Marvel fans are eagerly anticipating the flurry of highly anticipated superhero movies set to release in the next couple of years. With the likes of Spider-Man, Thor, and Doctor Strange setting the tone for the MCU, the stakes are high. However, it is the lesser-known characters that could steal the show in 2023.
Marvel has recently announced some of its upcoming movies, including Blade, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. While these movies feature fan-favorite characters, there are some less-known characters that could surprise fans and steal the limelight.
One such character is Kamala Khan, aka Ms. Marvel. Kamala Khan is a 16-year-old Pakistani-American teenager who gains shapeshifting abilities after being exposed to Terrigen mist. She is a character that resonates with teenage audiences, and her introduction into the MCU could bring in a new demographic of viewers. It’s also worth mentioning that Ms. Marvel will be the first Muslim superhero to lead her own series on Disney+, which is an accomplishment in itself.
Another obscure character that Marvel could utilize to captivate audiences is She-Hulk. Jennifer Walters is a lawyer who, after an emergency blood transfusion from her cousin Bruce Banner, gains the ability to transform into the green-skinned She-Hulk. She-Hulk maintains her intelligence, unlike her male counterpart, and her sense of humor will be a refreshing addition to the MCU. More significant is her incorporation in the fourth phase of the MCU as an Avenger which is quite significant.
Moon Knight is also a character that Marvel could utilize to their advantage. He is a vigilante with multiple-personality disorder who fights crime in Egypt which is a unique place to explore in the MCU. Marvel will be introducing him into their cinematic universe on Disney+ in 2022. Marc Spector may not be as well-known to the mainstream audience, but his unique character traits could add a new layer of depth to the MCU.
Finally, another character that could potentially shine is Shang-Chi, the master of Kung Fu. Shang-Chi has been a long-standing character in Marvel comics, but not a well-known one. He is a skilled martial artist and part of the Avengers. His background as the son of the now-villain Fu Manchu may not translate to the screen, but his excellent fighting skills and story will still make him quite an interesting character to keep an eye on in the MCU.
In conclusion, while the likes of Thor and Spider-Man are undoubtedly the backbone of the MCU, it is the lesser-known characters that could provide a fresh perspective in the upcoming years. Marvel’s announcement of Blade, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania is exciting, but Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, Moon Knight, and Shang-Chi could provide a unique experience to MCU fans. So Marvel’s secret weapon for the coming years is undoubtedly their lesser-known characters.