Although the Multiverse Saga is nearing its end now thatMCUPhase 6 is around the corner, I think we’re still going to see plenty of returning characters with some major power upgrades. This will, of course, be necessary for some, if the Avengers hope to stand up to the Multiverse Saga’s big bad, Doctor Doom, who will have likely pulled out all the stops to gain the upper hand. It is also necessary for many to up their game now that theMultiverse Saga hosts so many god-tier characters.
Some MCU characters may have peaked already in terms of power. For example,Thunderbolts*' Sentry seems to boast an arrayof powers that are tantamount to godhood, which is likely because the MCU intends to faithfully adapt the character. However, there are still some MCU characters with plenty of scope to improve their powers - and I think the MCU has already laid the groundwork in their last appearances.
10Skaar Will Have Much More To Do Than Stand There
Last Seen In She-Hulk: Attorney At Law
Skaar’s MCU introduction was as brief as it was out of the blue.The end ofShe-Hulk: Attorney at Lawsaw Smart Hulk return from Sakaar with his secret Sakaaran son, Skaar, in tow. Skaar, stepping out from behind his father sporting a distinctly Sakaaran garb, said nothing before the moment ended with no further fanfare. As such,there was no recourse for Skaar to exhibit any powers whatsoever.
In Marvel Comics, Skaar is the son of Hulk and Caiera the Oldstrong, though there is no mention yet of the mother of the MCU’s Skaar.
It therefore stands to reason that Skaar will do so in a future appearance, and possibly have a much greater impact on the MCU as a result. Should the MCU adapt Skaar faithfully, thenhe will possess many of Hulk’s attributes, including super strength, though he could also boast a comic-accurate power to control earth, stone, and even lava through his “Old power.“Where Skaar will next appearremains to be seen, though it is theorized that he could join up with the Young Avengers or herald a secret World War Hulk adaptation down the line.
9Cyclops Will Probably Receive The Focus He Deserves
Last Seen In Dark Phoenix
Although a younger version of Cyclops is portrayed by Tye Sheridan in Fox’s X-Men prequel movies, James Marsden’s version of the character was last seen inX-Men: The Last Stand.This appearance brought an unceremonious end to a rather underwhelming cinematic tenurefor the X-Men leader, as he was killed off-screen by the love of his life, Jean Grey. With Wolverine being the de facto protagonist of Fox’s X-Men franchise, Cyclops was largely sidelined in his X-Men movie appearances.
Now, James Marsden is confirmed tobe returning forAvengers: Doomsday, presumably reprising his role as Scott Summers alongside his erstwhile X-Men movie co-stars. Given the MCU’s propensity for improving portrayals of underserved Marvel movie characters,I imagine Cyclops will receive clearer focus and better treatment when he returns to the big screen. This should see him embodying the role of X-Men leader more overtly, along with a more impressive display of his optic blasts.
8Shuri Will Be A More Experienced Black Panther
Last Seen In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Letitia Wright’s Shuri took on the mantle of Black Panther inBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverafter successfully synthesizing the heart-shaped herb. Granted the same powers of the Black Panther as her late brother, Shuri proceeded to face off against Namor, the leader of the rival nation of Talokan. Unfortunately,Shuri wasn’t granted much time to hone her skills as the Black Panther before being thrown in at the deep end.
This should change when Letitia Wright reprisesthe role inAvengers: Doomsday.Thunderbolts*recently confirmed that there will be a significant time jump to get to the events ofAvengers: Doomsday, giving Shuri plenty of time to hone her skills as the Black Panther.She will likely bolster her powers with her brilliant mind and Wakandan tech, maximizing the potential of the Black Panther mantle and powers.
7Monica Rambeau/Photon Has Been Spending Time With Binary
Last Seen In The Marvels
Monica Rambeau was reluctant to adopt a superhero mantle when she was last seen inThe Marvels.She was also using just a portion of her full power for the majority of the movie, which is supercharged to new heights after Kamala Khan and Carol Danvers use the Quantum Bands to imbue her with more energy. Rambeau, now shimmering in white-blue light, then proceeds to use these powers to close an interdimensional rift between Earth-616 and a universe housing Beast from the X-Men and Maria Rambeau, AKA Binary.
Monica Rambeau has held multiple mantles in Marvel Comics, including Captain Marvel, Photon, Pulsar, and Spectrum.
Provided this process didn’t drain Rambeau of her powers, her next appearance in the MCU should portray her at her most powerful. Furthermore, now that she is in the presence of Binary and other X-Men, who are likely in possession of a Danger Room,it’s feasible that Rambeau will receive extra training. Presuming she works with the X-Men as fellow superheroes, I’m excited to see how Monica’s skills will have improved as a team player after being thrown into the dynamic inThe Marvels.
6Ms. Marvel Will Have Been Honing Her Skills
Ms. Marvel was still a novice in her latest appearance inThe Marvelsalongside reluctant teammate Monica Rambeau. Having only just manifested her powers of projecting light-energy constructs,Ms. Marvel was thrown in at the deep end against the Kree Supremor Dar-Benn, albeit with the support of Captain Marvel and Monica Rambeau. Mostly through intuition and a short training session with her new teammates, Kamala Khan was able to overcome the threat.
Ms. Marvel was then seen recruiting the Young Avengers, starting with Kate Bishop. Given that she is now a full-fledged superhero and securely in Nick Fury’s good books,it stands to reason that Ms. Marvel will have honed her skills. Whether this manifests as a new set of powers more akin to her comic book counterpart remains to be seen, but I’m confident that she’ll be a more confident fighter.
5Smart Hulk Needs To Relinquish Control Back To Savage Hulk
Bruce Banner successfully merged his brain with the Hulk’s body in the five years betweenAvengers: Infinity WarandAvengers: Endgame. As Smart Hulk,Banner’s greatest feat of strength was probably bringing about the Blip, where his gamma-resistance shielded him against the powerful Infinity Stones energy that ultimately killed Tony Stark. While having his brilliant mind intact is certainly a boon for any situation, however, I can only empathize with the wish to have his old, Savage Hulk persona return.
I feel as though this will probably be necessary to face Doctor Doom inAvengers: Doomsday. Hulk is purpose-built to overcome even the smartest of enemies with brute force, and I can easily imagine him wresting control back from Banner in a more powerful and vengeful guise, only to unleash on Doctor Doom.Seeing Hulk return in a more powerful state than what has thus far been depicted in the MCU would additionally appease fanswho believe the MCU has nerfed Hulk compared to his comic book counterpart.
4America Chavez Was Being Trained As A Sorcerer
Last Seen In Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
America Chavez debuted inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessas an imperiled multiversal being pursued by the movie’s arch-villain, the Scarlet Witch.It took America Chavez the entire movie to get to grips with her powers, which allowed her to travel the multiverse through star-shaped portals. She ultimately gained enough control over these powers to force Wanda to confront her own villainous descent, causing Wanda to destroy all variants of the Darkhold and herself along with it.
The MCU may lean more into America’s comic book powers, where she channels the multiverse to manifest such abilities as flight and super-strength.
Given that America Chavez was then left training at Kamar-Taj under Wong’s tutelage,it seems clear that she will have not just honed her powers of multiversal travel, but bolstered them with sorcery. This seems a wise route to take for the potential Young Avenger, as her portal powers are fairly limited in a straight fight. The MCU may lean more into America’s comic book powers, where she channels the multiverse to manifest such abilities as flight and super-strength.
3Cassie Lang/Stature Is Likely Being Trained
Last Seen In Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania
Cassie Lang spent the five years of the Snap studying and proving herself to be a genius in quantum physics. After constructing a Quantum Satellite, Cassie becomes partially responsible for sending herself, her father, and the van Dyne family to the Quantum Realm.Cassie also took ownership of another suit capable of similar feats as Ant-Man and the Wasp’s, and used it while in the Quantum Realm to help foment unrest and defeat Kang the Conqueror.
Scott Lang may have initially balked at Cassie Lang’s enthusiastic embrace of heroics, but their shared experience in the Quantum Realm proved what Cassie is capable of. Cassie was specifically referenced by Kamala Khan when she recruited Kate Bishop, suggesting thatCassie will emerge as part of the Young Avengersin afuture MCU installment. When she does,Cassie is likely to have gotten to grips with her suit and its powers, perhaps receiving more combat training and educationfrom the van Dynes and Hank Pym.
2Johnny Storm Won’t Be So Easily Defeated
Last Seen In Deadpool & Wolverine
Chris Evans' Johnny Storm made asurprise appearance inDeadpool & Wolverinein a hilarious but no less rewarding bait-and-switch cameo. Apart from providing some exposition and moments of hilarity, Johnny Storm didn’t contribute too much to the titular duo’s mission. In fact,upon flaming on to face Cassandra Nova’s henchmen, Johnny Storm was swiftly defeated by Pyro, who effortlessly extinguished Johnny’s flamesfrom a distance, completely incapacitating him. Later, he is brutally killed by Nova, who swiftly rids him of his skin.
As one of the movie’s main characters, it is far more likely that we will bear witness to some incredible feats of power from Johnny Storm.
I don’t expect a similar fate will befall Johnny Storm when his variant appears inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps. As one of the movie’s main characters, it is far more likely that we will bear witness to some incredible feats of power from Johnny Storm. I’ll admit, however, that his flames being extinguished while in space was somewhat evocative of Storm’s fate inDeadpool & Wolverine. Regardless,we may even see Johnny go nova inThe Fantastic Four: First Steps, which would be quite a sight to behold.
1Yelena Belova Now Has More Resources At Her Disposal
Last Seen In Thunderbolts*
As a Black Widow super-assassin,Yelena Belova has never boasted any superpowers. Instead, she accomplishes incredible feats through skill and agility, much like her late adoptive sister, Natasha Romanoff, who was powerful enough to rub shoulders with the Avengers.Thunderbolts*fully showcases what Belova is capable of, ultimately showing her to be agile enough to dodge a telekinetic onslaught from the Void.
Now that Belova has been announced as the leader of the New Avengers, I’m sure we’re going to see her abilities taken to the next level in theMCU. As a government-sanctioned super-team with the backing of Valentina Allegra de Fontaine,the New Avengers will now have access to a dizzying amount of resources that Yelena can use to bolster her arsenal of assassin equipment. Florence Pugh is confirmed to be starring inAvengers: DoomsdayandtheThunderbolts*post-credits sceneset up the movie directly, so we can expect to see Yelena at her most powerful there.
