8 MCU Characters Who Could Replace 1 Key Missing Young Avenger

Recent speculation suggests that Marvel Studios may have already introduced a secret member of the upcoming Young Avengers team in the MCU. Following the conclusion of the MCU’s Infinity Saga and the deaths or retirements of some of the franchise’s original superheroes, Marvel Studios has introduced many young heroes and legacy characters into live-action, teasing the formation of the Young Avengers. While Marvel Studios hasn’t provided an official comment on the Young Avengers in the MCU, 2023’s The Marvels finally saw the team being addressed by Kamala Khan and Kate Bishop, and more potential members have been hinted at joining.

While Kamala Khan’s Ms. Marvel, Kate Bishop’s Hawkeye and Cassie Lang’s Stature (or Stinger) are the first members of the MCU’s Young Avengers, more young heroes, including Kid Loki, Eli Bradley and America Chavez, could also join the team. Marvel Studios’ Young Avengers has also been rumored to feature Teddy Altman, a.k.a. Hulkling, a Skrull-Kree hybrid who forms a romantic relationship with the Scarlet Witch’s reincarnated son, Billy Kaplan, a.k.a. Wiccan. Unconfirmed speculation suggests Hulkling might have already debuted in the MCU (via Wiccan News), and there are several potential characters who could be revealed to be the shapeshifting superhero.

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8 Hulkling Could Be A Skrull Refugee From Tarnax

Tarnax’s Skrull Refugees First Appeared In The Marvels (2023)

In Marvel Comics, Hulkling is the son of Skrull Princess Anelle and the Kree superhero Mar-Vell who was smuggled to Earth by a chambermaid for protection. Marvel Studios has explored the relationship between the Kree and the Skrulls in the Captain Marvel franchise, so it’s possible that Teddy Altman’s Hulkling has already been seen, perhaps as a Skrull refugee saved from Tarnax in 2023’s The Marvels. After Dar-Benn stripped Tarnax of its atmosphere, Captain Marvel and Valkyrie took the planet’s refugees to Earth, so if Hulkling was among them, he now has the perfect opportunity to join the Young Avengers.

The Marvels

PG-13

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

Superhero

Release Date

November 10, 2023

Director

Nia DaCosta

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7 Secret Invasion’s Beto Was Teased To Have A Much Larger Role

Beto First Appeared In Secret Invasion (2023)

Samuel Adewunmi debuted as Beto, a Skrull living on Earth, in 2023’s Secret Invasion on Disney+. Beto reluctantly joined Gravik’s rebellion, allowing him to live safely among other Skrulls. However, Beto became part of a mutiny, and was unceremoniously killed by Gravik, but Marvel Studios may bring him back and reveal him to be Hulkling. After making the journey to the Skrulls’ base of operations in Secret Invasion, Beto was teased to have a major role in the series, but this didn’t really come to fruition, so perhaps he could have a bigger part to play in the MCU’s future.

6 Jack Champion’s Avengers: Endgame Character Remains A Mystery

Jack Champion’s Unnamed Character First Appeared In Avengers: Endgame (2019)

Prior to starring as Spider in James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water, Jack Champion made a cameo appearance in 2019’s Avengers: Endgame as an unnamed kid on a bike. Paul Rudd’s Scott Lang, a.k.a. Ant-Man, questioned Champion’s character about the state of the world after returning from the Quantum Realm in Avengers: Endgame, but received no reply. Since Champion has gone on to appear in the highest-grossing movie of all time, Marvel Studios may want to bring him back into the MCU, potentially revealing him to be Hulkling and giving him a major role among the MCU’s Young Avengers.

5 Zachary Fairbanks Could Have Been A Skrull (Like His Father)

Zachary Fairbanks First Appeared In Secret Invasion (2023)

Alasdair Noble debuted as Zachary Fairbanks in Secret Invasion episode 3, “Betrayed,” introduced as the son of Commodore Bob Fairbanks, who had been replaced by a Skrull. Nick Fury and Talos held Zachary hostage while questioning his “father” in Secret Invasion, and though Zachary himself wasn’t revealed to be a Skrull, this is entirely possible due to his proximity to the prominent Skrull Bob Fairbanks. Marvel Studios may want to distance future MCU projects from Secret Invasion, due to the project’s disappointing ratings, but bringing back Zachary as Hulkling could at least bring some gravitas to the Phase 5 series.

Secret Invasion

PG-13

Adventure

Drama

Action

Superhero

Release Date

June 21, 2023

Directors

Ali Selim

Showrunner

Kyle Bradstreet

4 Skaar As Hulkling Would Change His Marvel Comics Origins Significantly

Skaar First Appeared In She-Hulk: Attorney At Law (2022)

In Marvel Comics, Skaar and Hulkling are two separate characters, and though the MCU’s Skaar, from She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, has nothing to do with the Skrulls, it’s possible his origin story could be changed. All that’s known about Skaar so far is that he’s the Hulk’s son, and since Hulkling’s form was based on the Hulk in Marvel Comics, it’s possible this connection could be made. Perhaps Skaar’s mother is a Kree warrior, or, indeed, a Skrull Princess, allowing Hulkling’s MCU powers to be adapted into the Hulk’s sheer strength and his mother’s power-set, though this does seem unlikely.

3 Bruno Carrelli’s Hulkling Would Connect Ms. Marvel Even Further To Captain Marvel

Bruno Carrelli First Appeared In Ms. Marvel (2022)

Matt Lintz’s Bruno Carrelli debuted as Kamala Khan’s best friend and confidant in Phase 4’s Ms. Marvel series. While there has been no indication of Bruno being revealed to be a secret extraterrestrial hero, Bruno’s proximity to Ms. Marvel could hint at him being a Skrull, as Ms. Marvel has now become embroiled directly in Kree and Skrull storylines in the MCU. Bruno’s incredible intelligence, technical proficiency, and knowledge of genetics and DNA hint at him having some major secret, and since nothing is yet known about his family, it’s possible he could be revealed to be the MCU’s Hulkling.

Ms. Marvel

Adventure

Comedy

Action

Release Date

June 8, 2022

Directors

Adil El Arbi

Showrunner

Bisha K. Ali

2 Ralph Bohner’s Real Identity Still Hasn’t Been Revealed

Ralph Bohner First Appeared In WandaVision (2021)

Evan Peters’ introduction in 2021’s WandaVision came as a shock, as he seemed to be reprising his role from Fox’s X-Men Universe as Quicksilver. However, he was revealed to be Ralph Bohner, an actor under Agatha Harkness’ control, though WandaVision’s deleted scenes confirm that he is actually the FBI’s missing witness in Westview – not Ralph Bohner at all. Peters is yet to return to the MCU, but since there is a lot of mystery surrounding his character, it’s possible he could be the MCU’s Hulkling. However, at 37-years-old, Peters may simply be too old to portray a Young Avenger.

1 Harley Keener Returned In Endgame, But Has Disappeared Again

Harley Keener First Appeared In Iron Man 3 (2013)

One of the biggest mysteries in the MCU is the true nature of Ty Simpkins’ Harley Keener, the kid who befriends Tony Stark during 2013’s Iron Man 3. Popular theories suggest that Keener could become the new Iron Man, or be revealed to be Iron Lad, another Young Avenger, but it’s also possible he could be Hulkling, particularly since Keener’s technical proficiency hints at some enhanced intelligence. Keener returned for Tony Stark’s funeral in Avengers: Endgame, teasing his return to the MCU, but whether this is as a member of the Young Avengers or not is yet to be seen.