MCU: The 10 Most Important Characters Entering Phase Five | Pretty Reel

Phase Four was the most expansive installment in the MCU for the shortest amount of time, leading to differing appreciation from the fanbase. From its beginnings with WandaVision through Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, Phase Four has examined the trauma and disorder caused by the events of Avengers: Endgame. It was characters like Wanda Maximoff, Loki and, unexpectedly, Wong, who were central to the Phase’s narrative and connectivity as the first part of the multiverse saga.

As for phase five, it officially begins with the release of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in February, and interestingly, with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, fans note that even the most classic comedy projects take on more serious tones. Currently, with six Disney+ movies and seven series, Phase Five is fully booked, although there is apparently more connective tissue than there was throughout Phase Four. Whether for their importance to individual projects or to the Phase as a whole, they are currently the most important and narratively significant characters in the MCU entering Phase Five.

Kang the Conqueror

For a while, fans weren’t sure who the big villain of the new Thanos-level saga could be. That’s until this summer when Marvel revealed the full Phase Five slate and part of Phase Six, including Avengers: Kang Dynasty. It’s practically a guarantee that Kang the Conqueror takes to hold this position – at least in some way. Jonathan Majors finally makes his multiversal warlord debut in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania after previously playing He Who Remain, a variant of Kang, Loki.

Despite being an antagonist, Kang is the character fans are most excited to see even more than the titular hero. In fact, given his actions in the comics and Twitter’s reaction to the recent Quantumania trailer, some think this might be Scott Lang’s last hurrah in the MCU, knocked down by Kang. Interestingly, setting the tone for Phase Six, Phase Five could incorporate other variants of Kang to prepare audiences for what to expect in Avengers: Kang Dynasty, if that’s the path they take. borrow as some fans theorize.

Valentina Allegra De Fontaine

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever sets up many upcoming Phase Five projects, unexpectedly including Thunderbolts. It’s been revealed that Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Valentina Allegra de Fontaine isn’t a countess like in the comics, but rather the new head of the CIA – as well as Everett Ross’ ex-wife. She first appeared in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and the Black Widow, clearly recruiting a new superhuman team.

Although it’s currently confirmed that she only appears in Thunderbolts, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her reprized elsewhere, including Secret Invasion and/or Captain America: New World Order. In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, she quickly proved herself untrustworthy, saying she dreams of having Wakanda’s extremely destructive weapons under her sole control. As Thunderbolts is the big team movie of the phase, most previous projects will set it up and likely delve into Valentina’s influence on certain characters and authority.

Love at first sight Ross

Marvel has made some smart decisions about the redesign so far in the multiverse saga. T’Challa was not recast for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, instead focusing on his impact on the characters, the world, and the franchise. Alternatively, they recast Thunderbolt Ross. William Hurt played him from The Incredible Hulk to Black Widow. He passed away earlier this year, but Ross will now be played by legend, Harrison Ford.

He should already appear in Captain America: New World Order as the new American president. His role in the phase will likely extend beyond that. The fact that the Thunderbolts are named as such is a big indicator of the possibility of him and Valentina working together, which makes sense for two government officials. While he’s not in the flesh like the others, it would be odd if there weren’t big mentions of Thunderbolt Ross leading up to Captain America: New World Order.

daredevil

Despite some polarizing responses to Phase Four as a whole, there’s one opinion shared by the majority of MCU fans – they’re absolutely thrilled that Charlie Cox is back as Matt Murdock aka Daredevil, and they’re thrilled with Daredevil. : Born Again. Disney+’s implementation has put Daredevil on ice, much to the chagrin of fans, who enjoy the Netflix series’ characters, tone, violence, and storytelling.

Luckily, though, he’s back and he’s clearly here to stay. Even before Daredevil: Born Again, Daredevil is set to return in Echo, presumably to help teach the young hero what it takes and how to best use his powers. Her role throughout the Phase can be big enough to bring other related characters into the fray, whether they’re newcomers like White Tiger or beloved Netflix veterans including Krysten Ritter’s Jessica Jones. and Punisher by Jon Bernthal.

Echo

Phase Five will see the first two spin-offs in the Phase Four Disney+ series, Echo and Agatha: Coven of Chaos. The latter recently caught the eye in light of casting news and hopes he will bring back Elizabeth Olson’s Scarlet Witch. However, the former is much more mysterious as very little is known about him. As such, Maya Lopez alias Echo is a character to watch diligently.

As with Daredevil, it can help broaden the reach of street-level stories by introducing new heroes. However, more than that, she will be key to more cultural exploration within the MCU when she returns home to reconnect with her native roots, which could involve her on a vision quest incorporating more facets of spirituality and culture. magic.

Stone heart

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduced audiences to not only one of the best villains the MCU has ever seen in Tenoch Huerta Mejía’s Namor, but also genius inventor, Riri Williams, aka Ironheart. Played by Dominique Thorne, she’s already set to start her own Disney+ series in phase five, Ironheart, which is quite remarkable since she’s relatively new to the comics having only debuted in 2016. .

Above all, she will face the Hood, a dangerous crime lord with magical powers, played by Anthony Ramos. This might be the most significant collaboration and conflict between science and magic in the MCU to date. Additionally, Ironheart will logically set up Armor Wars, while continuing the Young Avengers agenda that appeared throughout Phase Four.

Captain Marvel

After the season finale of Ms. Marvel, Carol Danvers is in unexpected trouble, having traded places with Kamala Khan from across the galaxy. This is the great dilemma of The Marvels. The two and Monica Rambeau continue to change unexpectedly. Interestingly, compared to previous projects (Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and at least Secret Invasion), The Marvels has a lighter tone.

Given the title, The Marvels could introduce new and great MCU cosmic heroes and old Captain Marvels themselves, Genis-Vell and/or Phyla-Vell. As for the current Captain Marvel, Carol will take over as the connective tissue between the Earth and space stories of the Guardians of the Galaxy MCU.

Captain Marvel

Ironheart will fill the void left by Tony Stark, but that’s not the same as being the next Iron Man. Phase Four explored the passing of the torch with Sam Wilson in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Kate Bishop in Hawkeye. In the first instance, Sam has come to discover the shield’s true potential and what it can do as Captain America, but now in phase five, he’ll have to understand the full scope of responsibility that comes with the nickname.

Captain America: New World Order will be the first MCU project with the successor as the main and, apparently, sole protagonist. Unlike others, Sam wouldn’t fit into any other Phase Five projects except Thunderbolts in a small role, so this will have to be his big performance. He will have to demonstrate even more what type of Captain America he will be, how he will work in collaboration with other heroes and government officials, and most importantly, how he will face a new breed of adversaries thanks to The Leader’s return. .

Blade

After hearing his voice in a post-credits stinger in Eternals, audiences will finally get to see Mahershala Ali as Blade in Blade. The film was originally slated for the start of phase, but is now expected to wrap up phase five in September 2024. It’s been a long time since it was first announced in 2019, and given Ali’s popularity, the hero, and the Wesley Snipes Blade trilogy, the blade of the MCU is highly anticipated.

Blade will be instrumental in building more supernatural and dark storylines from the foundations established in Werewolf by Night. He’s the way to introduce vampires and other major monsters to the MCU and will greatly increase fans’ desires for a Midnight Sons team-up movie.

War machine

When Armor Wars was first announced, it was a Disney+ show. It’s now a feature film presumably in phase six with Fantastic Four and Deadpool 3. This was done because the full scope of the project required the budget of a movie as opposed to a TV show. Excitingly, this will bring even more attention to Don Cheadle’s Rhodey. He’s already set to reprise in Secret Invasion, though the full extent of his role is still unknown. Presumably, since the series is supposed to lead into Armor Wars, he might have an unexpected lead role.

Oddly enough, other projects may expand into Armor Wars, including The Marvels, Ironheart, Captain America: New World Order, and Thunderbolts. As such, fans might see more of Rhodey than they ever imagined, and he might fill the void left by Wong by making an appearance often.

MCU: The 10 Most Important Characters Entering Phase Five | Pretty Reel