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TheMarvel Cinematic Universeoften utilizes certain characters that many would n’t have expect to be so crucial in the story as principal fixtures , surprising both render comic fans and series faithfuls . It ’s of import to remember that the Marvel Cinematic Universe did n’t start withMarvel comic strip ' most popular fictional character , having to make do with heroes like the Avengers who were n’t nearly as well - known as they are today . This has meant that the serial has get very just at giving big roles to characters that would n’t be look to have them at first glance .
Going into 2008’sIron Man , public knowledge of most major MCU characters had them as C - listers at best , only growing in popularity along with the movies . Over the row ofthe MCU timeline , this has meant that the serial publication has been more than uncoerced to take advantage of less bang fiber and change by reversal them into home name . One of the franchise ’s biggest strengths has historically been its willingness to place the spotlight in surprising places and let interview reaction determine which characters get more solo projection or appearance .
10Loki
From trickster god to benevolent timeline ruler
Few theatrical role have evolved in the MCU past their comical identity like Loki has . primitively showing up as the sneering villain ofThorandThe Avengers , Loki ’s MCU journeycould not have been predicted from the very start . The God of Mischief was so popular thanks to Tom Hiddleston ’s performance that the Marvel Cinematic Universe had no alternative but to include more chance for him to appear . It ’s no wonder he come back from the beat twice over the course of instruction of theThorfranchise .
Loki ’s popularity culminated in his own solo series , one of the only Disney+ MCU streaming testify to get two time of year . This series is n’t only one of the franchise ’s most well - received , but it ’s also a fitting determination to the growth of Loki ’s character over his straining timeline throughout the MCU . Few could have ask something likeLokito be such a hit going into the moving picture universe for the first fourth dimension , and its success shows just how far Loki has derive from his purpose as a distinctive deal - squeeze mastermind villain .
9Agatha Harkness
A viral sensation the MCU capitalized on
Even more of a minor character in both the Marvel Comics and the MCU to start is none other than the ancient witch Agatha Harkness . Always a five hundred - middle buster in popularity at good , Agatha Harkness is first insert inWandaVision , where it ’s revealed that she ’s not only been immune to Wanda ’s enchantment the full time , but a backcloth histrion control events for slip the bedlam magic for herself . The melodic jingle revealing it was Agatha sitting in the show ’s director ’s chair all along was a huge viral second for the Marvel Cinematic Universe .
Capitalizing on this unexpected rush of popularity , the serial publication presently moved on an Agatha - focalise solo project , which released just last year under the titleAgatha All Along . A worthy reprise ofWandaVisionthat introduce some authoritative new element to the MCU canyon , Agatha All Alongis just the kind of pleasant surprise the MCU thrive on . Agatha ’s installment ofWhat If … ?was another great purpose of her corner popularity , test the franchise ’s power to flap with the quicksilver fixations of its fans .
8Janet Van Dyne
Slowly grew to match her comic level of importance
Janet Van Dyne is an interesting case for importance in the MCU . As the original Wasp , in the comics , Janet is a fundamental founding member of the Avengers despite being sorely absent from the roll when the team first assemble in the Marvel Cinematic Universe . ab initio , Janet is only ever vaguely mention and shown concisely in a flashback inAnt - Man , intimate that she wo n’t be terribly significant to the overarch plot .
However , Ant - Man and the Wasp : Quantumaniafinally began to incorporate Janet Van Dyne in a mode befitting of her importance to the original Avengers narration . Here , it ’s shown that her delivery from the Quantum Realm is the inciting event that grant Kang a possible boulevard into the main timeline of the MCU , with Janet let a close personal human relationship to the clock time - traveling tyrant . Even ifKang was droppedas the next major overarching baddie , Janet ’s importance will hopefully proceed to raise .
7Shuri
Got to become the next Black Panther
Between her flick show , Shuri of Wakanda managed to go from supporting cast to one of the MCU ’s most significant heroes . Initially , Shuri is the Q to T’Challa ’s James Bond , using her engineering genius to fit out the Black Panther with impressive gadgets like the energising Energy Department - storing vibranium cause . That being said , Shuri was never afraid to conjoin the fray herself , even participate in the Battle of Earth inAvengers : Endgamewith her painter gauntlet blaster .
However , Shuri had to grow up tight after the back - to - back losses of her brother and mother , tragically becoming the next rule of Wakanda and Black Panther inBlack Panther : Wakanda eternally . She promptly proved her mettle , enduring a grueling fight against one of the stiff Earthbound MCU villains in recent retentivity , the aquatic mutant ruler of Talokan , Namor . Shuri has truly stand up to the challenge of becoming more important than anyone could have expected exit into the originalBlack Panther .
6Bucky Barnes
Has been one of the MCU’s oldest throughlines
Being a period piece that ends with Steve Rogers waking up in the modern day , few could have expected anyone other than the main case to make it into the future after the events ofCaptain America : The First Avenger . Least of all Rogers ' plucky childhood unspoiled friend and fellow brother - in - munition , Special Forces sniper James " Bucky " Barnes . However , comic readers were delighted to learn that the next movie would adapt the famous Winter Soldier plot line from the comics , which sees Bucky return as a brainwashed villain .
Somehow , Bucky has only increase his notoriety and importance to the MCU with each subsequent appearance . His ingenuousness was the emotional Crux Australis ofCaptain America : Civil War , which set the stage for the Avengers ' breakout up , and he was able-bodied to help the new Captain America inFalcon and the Winter Soldier . Now revealed to be a member of the U.S. Congress inCaptain America : Brave New World , Bucky is the only fibre confirmed to seem twice in theMCU ’s 2025 movie slating , a long way from his fourth dimension as a World War II sidekick .
5Wong
The MCU’s most reliable cameo
Another character better have a go at it in the comics as a sidekick to a more illustrious hero , Wong has been capable to truly make a name for himself in the Marvel Cinematic Universe . In the comics , Wong is just Dr. Strange ’s Samuel Butler and faithful manservant , not usually give much luck to develop on his own . The MCU made the prescient choice to make Wong much more of his own man , getting incredible milage out of Benedict Wong ’s awing operation as his eponymous case .
Wong managed to replace Dr. Stephen Strange as the Sorcerer Supreme , prove his long - place upright attainment as a witching user outmatched only by literal prodigy . Wong has been a preferent staple appearing in other hero ' solo projects , making his way throughSpider - Man : No Way Home , Shang - Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings , andShe - heavyweight : Attorney at Law . Wong is a great thesis statement of the MCU ’s approach of contribute more obscure characters peachy chance to beam .
4MJ
Not the MJ Spider-Man fans initially expected
Few eccentric have come as far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Zendaya ’s Michelle Jones , known informally as MJ . At first , MJ seems to be just a quirky background character meant to fill out the high school class of Peter Parker and Ned Leeds , thump fun at their nerdy tendency in her monotone voice . While the main dear interest ofSpider - Man : Homecomingis Laura Harrier ’s Liz Toomes , the picture show ends with the bombshell that Michelle also go by MJ , setting up the future of Spider - Man ’s ( and Tom Holland ’s ) love life .
Amazingly , MJ was able to evolve into a brilliant romanticistic married person for Peter Parker , even if she is distinct from the MJ of the comics in more ways than one . It speaks volumes to both Zendaya ’s performance and the believable relationship between the two the MCU was able to craft that there has n’t been any outrage from amusing diehards about the MCU ’s take on the character . It remain to be seen whether her function will amount back now thatSadie Sink has been cast inSpider - Man 4 , possibly as the " genuine " Mary Jane .
3Happy Hogan
From gratuitous cameo to beloved series fixture
It ’s quite rough-cut for directors to insert themselves as cameo histrion in their own films , and Jon Favreau has certainly done so before , playing a menage Dr. in his Christmas movieElf . But Favreau could n’t resist establish himself a slightly big front in the originalIron Man , play the delightfully exasperated escort and drive around Happy Hogan . Favreau went on to reprize this character in future Iron Man films , and has since become a consecrate fixture of the Marvel Cinematic Universe .
Happy has gone from Tony Stark ’s employee to his right-hand - hand man and trusted intimate , make him the face of Stark Industries after the tragic passing play of his friend . This has consecrate him a spectacular role in films place fromSpider - Man : No Way HometoDeadpool & Wolverine , even getting to decide who does and does n’t connect the Modern loop of the Avengers . What started as a simple , indulgent cameo quickly became one of the enfranchisement ’s warmest and most frequently - recurring conversant faces .
2Nebula
A critical character in the MCU’s biggest story
Nebula might have been sluttish to dismiss at first as a simple background knowledge quality and small-scale junior-grade antagonist for the Guardians of the Galaxy to square off against in the first of the spacefaring superhero team ’s movies . Gamora ’s adoptive baby and fellow factor of Thanos , Nebula was punish for her failures by her Padre with the vicious installation of cybernetics , turning her into a heartless assassin . In the firstGuardians of the Galaxymovie , she is n’t collapse much depth , but the sequel expanded on her hidden desire for sorority with Gamora .
Nebula eventually dumbfound to become a fully - fledgedmember of the Guardian of the Galaxy , sweep over her past programing just like her sis . However , she was shockingly pivotal to the plot ofAvengers : Endgame , as the past and present var. of herself clashed in their loyalty to Thanos , ensue in one last conflict against an older variant of the Mad Titan . Guardians of the Galaxy Vol . 3further exemplifies just how phenomenal actress Karen Gillan is in the part , dawn the disconsolate make-up and pitch - opprobrious eye with affecting striking skill .
1Rocket Raccoon
No one could’ve expected his story to hit so hard
The mien of Rocket Raccoon truly differentiate a turn dot in the Marvel Cinematic Universe . While the dealership had started off comparatively grounded with 2008’sIron Man , the launching of tattle Raccoon as the next superhero sincerely launch the floodgates for the series to be more prosperous with its comic Christian Bible source and revel in the ridiculous . Few could have expected that Rocket was n’t just a novelty , but one of the most beautifully - realized quality the series would have to offer .
Rocket ’s grapheme increment across theGuardians of the Galaxytrilogy is something to behold , run from a crass jerking to a soft - spoken drawing card . The backstory bring home the bacon to him inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol . 3proved just how incredible even the journey of a to the full CGI character could be in a laughable book universe , not let suspension of disbelief get in the way of good storytelling . It ’s dependable to say that Rocket was n’t expect to ever be the main character of a report , but he slip the show in every scene in theMCUincluding him .
Upcoming MCU Movies
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