eternals
As Eternals introduced 10 new superheroes to the MCU, some heroes had to be pushed to the wayside to ensure the film had a clear narrative. Eternals was mostly successful at doing this and gave many of these superheroes ample time to shine, but some Eternals were only present during action sequences.
Because of this, these characters weren't as well-rounded as other Eternals. Makkari is a perfect example of this. While it's clear that she is very empathetic and the heart of the Eternals team, much of her character is based around her potential romance with Druig. There is plenty of Makkari left to be explored.
6 Viewers Can't Wait To See Korg Return In Future MCU Installments
Thor: Love and Thunder does an impeccable job of showcasing how emotions like grief and heartbreak can impact the God of Thunder and even introduced one of the most impactful villains the MCU has seen in a long time. However, fans were left wanting more from characters like Korg.
Although Korg also appeared in Thor: Ragnarok and played a crucial role in Thor and Bruce Banner's escape from Sakaar, he had limited screen time so audiences could get properly acquainted with Valkyrie. Thankfully, fans will learn more about the lovable rock creature as a Disney+ series focused on Korg is currently in development.
5 The Grandmaster Is Too Compelling To Only Appear In One Marvel Film
One character who stole the show as soon as he was introduced was the Grandmaster from Thor: Ragnarok. The Grandmaster is compelling, has undeniable charisma, and possesses affable mannerisms. These traits are not typically attributed to villainous characters.
The Grandmaster was portrayed by the talented Jeff Goldblum and his inherent eccentricity and collection of memorable quotes made him an instant fan favorite. Although he has plenty of potential, his return to the MCU is highly unlikely since his planned return in Thor: Love and Thunder was cut.
4 Fans Hope To See Shuri In A Different Light In Wakanda Forever
Black Panther broke ground as the first blockbuster to feature a predominately Black cast. It tackled global issues like the long history of oppression and marginalization of Black communities. Although Black Panther boasts several fully-realized characters like T'Challa and Killmonger, many viewers wanted much more from Shuri.
Black Panther makes Shuri's quick wit and skill as a tech-savvy inventor abundantly clear, but fans hoped to see her interact with more heroes and use her technological prowess to their advantage. Viewers are sure to see a different side of Shuri in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever following her brother's death.
3 Eddie Brock And Venom Have A Lot Of Potential
The Venom films aren't technically considered an MCU property, but the anti-hero's appearance in one of the post-credits scenes of Spider-Man: No Way Home significantly blurs this notion. While it is unclear whether Venom and Spider-Man will be incorporated into the same universe going forward, it would be great for Eddie Brock's character development as Venom's human host.
Eddie was transported back to his home universe in a Spider-Man: No Way Home post-credits scene. Venom has so much potential as a brutal villain and the antithesis of Spider-Man. Viewers remain hopeful that the MCU extends its deal with Sony so they can use Venom and Eddie in future MCU installments.
2 Viewers Continue To Anticipate Nebula's Role In Future Marvel Films
While Nebula was introduced as a villainous character in Guardians of the Galaxy, she redeemed herself during the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame and has proved her worth as an honorary Avenger. Even though the most compelling aspects of Nebula's character arc occurred shortly before her sister's death, she eventually came around and became part of the Guardians of the Galaxy team.
Fans quickly fell in love with Nebula's refreshingly deadpan sense of humor. Many viewers hope to see Nebula unleash her quick wit on other superheroes. So far, she has mainly interacted with the Guardians of the Galaxy.
1 Bucky Barnes Has The Potential To Be A Key Hero In Upcoming MCU Projects
Bucky Barnes has appeared in seven Marvel films, but he was either one of the villains or a supporting character in these films. This means that little screen time has been devoted to exploring who Bucky is as a person or as a superhero.
Although the Disney+ miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier heavily features Bucky, much of his character continued to be centered around his stoic nature and unlikely friendship with Sam Wilson. Since Bucky is one of the few remaining Marvel heroes from the franchise's early days, fans hope that his character will keep developing in future MCU installments.