Several actors from theMarvel Cinematic Universehave expressed their hopes for their characters to return in future solo and team-up movies developed by Marvel Studios. Since 2008, Marvel Studios has hired some of the most popular, talented and legendary actors to star in the MCU, each bringing vibrant and complex characters fromMarvel Comics' 85-year history to life on-screen. Many have had the honor of starring in solo movies, while others have been secondary and supporting characters, but the landscape of the MCU could soon change drastically.
Disney and Marvel Studios have recently suggested that the volume ofcontent output in the MCU will be cut down, which means fewer feature films may go into production as the MCU’s Multiverse Saga continues and leads into Phase 7. Even so,many actors from the MCU’s history have spoken out about their desire for their characters to return in new movies, many of them solo projects focused on some of theMCU’s most underused characters. In recent months, speculation has been growing about some of these much-wanted movies being developed.
10Nick Fury
Samuel L. Jackson Debuted As Nick Fury In Iron Man (2008)
Since appearing inIron Man’spost-credits scene,Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury has been a staple of the MCU, and one of the franchise’s most significant characters. He brought together the first Avengers team to fight Loki, inspired them again to battle Ultron, was revealed to have been pivotal in the origin of Captain Marvel, urged Spider-Man to continue his superhero career, and took down a Skrull rebellion on Earth. The latter formed the storyline for Fury’s first solo MCU project, 2023’sSecret Invasion, but a solo movie could still be on the cards.
All 13 Nick Fury Appearances In The MCU, Ranked
Nick Fury has been a central MCU player since the early days of the Infinity Saga, and here is every one of his appearances in the franchise ranked.
Following the release ofCaptain America: The Winter Soldierin 2014, Jackson spoke toEntertainment Weekly(viaDigital Spy)and suggested that Nick Fury would be an"interesting guy"to have a solo movie. At the time,this could have explored Nick Fury’s actions after the fall of SHIELD and his “death,” bridging the gap betweenThe Winter Soldierand 2015’sAvengers: Age of Ultron. In the MCU’s current timeline, it would be great to see Nick Fury in a solo movie followingSecret Invasion, perhaps explaining his work withSABER inThe Marvels.
9Groot
Vin Diesel Debuted As Groot In Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
Shortly after the release ofI am Grootseason 1 in 2022, Groot voice actorVin Dieselshared a message of thanks, and suggested that Marvel Studios also wanted to move ahead with a movie set on Planet X. The casual MCU viewer may not be aware, but Groot is part of a species known as Flora Colossus, who helms from Planet X.In Xandar’s files on Groot in 2014’sGuardians of the Galaxy, it was shown that Groot originated on “X,” confirming that his Planet X origin is the same in the MCU, but this hasn’t been explored on-screen.
After 2023’sGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, the future is uncertain for Groot and the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy. However,Guardians of the Galaxyfranchise director James Gunn did confirm that he had written ashort film exploring Groot and Rocket’s origin story, so it’s possible this could still be adapted into live-action. Following recent legal issues,it’s unclear whether Vin Diesel will be reprising the role of Groot, whether in a Planet X-set movie or in futureGuardians of the Galaxyprojects, but Groot’s origin story could still be fun to adapt.
8Midnight Sons
The Midnight Sons Team Has Been Teased For The MCU
Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight is one of most exciting and popular new heroes introduced during the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, but the character doesn’t yet have a confirmed future in the franchise outside ofWhat If…?. Speaking at 2024’s Middle East Film and Comic-Con in Abu Dhabi (viaGeek House Show), however, Oscar Isaac expressed his desire to return as Moon Knight in a movie focused on theMCU’s Midnight Sons team. This supernatural team of antiheroes has been heavily teased for the MCU, and Moon Knight would be an incredible addition.
I thought there was an interesting opportunity with Midnight Suns. There’s such interesting characters in there, and now that we’ve set the groundwork with learning who Marc, Steven, Jake are, it could be an interesting opportunity to see him as part of a team and what that dynamic would be. So I think that would be exciting, I think for me, I definitely hope there’s some room to explore that possibility.
Marvel Studios hasn’t yet confirmed the development of aMidnight Sons-focused team-up movie, even though several members of the team have already been introduced to the MCU, and more have been rumored.Oscar Isaac’s comments suggest there is desire from actors in the MCU to also take part in a Midnight Sons movie. This could see Moon Knight join forces with the likes of Blade, Werewolf by Night, Elsa Bloodstone, Man-Thing, Doctor Strange and the Scarlet Witch, which is a very exciting prospect for the MCU’s supernatural stories.
7Mac Gargan’s Scorpion
Michael Mando Debuted As Mac Gargan In Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
While Michael Mando had a small role asMac Gargan in 2017’sSpider-Man: Homecoming, there have been calls for him to return to the MCU, answering one of the franchise’s longest-lasting mysteries. Mando himself spoke toScreen Rantback in 2020 and suggested thathe’d love to take part in a solo movie focused on Mac Gargan, which could perhaps empower the villain to become the Scorpion or even Venom, both of which he becomes in Marvel Comics. This could continue on fromHomecoming’spost-credits scene, making the Scorpion a formidable MCU villain.
I definitely would. I think that would be fascinating – a detective who goes rogue. Mac Gargan kind of goes a little bit insane, and there’s also this other story where he becomes Venom as well. I think it’s a very, very rich character; it’s a dark character. And he’s a cop at the end of the day; he’s a detective. I think that’d be something that I would definitely be something I’d like to watch.
Mac Gargan’s Scorpion has persisted as one of Spider-Man’s most prominent and notable enemies in Marvel Comics, so it’s a shame he hasn’t yet emerged as a powerful foe in the MCU.Marvel Studios is currently developingSpider-Man 4, which is expected to kick-start a new trilogy for Tom Holland’s wall-crawler. This could mark the return of Mac Gargan, though it’s an interesting prospect to imagine him headlining a solo movie of his own, and this could be the perfect way to bring Venom into the MCU afterSony’sVenom: The Last Dance.
6Peter Quill’s Star-Lord
Chris Pratt Debuted As Star-Lord In Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014)
The ending ofGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3suggested thatChris Pratt would be returning to the MCUas the Legendary Star-Lord, but his future hasn’t yet been confirmed by Marvel Studios. Speaking toIGNin May 2024, Pratt revealed that he would"certainly"be open to returning as Peter Quill, though it would be"tough to do without James [Gunn].“Peter returned to Earth inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, perfectly setting him up for an Earth-based adventure that could lead to him joining the MCU’s new Avengers team.
It’s hard to imagine what that would look like, so I guess I’d just have to take it on a case-by-case basis. Of course I’d be open to it. I love the character. It changed my life. If it came along and it made sense and I felt like it was a story worth telling, then I’d certainly, certainly be open to it. I love playing Star-Lord. But it’d be tough to do without James, and you’d have to find an apparatus by which to maintain the tone that he so expertly creates, and it’s kind of hard because he’s truly one of a kind. And it would have to be with his blessing, so we’ll see.
Star-Lord was revealed to be the son of the Celestial Ego inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, though it seems his incredible abilities were lost when Ego was killed. It’s very possible that Peter Quill could have a significant role in the MCU’s future, however, perhaps helping to create more bridges between the MCU’s cosmic and ground-level adventures.Chris Pratt certainly has the goods to lead an MCU solo movie as the Legendary Star-Lord, and this would be a wonderful way to continue his story after theoriginal Guardians of the Galaxy team’s disbandment.
5Natasha Romanoff’s Black Widow & Clint Barton’s Hawkeye
Scarlett Johansson Debuted As Black Widow In Iron Man 2 (2010) & Jeremy Renner Debuted As Hawkeye In Thor (2011)
Scarlett Johansson was recently confirmed to be returning to the MCU as an executive producer on 2025’sThunderbolts*, but she also revealed toMTV UKthat she would have liked to have gone"further back in the Black Widow story,“with a desire to investigate the origin ofNatasha Romanoff and Clint Barton’s friendship. This was teased repeatedly throughout the MCU’s Infinity Saga and in 2021’sBlack Widow, but never explored fully on-screen, though Johansson and Jeremy Renner could still team-up to bring this story to life.
WhileClint Barton is still active in the MCU, and suspected to be returning now that Renner has recovered from his recent injuries, Natasha Romanoff’s future is less certain. Romanoff sacrificed her life inAvengers: Endgameto ensure the collection of the Soul Stone, soany future Black Widow movies would likely be retroactive, just like 2021’sBlack Widow. This presents a great opportunity for Marvel Studios to explore Black Widow and Hawkeye’s origin story, filling in more of the gaps in Natasha Romanoff’s history.
4Bruce Banner’s Hulk
Bruce Banner’s Hulk Debuted In The MCU In The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Bruce Banner was introduced to the MCU in a solo movie, 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk, in which he was portrayed by Edward Norton. However, since Mark Ruffalo took up the role in 2012’sThe Avengers,film rights disputes between Marvel Studios and Universal Pictureshave made the production of more solo Hulk movies improbable. Even so,there have been calls for Ruffalo’s Hulk to return in a new solo movie, with the status of the character’s film rights currently uncertain, though Ruffalo has been"asked not to comment on it”(viaComicBook).
Not that I know of. I’ve been asked not to comment on it, that specifically. Hopefully one day though they’ll work it out. I think it could be really cool and I’ve been putting a lot into what it could be to be cool, but I don’t know yet.
The fact thatMark Ruffalo has been putting thought into what story a future Hulk movie could explorecould mean that Marvel Studios is one step closer to making this much-anticipated sequel a reality. There has been speculation that Marvel Studios is gradually building-up to anadaptation of Marvel Comics’World War Hulkevent from 2007, which could put Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk front-and-center. The Hulk has been central to the MCU since the very start, and this should continue as the franchise keeps growing.
3Bucky Barnes' Winter Soldier
Sebastian Stan Debuted As Bucky Barnes In Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Sebastian Stan got the chance to explore more of Bucky Barnes' personality during 2021’sThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but this was alongside Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, with the focus on developing him into the MCU’s new Captain America. While Barnes is set to return as theWinter Soldier inThunderbolts*, it would still be great to see him in a solo movie. Sebastian Stan has been open to this idea since speaking toVarietyin 2018, noting that he’d"be down, 100%“for a Winter Soldier movie.
Of course, I mean, you know, the thing about these movies is, like, I mean we’ve had a lot of them, but at the same time, there’s always pieces that you feel like you could explore, you can go back, and you wanna, you know, every time you play the character, you learn something new, and you wanna go back and you wanna do it. So, of course, if it’s to get into some of the past, for example, that we haven’t seen yet, I would be down, 100%.
Projects such asCaptain America: The Winter Soldier,Captain America: Civil WarandThe Falcon and the Winter Soldierhave explored some ofBucky Barnes' many decades as a super-soldierin the MCU’s history. There is much more that audiences haven’t seen, however, so there is plenty of material for a possible Winter Soldier solo movie.Thunderbolts*is set to expand on the Winter Soldier’s story once again, but a solo movie could follow on from that, making Bucky Barnes much more of a main character in the MCU.
2Remy LeBeau’s Gambit
Channing Tatum Debuted As Gambit In Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
Channing Tatum originally auditioned for the role of Gambitin 2006’sX-Men: The Last Stand, and then almost appeared in a solo movie following 2016’sX-Men: Apocalypse. However, it wasn’t until 2024’sDeadpool & Wolverinethat Tatum would finally make his mutant dreams come true.His portrayal of Remy LeBeau’s Gambit received huge acclaim, spurring hopes for a solo movie focused on the Cajun mutant, which Channing Tatum himself has addressed in conversation withScreen Rant and others, hoping to"will it into existence.“
Channing Tatum Confirms Marvel Conversation About Gambit MCU Movies: “I’m Talking To Kevin”
Exclusive: Channing Tatum opens up on whether there is a future for his version of Gambit in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Deadpool & Wolverine.
Adeleted scene fromDeadpool & Wolverinewould have teased Channing Tatum’s return as Gambit, as he was seen in the Void looking upon a"Marvel Sparkle Circle,“a portal created by a Master of the Mystic Arts.Marvel Studios is currently developing new projects focused on mutants and the X-Men, made possible because of Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox. Gambit could be a core part of these stories, though there are some who believe Channing Tatum would not be right as a permanent fixture in the MCU, despite his own wishes.
Elizabeth Olsen Debuted As Wanda Maximoff In Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
Ever since she appeared in the post-credits scene ofCaptain America: The Winter Soldier, Elizabeth Olsen’s Wanda Maximoff has been one of the MCU’s most popular characters. This grew even more prevalent in Phase 4, asWandaVisionandDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnesstransformed Wanda Maximoff into the Scarlet Witch, and gave her a much more pivotal role in the MCU. This spurred speculation about asolo Scarlet Witch movie, and while Olsen noted toGood Morning Americathat she knew nothing for certain, she did suggest she was"expecting to return"as the Scarlet Witch.
The release of Marvel Television’sAgatha All Alonghas raised speculation that Wanda Maximoff’s Scarlet Witch will return, given its focus on the MCU’s witches.WandaVisionandAgatha All Alongcreator Jac Schaefferrevealed toVarietythat she is"hoping for a Scarlet Witch movie,“but stayed mum about the prospect of her developing this project herself. It would be brilliant to see Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch return to theMarvel Cinematic Universe, and any number of these solo or team-up movies could make Marvel Studios' ever-growing superhero franchise even stronger.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
