Throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s existence, plenty of deaths have rocked the franchise to its core. In fact, a few characters' deaths would be fitting to undo in the main timeline, and thanks to the current saga’s focus on the multiverse, they can make a comeback without undoing their main timeline sacrifices. Case in point: Wolverine, who returned inDeadpool & Wolverineas a variant without erasing his sacrifice at the end ofLogan.
At first, the idea of bringing dead characters back sounds annoying. Still,if brought back for the right reasons and executed correctly, these unexpected but surely appreciated returns could be amazing. Who, then, would be the best to make a comeback? A few who would fit the bill, opening the door for some amazing content.These long-dead MCU characters are perfect to return, and their presence in the current MCU would actually work for the best.
10Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch
Played by Elizabeth Olsen
It’s quite well known that fans have wanted Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) to come back since her supposed death inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Now more than ever, loyal audiences expect her return to team up with her newly reintroduced son, Billy (Joe Locke), especially since he’s formally adopted his superhero identity, Wiccan, inAgatha All Along.
Wanda definitely has had her time to shine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe both as a hero and a villain; thus, it’s not like she’s overdue for a return to the franchise. Still, a hero andvillain as powerful as the Scarlet Witchwould be a wonderful addition to the upcomingAvengersfilms, especially if the MCU decides to properly adapt “House of M” or “Children’s Crusade.”
Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness
9Jane Foster/Thor
Played by Natalie Portman
One of the most popular characters in recent years of Marvel Comics has been Mighty Thor, meaning Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) after she takes up the mantle of Thor. So, when it was announced that Natalie Portman would be making her return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe inThor: Love and Thunderas Mighty Thor, fans were pretty excited. Unfortunately, she meets her fate at the end of the film, dying in Thor’s (Chris Hemsworth) arms.
Seeing the two Thors team up again in a future Avengers film would be a sight to behold. Not to mention, having her and Thor together in the fight against Doom (Robert Downey Jr.) (or whoever else may be a villain inAvengers: Secret Wars) would give the Avengers a huge advantage.One God of Thunder is already pretty powerfulbut two would be pretty much unbeatable.
Thor: Love and Thunder
8Pietro Maximoff/Quicksilver
Played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson
One of the core defining moments in Scarlet Witch’s character journey is the death of her brother, Pietro (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). Pretty much every MCU fan can agree that Quicksilver was killed far too soon. While it did wonders for Scarlet Witch’s arc,it’s tragic thatone of the best and fastest Marvel speedsterswas taken out so quickly — it was his first appearance, for crying out loud!
The reactions to his apparent return duringWandavisionshould be enough to show how excited most fans are at the idea of seeing him again. If Scarlet Witch somehow makes a comeback in futureAvengersfilms, Pietro needs to also return, even if just for a cameo.Seeing the Maximoff twins together again would be a beautiful moment, to say the least, and could do a lot for her character since she’s basically been living in a perpetual state of grief all her life.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
7Blackagar Boltagon/Black Bolt
Played by Anson Mount
Another thing that fans were excited about in recent years was the return of Black Bolt (Anson Mount) inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessafter the absolute failure ofInhumansmany years prior.Black Bolt is one of the most powerful Marvel Comics charactersand absolutely deserves his time in the spotlight. Sadly, Wanda killed him far before he could really show off what he could do.
Thankfully, it was only an alternate universe version of the character, meaning Black Boltcould easily make a comeback in the main continuity. Having a hero like Black Bolt in the Avengers would be crucial in the battle against Doom. In fact, the MCU should bring back the Inhumans as a whole, especially sincethe Eternals don’t seem to be coming back.
6Erik Killmonger
Played by Michael B. Jordan
Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) is one of the fewMCU characters better than their comic book counterpart. Fans were super excited to see him again in Shuri’s (Letitia Wright) visit to the Ancestral Plane inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. However,seeing him come back through the multiverse, as he did in the animatedWhat If…?series,to team up with Shuri would be spectacular.
It would also be a great moment to showcase how far Shuri has come sinceBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. The last time the two interacted, Shuri was in a much darker place and wanted to kill Namor (Tenoch Huerta), which Killmonger encouraged. Thus, seeing them interact again would be a great moment for Shuri as the new Black Panther.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
5Yondu Udonta
Played by Michael Rooker
The death of Yondu (Michael Rooker) is one of the most heartbreaking in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He’s one of the most beloved Marvel Studios characters, and his sacrifice inthe final battle of the second filmwas such a huge moment for Star-Lord’s (Chris Pratt) character, breaking hearts around the world.
SeeingStar-Lord reunite with Yondu via the multiverse(maybe even one that looks more similar to his comic counterpart just to spice things up)would be super movingand serve up some great team-up moments. Yondu’s return would also serve as an interesting parallel for the other father figure in Star-Lord’s life now, his maternal grandfather (Gregg Henry).
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Played by James Spader
There’s been plenty of rumors that a “Young Avengers” film may (or should) be in the works over at Marvel Studios. In the comics, their primary villain was Kang (Jonathan Majors), but now that he’s out of the picture, what better villain for the Young Avengers to face and prove themselves than one of the Avengers' most powerful enemies?
It would genuinely be so easy for Marvel Studios to bring Ultron (James Spader) back and explain that before he “died” at the end ofAvengers: Age of Ultron, he uploaded himself to a network or a robot somewhere. Sure, the Avengers thought they got the last one, but there’s no definitive way to prove it. Plus,if any villain deserves a chance at redemption,it’s Ultron. Many didn’t like his characterization in the sequel, so bringing him back in a new body that fits the books more would be a great redemption opportunity.
3Odin Borson
Played by Anthony Hopkins
SirAnthony Hopkinsmay not have particularly enjoyed his time in the MCUin his first twoThorfilms, but he sure did a good job with his role. What else could be expected from a two-time Oscar winner? Ifthe Avengers need some seriously powerful backup inAvengers: Secret Wars,Odin is the perfect god to bring to the table.
Imagine this: the Avengers are getting their butts whooped, and Marvel Studios decides to pull off another “Portals” scene like the one inAvengers: Endgame. Heroes from all across the multiverse arrive to back up the Avengers, and who’s leading the Asgardian charge? None other than Odin himself. It would not only be a bone-chilling moment, but his involvement would give Thor and potentially Loki (Tom Hiddleston) a chance to get the closure that they couldn’t have inThor: Ragnarok.
2Quentin Beck/Mysterio
Played by Jake Gyllenhaal
To be honest, no one even knows for sure if Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) is actually dead or not. At the end ofSpider-Man: Far From Home, when it seems like Mysterio may be dead, Peter has the chance to ask E.D.I.T.H. if it’s true. But just as he’s about to, Peter decides to ask if all of Mysterio’s illusions are down instead.
If fans look at the art book forSpider-Man: No Way Home, they’ll find that there’s concept art revealingthere were plans to potentially include Mysterio in the third film. Thus, it seems as if Sony and Marvel Studios are open to bringing him back. After all the terrible things that occurred inSpider-Man: No Way Homedirectly because of what Mysterio did at the end of the second film, having this illusionist reappear in Spider-Man’s life could bring out a darker side in the young hero,especially if he gets his hands on the Symbiote inSpider-Man 4.
Spider-Man: Far from Home
1Agent Phil Coulson
Played by Clark Gregg
Fun fact that not many may know:Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.is no longer canon to the Marvel Cinematic Universe., which is unfortunate because the series featured some great characters that could and should make a comeback to the cinematic universe. With this in mind,Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg) is still technically deadafter his sacrifice inThe Avengers. This was confirmed by the Official Timeline Book of the Marvel Cinematic Universe andKevin Feigehimself.
If Marvel Studios wanted to bring back the characters ofAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.and make it canon, it would certainly be easy, as it was initially made with the intention of being canon to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not to mention, Agent Coulson was and still is a major fan-favorite character. Bringing him back and makingAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.canonwould open up the doors to bring other characters like Quake (Chloe Bennet) into the Avengers fold,as well.
