After Marvel made the major announcements for the MCU’s phase 4 films and shows, it became clear that things were going to be changing big time in the world of Marvel. While the first three phases comprised the first chapter of the MCU, titled the Infinity Saga, this next chapter seems to be bringing a large and diverse approach to storytelling.
While most of the films seem to either be grounded heroics or deal with the supernatural/meta type of storytelling, there are indications of more alien life being discovered in the MCU. Needless to say, over its long history, Marvel Comics has introduced an incredible number of races, all with unique looks, backstories and abilities. It'd be fascinating to see some of them in action on the big screen. Here are ten that could appear soon.
10 Badoon
One of the first alien species that could appear in the MCU’s phase 4 is the Badoon. Older than the Kree and Skrulls, the reptilian aliens are a people divided by gender. The males of the Badoon went out to conquer worlds and fought the female Badoon, while the females became pacifists.
Despite once controlling up to 37% of the galaxy, the Badoon are considered a lower-class species. They possess FTL technology and cloaking tech, however, making them quite formidable. They have come into contact or conflict with the Guardians of the Galaxy, Inhumans and the Fantastic Four in the past, giving them good reason to appear in Marvel movies or shows.
9 The Watchers
One race of aliens that could make a much more impactful appearance in the MCU has to be the Watchers. Shown briefly in a scene or two in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the Watchers are a group of all-seeing aliens who bear witness to the major events and moments of the Marvel Universe.
The most famous of all the Watchers in Marvel Comics is Uatu, coming into contact with the Fantastic Four, Avengers and more. With Doctor Strange set to explore the multiverse and the Eternals set to explore the early MCU, the Watchers can’t be far behind.
8 Dire Wraith
This next alien species is one that is considered a variant of the alien species known as the Skrulls. The Dire Wraiths were created or engineered by the Celestials to evolve from the Skrulls, and took on both reptilian and mammalian traits that make them quite unique to the Marvel Universe.
Able to shape-shift like the Skrulls, the Dire Wraiths were eventually banished from the Andromeda Galaxy by the Skrull Empire, after it was discovered the female Dire Wraiths were practicing dark and evil magic, forcing the Dire Wraiths to settle in a new galaxy and a new world.
7 Mindless Ones
This next alien species is unique in that it doesn’t necessarily come from space as such, but rather from the space between dimensions. The powerful and obedient race known as the Mindless Ones come from the Dark Dimension, home to the powerful villain Dormammu and dark creatures.
Originally from their own dimension, the Mindless Ones dimension was merged with the Dark Dimension by King Olnar. They would be controlled by Dormammu, as well as foes like Doctor Doom and Dr. Midas. Heroes like Doctor Strange and the Fantastic Four often come into conflict with these beings, making them perfect antagonists.
6 Builders
One of the oldest races in the Marvel Universe has to be the powerful Builders. Featured prominently in Marvel comics in the past, the Builders were created by Captain Universe, who considered them her children. However, without her guidance, they eventually evolved to claim worlds for their own and guide the evolutionary progress of any given planet.
They eventually came into conflict with the Avengers and many of the united alien races of the Marvel Universe, after they discovered Earth had failed in its evolutionary progress. Conquering worlds as they traveled, they became a galactic threat to all life in the Marvel Universe.
5 Brood
One of the most popular alien races in the Marvel Universe has to be the Brood. A monstrous species, the creatures are much like the xenomorphs of the Alien franchise, where the creatures lay eggs inside of a host body that eventually overtakes the host and becomes a new member of the Brood.
The creatures have been both enemies and allies of the Avengers and Marvel Universe. Sometimes battling the likes of Captain Marvel and the X-Men, other times uniting with the Galactic Council against threats like the Annihilation Wave or Builders, the Brood is a truly memorable race. They'd fit right in.
4 Makluan
One alien race that has a great chance of at least getting a cameo --if not a full appearance-- in the MCU has to be the Makluans. These serpentine, almost dragon-like creatures reach up to 32 feet at full height and come from the planet Maklu-IV.
The most infamous of all the Makluans is Fin Fang Foom, a name all Marvel fans will probably be familiar with. The race has been known to have invaded China and Camelot, but the most likely way they will appear in the MCU has to be through the Mandarin in Shang-Chi, who gained his Power Rings from a Makluan ship.
3 Korbinites
Another alien race that has a great chance of appearing in the MCU phase 4 is the Korbinites. Made famous by the character of Beta Ray Bill, the Korbinites are a humanoid race of beings who have light orange skin and no noses or ears.
It was Beta Ray Bill who became infamous among the Korbinites, however, becoming genetically altered and modified to have more of an equine face and heroic body. He would become famous for having the heroism and worthiness of Thor, lifting Mjolnir itself. Now, wouldn't that be a great plotline for the next Thor movie?
2 Beyonders
Arguably the most powerful of all the alien races, the Beyonders are a great contender for an appearance in the MCU. Living in a dimension outside of the multiverse, the Beyonders have the power to capture worlds and place them in their museum for study. However, they're unable to enter the multiverse themselves, so they employ other alien races to do their bidding.
They are responsible for the High Evolutionary’s mental instability that turned him into an even more villainous being, as well as the destruction of the Living Tribunal and all of the powerful Celestials in the multiverse, making them incredibly dangerous foes.
1 Celestials
One alien race we know we're going to see in phase 4 is the Celestials. The origins of these powerful beings are a mystery, but they are responsible for the creation of many iconic races in the Marvel Universe, including the Eternals, Deviants and more.
While the deviants include villains like Thanos and the alien race known as the Skrulls, the Eternals are set to make their MCU debut in their own film, which includes characters like Sersi and Ikaris. The Eternals and Deviants are set to appear in the Eternals film, and so are the Celestials.