Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has already introduced fans to a wide array of fresh faces, all set up for the future of the franchise. Over the course of four films and five Disney+ series, there are plenty of new characters for fans to fall in love with.
With so many new super-powered characters joining the fold, some are bound to resonate with fans more than others. Though all of the MCU’s new heroes are endearing and exciting, some of them truly stole the show, leaving fans wanting to see more of them as soon as possible.
Druig
Barry Keoghan surprised fans with a surprisingly lovable portrayal of Druig, one of the Eternals, a band of mythologically-based characters that have been tasked with protecting humans from the mutant race known as the Deviants. In following their mission, Druig and his friends uncover and derail the Celestials’ plan to destroy the earth in order to give birth to a new Celestial, Tiamut.
Much of the marketing around Eternals hinted that Druig might take a villainous turn at some point in the movie. However, the character managed to subvert fan expectations, proving to be one of the most altruistic of the bunch. The Eternal shows his deep love for humans throughout their history, constantly attempting to cease needless bloodshed and warfare, making him a surprisingly lovable character in the end.
Red Guardian
David Harbour’s Alexei Shostakov, the foster father of Natasha Romanov and Yelena Belova, as well as the Russian propaganda figure known as Red Guardian, saw his feature-film debut in Black Widow. Over the course of the film, the washed-up hero reclaims his title as the Red Guardian, perhaps continuing his superhero career thereafter.
Red Guardian proved to be a highlight of Black Widow, turning out to be a hilarious and well-meaning hero in his own misguided right. Aided by the comedic sensibilities of David Harbour, the character proved that a large comics-following isn’t necessary in order to become a fan favorite. Though Shostakov is not confirmed to appear in any future projects, he certainly wouldn’t be a character that fans would mind seeing more of.
Thena
Angelina Jolie added a certain level of gravitas to the cast of Eternals as she portrayed Thena, the figure upon whom the Greek goddess of war and strategy was based. Jolie turns in an emotional yet brave performance as Thena, shining in an already enviable ensemble cast.
Thena’s role proved bigger in Eternals than many fans had been expecting, showcasing the character’s vulnerability after a glitch in her programming caused her to remember the Eternals’ cruel past. Her relationship with Don Lee’s Gilgamesh proved to be a highlight of the character’s arc as she learned to make these weaknesses her strengths.
Sylvie
Sophia di Martino made her MCU debut last summer as the female variant of the MCU’s best villain, Loki. In the Disney+ series bearing Loki’s name, the two gods of mischief uncovered the truth behind the Time Variance Authority and learned about the soon-coming Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors).
Though hailing from another universe, Sylvie may prove to be a vitally important character moving forward in the MCU. Her powers, which rival Loki’s himself, make her a force to be reckoned with, yet her tortured past reminds viewers that she was once a very normal young girl whose childhood was stolen from her.
Sersi
Gemma Chan led the cast of Eternals as Sersi, a superbeing with the ability of transmutation. Over the course of the film, she adopts the role of the late Eternal leader Ajak (Salma Hayek), leading her family into battle against the emerging Celestial Tiamut and saving the Earth from total destruction.
Though Sersi is Chan’s second role in the MCU, the first being Minn-Erva in Captain Marvel, the character proves to be distinct and identifiable. Her pure and untainted love for humanity stands unparalleled, even among the Eternals, making her a worthy hero for audiences to follow in coming installments of the MCU.
Photon
Teyonah Parris portrays the adult version of Monica Rambeau, whose interference with Wanda Maximoff’s Westview Hex caused her to gain marvelous powers, leading to her introduction as the superheroine Photon. Rambeau is confirmed to appear in next year’s The Marvels, alongside Ms. Marvel and Captain Marvel herself.
Though Monica has remained absent from the MCU since her debut as Photon, it seems clear that she has a bright future ahead of her. Many fans have even theorized as a result of trailer footage that a variant of the character could even appear in Multiverse of Madness, perhaps as a member of the Illuminati.
Makkari
The Walking Dead‘s Lauren Ridloff joined the MCU in Eternals as the speedster Makkari, on whom the myths around the god Mercury are based. Ridloff became the first actress to portray a Deaf superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and is expected to return in some capacity in the franchise’s future.
Though she has very little screentime in Eternals, Ridloff makes the most of what time she does have, endearing herself to audiences at a remarkable speed, as is fitting for her character. Between her love of hoarding human memorabilia and her surprisingly amicable relationship with Barry Keoghan’s Druig, fans are already attached to Makkari.
Yelena Belova
Florence Pugh was introduced in Black Widow as Yelena Belova, Natasha Romanov’s foster sister and fellow Black Widow. Unlike Romanov, Belova didn’t break free of the Black Widow program until very recently, leaving her a quite broken individual, though she hides this insecurity with humor.
Yelena has quickly become a fan favorite in the MCU, especially after her second appearance in the Disney+ series Hawkeye. Her generally nonchalant approach to extreme violence and forced friendship with Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop have made Yelena a character fans desperately want to see more of.
Kate Bishop
Hailee Steinfeld was a dream casting choice for many Marvel fans who wanted to see Kate Bishop adapted for the MCU. Her debut in Hawkeye did not disappoint, setting up her heroic career in a way that has caused fans to already begin wondering where Kate Bishop will show up next.
Kate is a surprisingly relatable character, despite her lavish upbringing and generally fantastical life as a crime-fighting archer alongside Hawkeye himself. The character seems destined for a bright future in the franchise, perhaps as a member of the MCU’s version of the Young Avengers, a title that has long been rumored to be imminent.
Shang-Chi
Simu Liu made his long-awaited entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. In his self-titled film, Shang-Chi must stop his father Wenwu from unleashing horrors upon the earth in his desperate search for a way to resurrect his dead wife. In doing so, Shang-Chi proves himself worthy of wielding his father’s powerful ten rings.
Many fans were blown away with just how much they came to love Shang-Chi over the course of a single installment of the MCU. Already, rumors are swirling regarding the character’s inevitable return, with many hoping that it comes sooner rather than later. Given the immensely warm reception by audiences, it seems safe to assume that fans won’t have to wait long before Shang-Chi returns.
