Over the years, Marvel Comics has done incredible work to create a deeply memorable roster of both superheroes and villains. It’s been genuinely exciting to watch many of these beloved characters transition over to blockbuster feature films. Similarly, lower-tier heroes have been able to find newfound acclaim thanks to the success of their movies.

There are many popular Marvel characters fans are eager to see get their own films, but there are also some deep cuts who deserve their moment in the spotlight. The MCU movies and TV shows have already found success with some less popular characters, so there's hope that even some of the most obscure can find their way to the big or small screens.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on February 4, 2024: The Marvel Cinematic Universe only continues to grow, as more and more heroes join the franchise's expansive roster. No other superhero franchise has ever had the opportunity to introduce so many little-known characters to such a large audience. And there are plenty of relatively unknown characters from Marvel Comics who need to get their own films in the MCU.

30 Cypher Is A Linguist Mutant

Douglas Ramsey, aka Cypher, has one of the coolest and most useful mutant abilities ever. He can easily understand any language he encounters, both written and spoken. He achieves this through a semi-telepathic semi-clairvoyant omnilingualism.

Since Cypher doesn't have offensive powers — usually staying behind in battle — he's often the less beloved member of any team he joins. However, his abilities make him incredibly valuable in detective work. A mystery crypto-thriller a la The DaVinci Code would work perfectly for him.

29 Miracleman Is One Of Marvel's Most Powerful Characters

Miracleman, originally known as Marvelman, is one of those totemic characters who becomes a liability because they're just too powerful. Miracleman can basically do anything, and his diverse and powerful abilities practically put Captain Marvel to shame.

Miracleman faded into obscurity until the '80s when Alan Moore and Neil Gaiman revived the character in a big, subversive way. Miracleman is his own entity that exists outside of the standard Marvel 616 universe and so he'd be perfect for a standalone movie that kicks off a new phase or even stars in a unique Disney+ "Special Presentation."

28 Singularity Could Lead To The MCU's A-Force

During Secret Wars' A-Force, Nico Minoru stumbled upon a meteorite crater in Arcadia. Inside it, there was a girl made of space fabric: Singularity. She became central to the team and eventually sacrificed for them. After the event, Singularity made the jump to Earth-616 and reunited with Nico, Captain Marvel, and She-Hulk. However, she hasn't been in enough storylines compared with other cosmic entities.

Many fans believe Love, from Thor: Love and Thunder, is based on Singularity, but nothing has been confirmed. A film or TV series about Singularity would be the perfect way to introduce A-Force into the MCU continuity. Hopefully, she will debut in this universe during Avengers: Secret Wars.

27 Machine Man Is Marvel's Crossover With Stanley Kubrick

Machine Man, otherwise known as Aaron Stack, is a superhero of android origins who benefits from a particularly unusual backstory. Jack Kirby introduced Machine Man in Marvel's ten-issue adaptation of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Machine Man embodies the philosophical nature of Stanley Kubrick's film and Arthur C. Clarke's novel. This powerful machine reckons with what's left of his humanity and the bleak changes that he's witnessed throughout his existence. Machine Man could work with a new origin story, but in an age of legacy sequels and connected universes, it would be interesting if Marvel were to tie Machine Man together to a sci-fi movie.

26 Jack Of Hearts Can't Really Control His Powers

Jack of Hearts is a tragic, cautionary figure from Marvel Comics who would have been impossible to adapt during the MCU's initial phases. However, now feels like the perfect fit as the films transition more into multiversal adventures.

Born Jonathan Hart, he's the product of a prolific scientist and an alien, which leaves Jack of Hearts with debilitating powers that he lacks control over. Jack has been a member of the Avengers, which makes it even more likely that the MCU will decide to adapt his complex story.

25 Sleepwalker Has Frightening Sleep-Based Powers

Some of the most fascinating superheroes are the ones who struggle with an unconscious duality. Sleepwalker bears some similarities to the powerful Moon Knight, but he can reach even greater heights. Sleepwalker is the alter ego of Rick Sheridan, a meager college student who receives a superpowered somnambulist identity after he's experimented on by a villain.

Rick and Sleepwalker are oblivious of their other half, but whenever Rick goes to sleep, it's the Sleepwalker's time to shine in the ethereal Dreamworld. Sleepwalker is a product of the '90s and there are some fun, creative places this film could go, especially with the right visionary director in control of Dreamworld's look.

24 Balder Is Thor's Lesser-Known Brother

Balder Odinson is the brother of Thor and Loki, but Marvel tends to ignore him a bit more than his siblings. Also known as Balder the Brave, this Asgardian is the God of Light. This means he can create it from thin air, often in such force that he can create heat out of the light. Additionally, he's the most agile Asgardian.

Balder doesn't have as much lore as Thor and Loki, but he's just as powerful. His abilities can melt Frost Giants, so it would be amazing to see him go against these monsters. A Balder film would be a great way for the MCU to expand on Asgard without depending on Thor so much.

23 Mephisto Is Marvel's Ruler Of Hell

Mephisto is one of the more popular demonic entities to come out of Marvel Comics and he's someone who audiences are more than ready to follow after many believed that his mysterious workings were afoot in WandaVision. Now, more than ever, is the perfect time for a Mephisto solo project.

The MCU has introduced powerful magic users and Mephisto has more of a place to fit in rather than existing as an anomaly. A Mephisto vehicle could be a smart follow-up to Agatha: Coven of Chaos or a bridge into the next Doctor Strange movie.

22 Arkon The Magnificent Is A Relatable Antagonist

Arkon the Magnificent comes from Polemachus, a world that's known for its crushing warfare and a society that increasingly celebrates the strongest of champions. This tumultuous history contributes to Arkon's angry origins, which initially positions him as an Avengers antagonist, albeit one who's not wholly misguided on his journey.

Arkon's home planet had to deal with debilitating energy issues, which is what first inspired him to connect with the Avengers through the Scarlet Witch's incredible magic. Arkon later turns to the powerful warrior woman, Thundra, as both a partner and explorer of Marvel's Weirdworld, which could easily sustain a cinematic endeavor.

21 Danger Man Is Bizzare And Comedic

In Dan Slott and Juan Bobillo's She-Hulk, Jennifer Walters represents Daniel Jermain, a family man who fell into a vat of Roxxon Energy Corporation chemicals and gained superpowers. Contrary to most Marvel characters, Jermain rejected this new life, suing Roxxon for the damage done to his body and his family.

Danger Man — as he was known after the accident — is a Marvel C-Lister at best, but his story resonates for its realism. Instead of jumping right into the superhero path, Jermain struggled with these changes. A film centered on him would be either a very bizarre comedy or an enthralling legal drama. Either way, it would be a refreshing change from the superhero films fans already know.

20 Ka-Zar Is The Ruler Of The Savage Land

Kevin Plunder is the son of an English nobleman who became the first to discover the prehistoric world known as the Savage Land. Ka-Zar and this new haven hidden in the frozen Antarctic first appear in the pages of X-Men #10 (by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Chic Stone, and Sam Rosen).

Following the death of his parents, young Kevin is raised by an intelligent mutant sabertooth tiger named Zabu. Taking the name "Ka-Zar," Kevin grows up to work alongside the indigenous population of the Savage Land to help protect its natural resources from corporate interests. Ka-Zar's adventures could make for a great family film.

19 Jack Monroe Is Another Super-Soldier From Marvel Comics

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier helped introduce the concept of the military's secret super-soldiers, many of which are created only to be discarded. Isaiah Bradley is one of these unfortunate test subjects, but in the comics, there are many more tortured civilians who the government experiments on in the pursuit of super-soldiers.

Jack Monroe joins William Burnside/Captain America as the government's new Bucky following the recreation of a super-soldier serum that gives them enhanced abilities at the cost of mental instability. Monroe eventually follows in Captain America's footsteps as Nomad and has a troubled costumed career that sees him brainwashed into the murderous Scourge before his disgraceful death. Monroe's story is tragic, but also full of action-packed scenes. It would immediately remind the fans of the first MCU Phases.

18 Wendell Vaughn/Quasar Is A Powerful Cosmic Hero

Wendall Vaughn starts his incredible superhero journey as a humble S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who gets put on guard duty. This menial task becomes the impetus for Wendall's exposure to the powerful weapons known as the Quantum Bands. These relics tap into a powerful energy source that's connected to the quantum power of the universe.

Vaughn gets chosen by the cosmic being, Eon, to serve as the esteemed protector of the universe, costumed hero Quasar. Quasar occasionally plays an important role in several of Marvel Comics' epic cosmic events, which are increasingly becoming viable cinematic material for adaptation. Quasar's name and powers get passed on to other characters over time, which makes him even more advantageous to bring into the MCU fold.

17 Ava Ayala/White Tiger Is An Underrated Vigilante Hero

Created by Christos Gage and Tom Raney, Ava Ayala took the White Tiger mantle after her brother, Hector Ayala, and her niece, Angela Del Toro. Thanks to her mystical tiger amulets, Ava gained superhuman speed, reflexes, and strength, as well as an incredible healing factor.

After New Avengers #18 (by Al Ewing, Carlo Barberi, Jesus Aburtov, and Clayton Cowles), Ava lost the mantle. However, her time as the White Tiger was a fan-favorite story. A film adaptation of Ava's origin as a superhero could increase proper racial representation in the MCU, introduce enthralling mystical lore, and explore the Ayala family.

16 Demolition Man Was Created By The Power Broker

Also known as D-Man, Demolition Man is an interesting Marvel superhero because, in terms of his powers, he's not very interesting or unique. However, it's D-Man's personal qualities and faults that give him depth. Dennis Dunphy becomes Demolition Man after the Power Broker increases his strength and stamina to superhuman levels.

However, Power Broker deceives Dunphy by making him think he needs his drug to maintain this strength. This strange addiction, besides an unstable heart condition, humanizes D-Man in a way that would be amazing material for a feature film. With the Power Broker introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it could be the perfect time to bring Demolition Man into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

15 Elsa Bloodstone Could Be A Leading Character In The MCU

Elsa Bloodstone is basically the Buffy the Vampire Slayer of the Marvel Universe. She’s a young, female monster hunter who comes from a prestigious lineage of other fighters of darkness. Films like Van Helsing failed to connect with audiences, but Underworld and Resident Evil are proof that a female-led monster-killing franchise works.

Now that Marvel Studios introduced Elsa Bloodstone in Werewolf by Night, they need to delve into her story or use her to explore the dark corners of Marvel's supernatural universe. A successful Elsa Bloodstone story also opens the doors for her popular team, Nextwave, and even more heightened horrors.

14 Power Pack Is A Team Of Young Superheroes

The Power Pack series fulfills a very specific niche where it looks at a team of four superheroes, but they’re all pre-teen siblings. Marvel has plenty of young superheroes out there, but the familial bond between the Power Pack sets the group apart.

The Power Pack taps into the unity of The Fantastic Four but with a greater level of intensity and innocence. Rumors of a Power Pack series persisted in the past, but the team would be even more effective in their own feature film that provides a younger slant on the typical superhero narrative.

13 Damage Control Cleans Up After The Avengers

Marvel's Damage Control is a pretty brilliant and self-aware idea that fits well with the meta concept that's now more prevalent in the MCU. Damage Control is a group of construction workers who are the everymen tasked with the repairs that need to be done during the fallout of superhero attacks.

It's a grounded idea that could explore a different side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and even get into past events but from Damage Control’s perspective. Curiously, at one point a Damage Control TV show was in development, but it never came to pass.

12 Moondragon Is A Key Member Of The Guardians Of The Galaxy

When she was a young girl, Heather Douglas and her parents stumbled upon Thanos' spaceship. After the villain killed her parents, Thanos' father, Mentor, adopted Heather and trained her. Later on, Heather discovered her father's soul was now bound to a new body, Drax the Destroyer.

In Guardians of the Galaxy, Drax explains that Ronan the Accuser killed his wife and daughter, Kamaria. This tragic detail about his backstory only worked as a plot device for Drax's vengeance. However, since it's quite similar to the story in the comics, it could also help introduce a new version of Moondragon to the MCU.

11 Madcap Is One Of Marvel's Zaniest Characters

A young student's life is forever changed after he's transformed into the Madcap following an A.I.M. chemical experiment gone awry. This chemical disaster wipes out an entire tour bus, except for Madcap, who takes on a new form, stops feeling pain, and acquires an advanced healing factor that seemingly makes him impossible to kill.

Madcap's survivors' guilt, coupled with his inability to die, creates a warped hero who could give Deadpool a run for his money as Marvel's zaniest character. Madcap's tragic but bizarre story is perfect for an MCU project that wants to leave the PG-13 rating behind and get darker.