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Superheroes thrive in animation. The medium is uniquely positioned to capture the visual possibilities and sheer imagination of comic books without having to compromise anything. It's the reason the highest-rated superhero show of all time on IMDb is a cartoon. As we have seen time and time again, from the masterpiece that is "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" to the gripping drama of "X-Men '97," animation can serve these stories in a way that live-action can't.

Still, that doesn't mean every effort is a home run. For every "Batman: The Animated Series," there's a "Batman Unlimited." While the '90s saw plenty of masterful cartoons based on superheroes, even Marvel ones with "X-Men: The Animated Series" and "Spider-Man," there was still something missing — The Avengers. So, in the late '90s, Fox Kids decided to fix this grave mistake and create an Avengers cartoon. Before the show could get greenlit, however,...

Quick Links The Salem Seven Take Center Stage in Avengers: United They Stand Agathas Son Has the Upper Hand Visions Love Conquers All in Avengers: United They Stand

Besides finally breaking out of Wandas spell after three long years and making the decision to travel on the Witch's Road to get her powers back, the newest Marvel show on Disney+, Agatha All Along, also shows Agatha Harkness being stalked by none other than the Salem Seven. Their mere presence does not bode well for the titular witch and her new-found coven. Even with some blink-and-you-miss-it appearances in the first two episodes, these robed and ghastly-looking figures have already caused a stir online, with every MCU fan quickly trying to figure out who they are and what they are capable of.

For starters, they are Agathas grandchildren, who practically burned her at the stake at one point and also helped summon the cosmic horror Shuma-Gorath.

The unbelievable but perfectly deserved success of X-Men ‘97 gave fans one of the best TV/movie adaptations of the evergreen X-Men in recent years. The show, which was a revival of the classic 90s TV series, delightfully managed to stay consistent with the traditional arc while giving fans plenty to chew on for the time being.

A still from X-Men ’97. | Credits: Disney.

However, as Marvel will testify, viewers are constantly on the lookout for new content, and X-Men ‘97 has resulted in considerable interest in similar reboots of some of the other animated offerings that Marvel can work on. That includes a plethora of its 90s animated shows, such as Iron Man, Spider-Man, Spider-Man Unlimited, or even The Incredible Hulk.

Alex Perez reveals Marvel is always working on new ideas X-Men ’97 | Credit: Marvel Entertainment

The Cosmic Circus writer, Alex Perez, recently held a lengthy Q&a...

Warning: This article contains spoilers for X-Men '97 episode 7, "Bright Eyes."

Captain America made a cameo appearance in X-Men '97 episode 7, and teased the existence of his Avengers team. Many members of the Avengers appeared in previous installments in the Marvel Animated Universe in the 1990s, so could return in X-Men '97. Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, the Black Panther and Doctor Strange, among others, could all appear as Avengers members in X-Men '97.

Captain America may have teased the return of an animated Avengers team during his cameo appearance in X-Men '97 episode 7. Despite the X-Men: The Animated Series revival being set outside the main continuity of the MCU, Marvel Studios previously promised major cameos from popular MCU heroes in X-Men '97, and this kicked off properly in X-Men '97 episode 7, "Bright Eyes", with an appearance from Captain America. However, Captain America might not be the last Avenger...

Warning! This post contains Spoilers for X-Men '97 episode 7, "Bright Eyes"

X-Men '97's Captain America and General Ross cameos suggest that Marvel is reviving its original shared universe one composed of multiple animated shows. Marvel's 1990s animated shows were all originally going to be set in a single continuity, but production issues prevented that from happening. X-Men '97 may not only overhaul X-Men: The Animated Series, but also lay the foundations for the revival of Spider-Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man, Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer, and even Avengers: United They Stand.

An X-Men '97 cameo suggests that Marvel is restoring its original shared universe, which predates the McU's creation by more than a decade. X-Men '97 episode 7 "Bright Eyes" follows the X-Men as they recover from the Fall of Genosha, with Rogue manifesting her grief as pure rage. This puts her on a quest to find the man...

It’s been no secret that Tom Hiddleston, adored by fans for his portrayal of Loki in the MCU, originally auditioned for the part of Thor. Despite losing the part to Chris Hemsworth, he landed the pivotal role of the God of Mischief, shaping both his career and the franchise.

While his journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe might have concluded, Hiddleston continues to offer intriguing insights into the cinematic universe. And he revealed one recently related to his Marvel contract while discussing the details of his initial contract negotiations.

Tom Hiddleston in Loki | Disney+/Marvel Tom Hiddleston MCU Contract Had a Surprising Clause

In his recent appearance on the Seaman Says podcast, Tom Hiddleston shared details of his original Marvel Studios contract. The actor shared that he had already signed a “pre-negotiated” contract when he went in for auditions.

Tom Hiddleston | Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

However, on that morning...

Marvel's iconic 1990s animated universe featured the primary Avengers before their MCU debut. X-Men, Iron Man, Hulk, Fantastic Four, and more were part of the Marvel Animated Universe. Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor were integral to establishing the Avengers in animated form.

Marvel's iconic 1990s animated universe featured each of the primary Avengers who would later appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel's interconnected animated franchise is often referred to as the Marvel Animated Universe, boasting a wealth of shows and narratives featuring their most famous characters. As such, each main Avengers member depicted in the MCU timeline has made an animated appearance before their iconic depiction in the live-action franchise.

Many Avengers appeared in the Marvel Animated Universe shows. These comprise the iconic X-Men: The Animated Series, Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Fantastic Four, Avengers: United They Stand, and Spider-Man Unlimited. While Avengers: United They Stand depicted several classic Avengers,...

Avengers: United They Stand features a unique team lineup and engaging villains, crafting thrilling adventures for fans of Marvel heroes. Some episodes like "Earth and Fire - Part One" and "To Rule Atlantis" explore intriguing narratives, setting the stage for future storylines. Not all episodes reach the same level of excellence, with some falling short due to predictability or lack of depth, but still offering entertaining moments.

Avengers: United They Stand depicts the thrilling adventures of the famed Marvel heroes, with some notably celebrated episodes. Avengers: United They Stand only lasted for 13 episodes, from 1999 until 2000, concluding Marvel's interconnected animated universe. Despite its relatively short run, Avengers: United They Stand included some particularly noteworthy episodes.

Avengers: United They Stand featured an Avengers team based on Marvel Comics' West Coast Avengers, rather than the classic Avengers line-up depicted in the MCU. The team, which Ant-Man led, consisted of Wasp, Tigra, Wonder Man,...

Sam Raimi found huge success with the ‘Spider-Man’ film trilogy, each installment grossing over $800 million worldwide. However, plans for further sequels were derailed due to script issues. Raimi aimed to redeem himself after disappointment with ‘Spider-Man 3’ by planning ‘Spider-Man 4,’ which never came to fruition. In 2022, he expressed regret about not ending the franchise on a high note after the least successful installment.

However, Raimi’s involvement with Spider-Man didn’t end there. He and Marc Webb later served as creative consultants for Marvel Studios’ ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ directed by Jon Watts. Recently, rumors have surfaced that Raimi could direct ‘Avengers: Secret Wars,’ a highly anticipated installment in the ‘Avengers’ franchise.

Sam Raimi talked about the rumors at this year’s WonderCon, admitting he’d love to work with Marvel again and direct the upcoming ‘Avengers.’

“I love 90% of the Marvel heroes that I’ve read in the...

"X-Men '97" brings back the marvelous mutants as if they never left TV screens after the original series finale, "Graduation Day." The trailer promised a tone and style befitting the original, plus plenty of Marvel comic book Easter eggs.

Now, the X-Men are larger than life — and ultimately, any one actor. In the 27-year hiatus between the 1992 series and this revival, the X-Men finally made it to live-action (we ranked their cinematic adventures here) and starred in other animated series. Since "X-Men '97" is a revival of a specific version of the X-Men, though, the show has brought back cast members and creatives from the original show. If they hadn't, then why revive this series instead of just making a new "X-Men" cartoon?

In its opening titles, "X-Men" would introduce each member of the team one-by-one with hero shots demonstrating their powers and/or quirks alongside huge text displaying their names.

The Marvel Animated Universe (Mau) started in 1992 with X-Men: The Animated Series, paving the way for the Marvel Cinematic Universe over a decade later. The Mau included animated series like Spider-Man and Fantastic Four, dominating the 90s and influencing the success of later live-action adaptations. Marvel is capitalizing on nostalgia by continuing the X-Men: The Animated Series continuity with X-Men '97, potentially leading to more animated crossovers.

While the MCU may have popularized the concept of a shared cinematic universe, Marvel's first came 16 years prior. Since it debuted with Iron Man in 2008, the MCU has proven that a shared cinematic universe is an exceptionally compelling structure that helps to enrich the stories it tells by having dozens of movies feed into an overarching narrative. While other movie franchises have tried to emulate the success of this structure, none have matched the MCU movies, and it's likely because Marvel is well-versed in the process.

After being introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2021's Hawkeye, Maya Lopez -- better known as the lethal superhero Echo -- stars in her own Disney+ and Hulu original series this January. The first project under Marvel Studios' continuity-light Marvel Spotlight banner, Echo will certainly catch audiences off-guard if they're expecting something narratively or tonally similar to Hawkeye or even Marvel Television's Netflix live-action series, including Daredevil. Echo does lend a unique perspective to the MCU and its eponymous protagonist remains as magnetically focused as ever, but the five-episode miniseries is unlikely to sway those who feel Marvel Studios has lost its billion-dollar touch in recent years.

In the wake of Maya turning on the Kingpin at the end of Hawkeye, Maya becomes a hunted woman, pursued by a recovering Wilson Fisk and his vast criminal empire. Maya retreats from New York City back to her hometown in Oklahoma,...

Iron Man's leadership qualities are questionable and he may not have been the best choice to lead the Avengers. Tony Stark's significance in the MCU is undeniable, but his central role may hinder the franchise moving forward. Despite his heroism, Iron Man's mistakes often outweigh his actions and he ultimately does more harm than good.

Four years after Iron Man's death in the MCU, revisiting his narrative arc reveals several harsh and unfortunate realities about the character and his place within the franchise. As the very first hero to appear in the MCU’s movie timeline, Iron Man is undoubtedly one of the franchise’s most important characters. Whether as the armored superhero Iron Man or as the scientific genius and billionaire Tony Stark, he remains one of the MCU’s most beloved characters even years after his death in Avengers: Endgame. Over his time in the MCU,...

Marvel Studios may have a hard time finding an actor willing to play Kang, as Jonathan Majors was dropped due to harassment and assault allegations. A popular fan choice for the role has made it clear that he is not interested in stepping into the role through a tweet response. The role is now saddled with baggage, and some actors may want to steer clear of a role with such an unfortunate background.

The MCU may be looking for a new actor to play Kang after cutting ties with Johnathan Majors, but one popular fancast for the role has already made it quite clear that he's not interested. Jonathan Majors played several variants of Kang in projects like Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and Loki seasons 1 and 2, but Marvel officially dropped Majors after the actor was found guilty of harassment and assault on December 18, 2023. At this point, it's unclear if...

The zombie roster for Marvel Zombies is becoming even more powerful, with characters like Captain Marvel and the Abomination joining the already infected Avengers from Marvel's What If...? The survivors in Marvel Zombies only have a few significantly powered heroes on their side with Shang-Chi and Ms. Marvel, relying mostly on skilled individuals like Yelena Belova and Kate Bishop. The surviving Avengers will likely face a major defeat in Marvel Zombies, as the sheer power of the zombies may be too much for them to overcome.

The McU's next major Avengers defeat could happen two years ahead of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Thanks to 2024's Marvel Zombies event, it's quite possible that the apocalyptic version of the MCU could see Earth's Mightiest Heroes getting absolutely decimated (those who've yet to become infected). Although there will be a wide roster of survivors in the upcoming event series, one fact proves that...

Chris Ouellette has shared "B-List/Replacement Avengers" fanart on Instagram. The art creates a roster out of War Machine, Ant-Man, Yellowjacket, Trick Shot, Yelena Belova, White Vision, U.S. Agent, Mr. Fixit, and Thunderstrike. Hopefully, Marvel sees the art and gives this team their own series, similar to 2010's Chaos War: Dead Avengers.

Breaking free from the shadows, the most overlooked Avengers members unite in a fan-created masterpiece, crafting a team that demands recognition and - hopefully - canonicity. This epic Avengers art showcases the team's most underappreciated heroes in a dazzling new light and serves as the team-up fans didn't know they needed.

The level of professionalism displayed in Ouellette's artwork is so striking that it seamlessly aligns with the standards of official Marvel comic art, blurring the lines between fan creation and official content.

Via Instagram, artist Chris Ouellette has unveiled "B-List/Replacement Avengers," showcasing a lineup that includes War Machine,...

Red Guardian's long-standing claim about fighting Captain America could finally become true in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Red Guardian will appear as a survivor in the Marvel Zombies animated series, giving him the opportunity for a showdown with Captain America's zombified corpse. Marvel Zombies may provide other twisted showdowns, including the Hulk versus a zombie Abomination and Ms. Marvel versus a zombie Captain Marvel.

An Avenger replacement can finally pay off a Captain America lie 4 years after it was told in the MCU. Set to release in 2024, Marvel Zombies will be a limited 4-episode animated series featuring various Marvel heroes and villains as various survivors as well as the members of the undead. To that end, this may provide a rare opportunity for Red Guardian ahead of his next live-action appearance in 2025's Thunderbolts.

Set to effectively replace the Avengers, Marvel's Thunderbolts will debut a new team of more grounded...

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is fondly remembered for so many reasons. On the lighter side, it introduced us all to a valley-slang inspired dialect known as "Buffy speak" and gave us the enduringly heartwarming bonds between the members of the Scoobie Gang. But if "Buffy" was all jokes and wholesome fare, it wouldn't have become the cult hit it did, and it certainly wouldn't have gained a reputation for producing some of the best episodes of TV ever.

Just take a look at "The Body" from season 5. The episode opens with a one-take scene in which the titular slayer walks into her house to discover her mother's lifeless body laying on the couch. It's the episode show creator, "Avengers" director, and all-round prolific creative Joss Whedon considers the greatest thing he's ever done, and is also considered by many to be a standout moment in TV history generally.

But beyond...

Minor character deaths in the MCU often have major consequences, influencing major events and character arcs. Characters like Charlie Spencer and Akihiko may not have large roles, but their deaths have significant impacts on the narrative. Even small side characters like Battlestar and Heinrich Schäfer play pivotal roles in shaping the storyline and character development.

Since the beginning of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the franchise has seen the death of many minor characters, and some of them have proved hugely important within the context of the franchise's ongoing narrative. Across the many movies and TV shows of the MCU, the franchise has introduced countless minor characters who serve to enrich the fabric of the shared universe. Many of the characters in question are inconsequential in the grand scheme of the MCU’s story, but there are actually many occasions on which they have proven far more important than they initially seemed.

Superhero movies had entered something of a transitional period in 2007. Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man" run had reached an unplanned end with the tepidly received "Spider-Man 3," leaving Sony facing the daunting prospect of rebooting a franchise that still had plenty of box office juice (the third installment racked up the webslinger's highest worldwide gross to date). Bryan Singer whiffed badly on the hugely expensive "Superman Returns," forcing Warner Bros. to pin its DC Comics hopes almost exclusively on Christopher Nolan's forthcoming sequel to "Batman Begins" (which was a modest commercial success). 20th Century Fox's "Fantastic Four" grossed just enough to merit a sequel, while the future of the "X-Men" franchise rested solely on the yoked shoulders of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine.

And then there was Marvel Studios, which, after watching their most popular characters make billions for other companies, yearned to control the narrative destinies of the characters they hadn't sold off.

Quicksilver's new costume takes him back to his roots, showcasing his iconic lightning stripe and green color, as he celebrates 60 years since his introduction. Quicksilver's journey from villain to hero is reflected in his ever-changing costumes, each representing a different phase in his character arc. Quicksilver's new design honors his turbulent beginnings and highlights his connection with Scarlet Witch, while also hinting at unresolved issues with Magneto.

Quicksilver is one of the fastest heroes in the Marvel Universe – and often over the years, his look has been as sleek as his movements. He has hit every mark between villain and hero, invited ruin upon the world, and nearly pulled himself apart as he tried to put it together again. His life is riddled with major changes, but his newest costume takes him back to his roots – while still leaving room to grow.

Speaking with Aipt for X-Men Monday, writer...

Fan art of Brad Pitt as Captain America in the 90s showcases a fresh take on the character's classic suit. The MCU could introduce different versions of Captain America, such as an evil "Captain Hydra" played by Chris Evans. Sam Wilson as Captain America will continue to be the focus, with the possibility of other multiverse variants appearing in future MCU movies.

Brad Pitt becomes Captain America in stunning 90s Avengers fan art. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had two main versions of the star-spangled hero, with Chris Evans leading three Captain America movies and appearing at least in one project every year from 2011 to 2019 as Steve Rogers. Following Avengers: Endgame, Steve passed on his shield to Anthony Mackie's Sam Wilson, who will lead Captain America: Brave New World. Now, fan art depicts what it would have looked like if Pitt had become Captain America years before Evans did.

Iron Man's heroics in the Battle of New York showcase his daring and make it one of his most epic moments. Tony's reconciliation with his father in Avengers: Endgame brings a powerful and emotional touch to his character arc. The minor moment of Iron Man's incorruptibility in the face of Loki's scepter offers a classic and comical MCU Iron Man moment.

Throughout his time in the MCU, Iron Man proved himself one of the franchise's most popular characters by delivering multiple fan-pleasing moments. Introduced way back at the beginning of the MCU’s movie timeline, Iron Man undeniably served as the central hero of Phases 1 to 3 of the franchise. The legacy of Tony Stark within the MCU cannot be understated, as he helped form the Avengers, saved the world many times over, and invented many important technologies and innovations that continue to drive the franchise forward. He’s...

Wakanda's new leader, Shuri, may resort to more drastic measures to defend her nation, given her treacherous position and recent experiences with invasion. Shuri's technological prowess could lead to her own "Age of Ultron" story as she creates a machine for defense that ultimately backfires. Black Panther 3 may serve as a perfect ending to the trilogy, with significant events transpiring and Shuri potentially stepping down to make way for a new story.

Wakanda has been well-grounded in the MCU as an exceptionally technologically advanced nation, but Black Panther 3 could introduce its deadliest weapons yet. While Wakanda is a peaceful nation under its royal family, the events of the MCU has seen the nation mobilize its extensive army and Vibranium arsenal in the name of self-defense and the protection of Earth itself. This, of course, wouldn't have been the case if Erik Killmonger had his way before being killed by T'Challa,...

Daniel Brühl is open to returning as Baron Zemo in the McU's Thunderbolts movie if given the opportunity. Zemo could potentially be a late recruit to the Thunderbolts team, helping deal with the main antagonist, Sentry. It is unclear if more members will be added to the Thunderbolts team, and Zemo's potential presence is still a mystery.

With his ties to the team in the comics, Marvel Cinematic Universe actor Daniel Brühl speaks on whether Baron Helmut Zemo may take part in the Phase 5 movie, Thunderbolts. One of the big MCU movies coming up is Thunderbolts, which will finally adapt the morally gray team from page to screen. The Thunderbolts movie cast will consist of a mixture of MCU characters from past movies and TV shows to help serve as Marvel's own version of the Suicide Squad for the Avengers-based franchise.

Screen Rant recently interviewed Brühl for his new...

Daniel Brühl is curious to see how Kevin Feige reacts to his upcoming TV show, which is a commentary on superhero franchises. Brühl enjoyed exploring the sense of humor in his character Zemo and would be open to returning to the MCU. There are currently no plans for Zemo to appear in the upcoming Thunderbolts movie, but he could potentially have a role in future projects like Captain America: Brave New World.

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier actor Daniel Brühl is curious to find out how Kevin Feige reacts to his upcoming TV show, which is a commentary about superhero franchises like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. One of the characters to become a fan-favorite in the MCU is Baron Zemo, who made his debut in Captain America: Civil War before having a supporting role in The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Following his adventures in the Disney+ show, Zemo...

Loki's involvement with the Kang variant makes him a key player in the developing Multiverse Saga, potentially leading to his return in the Avengers 5 & 6 films. Marvel Studios should capitalize on Loki's success by considering a third season of the show, as it has been a standout for the studio and one of the McU's most popular characters. Loki's return could occur in Thor 5, providing closure for Thor's character and bringing the two brothers back together after an extended time apart.

Despite his fate in the Loki season 2 finale, there are still plenty of ways that Loki could return to the MCU. The God of Mischief has been a beloved character in the MCU since the early days of Phase 1. Originally playing a more villainous role, Loki has since shifted into an anti-villain. The finale of Loki season 2 gave Loki one of his most important character arcs to date,...

Yelena Belova, Black Widow's "sister," looks up to Wolverine and takes his advice seriously, potentially setting up a connection between the X-Men and the MCU. In the White Widow comic series, Yelena has become an assassin consultant and mentor, using her skills to train the next generation while also fighting against a nefarious corporation. Yelena's strong confidence, support for other women, and snarky personality could potentially tie the X-Men characters to the existing Avengers in future MCU films, especially with Deadpool 3 in production.

For all that Wolverine claims to be a lone wolf, he certainly has been a father figure to a lot of young female characters. In a recent flashback, Marvel revealed a new MCU star who thinks Logan is cool, and took some advice from him seriously: Black Widow's "sister," Yelena Belova. As the MCU pulls the X-Men into its orbit, and Deadpool 3 has marked...

Emma Frost upstages Iron Man and Captain America with a deadly new twist on their iconic tag-team move. Emma Frost's diamond form allows her to refract and control Iron Man's repulsor blasts, taking the move to new heights. The growing bond between Iron Man and Emma Frost is symbolized by their powerful "blast refraction" team attack.

Warning: Spoilers for The Invincible Iron Man (2022) #13 ahead!Iron Man and Captain America's iconic tag-team move of bouncing a repulsor blast off Cap's shield has just been upstaged by none other than Emma Frost. When the time comes for Emma and Tony to fight side-by-side, Emma's diamond body elevates this classic move to deadly new heights.

In Gerry Dugan and Juan Frigeri's The Invincible Iron Man (2023) #13, Iron Man, Emma Frost, and Eros launch into space to retrieve the rest of Krakoa's mysterium supply from Gameworld. Unfortunately, they arrive at the same time that a...

Iron Man's direct replacement, Ironheart, has a cleverly inverted origin story that sets her apart from Tony Stark and establishes her as her own hero. Tony Stark's journey as a hero was defined by making mistakes and atoning for them, while Riri Williams started out as a genuinely heroic person from the start. Ironheart's origins are characterized by bravery and compassion, creating an exciting and fresh future for her in the MCU.

Ever since Iron Man tragically sacrificed his life in Avengers: Endgame, the question of who would replace him has loomed over the MCU - and the answer offers a clever twist on Tony's backstory. As the former leader of the Avengers and a brilliant scientist credited with mastering nanotechnology and unlocking the secret to time travel, Tony Stark left great shoes to fill, and his influence can be felt all around the world. While there are multiple...

Tom Cruise gets imagined as the perfect replacement for Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in 90s Avengers fan art. Cruise was once close to playing Iron Man before Downey Jr. was cast, but the future could give him another chance. The Multiverse Saga in the MCU offers a potential opportunity for Cruise to play a different Iron Man from the multiverse in future movies like Armor Wars or Avengers: Secret Wars.

As part of a series of 90s Avengers fan art, Tom Cruise gets imagined as the perfect Iron Man replacement for Robert Downey Jr. There was a major rumor that Cruise was going to show up as the Superior Iron Man version of the character from the comics in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness — which did not happen. Despite Rdj having been the best possible casting for the character, delivering excellent performances in three Iron Man...

The 2008 movie adaptation of The Spirit failed to capture the legacy of the comic strip it was based on. The Spirit was hurt by numerous creative choices that disserviced two of its major Hollywood stars. Both The Spirit actors later found success as major characters in the better-received Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has featured several major stars, with many of these big-name celebrities reaching the zenith of their popularity through the shared universe of movies. Though the MCU was a big break for stars such as Tom Holland, Iman Vellani and others, other actors were already familiar faces in Hollywood. This included the talents that portrayed Nick Fury and Black Widow in the MCU, with the two previously starring in one of the most widely panned -- and hilarious -- comic book movies.

The Spirit was a 2008 movie directed by comic book legend Frank Miller, with Gabriel Macht...

The Avengers have faced many powerful villains in the MCU, ranging from minor threats like Ulysses Klaue and Baron Strucker to formidable foes like Loki and the Mad Titan Thanos. The status of the Avengers is currently unclear, but they will undoubtedly face even more formidable foes in the McU's Phase 6 and beyond. Several Avengers villains have gone on to become heroes themselves, including Pietro Maximoff's Quicksilver, Loki and Wanda Maximoff's powerful Scarlet Witch.

For over a decade, the world of the MCU has been protected by the Avengers, and the celebrity superhero team has thwarted the destructive plans of several formidable villains. Originally comprising Tony Stark's Iron Man, Steve Rogers' Captain America, Bruce Banner's Hulk, Natasha Romanoff's Black Widow, Thor and Clint Barton's Hawkeye, the Avengers first banded together in 2012's eponymous The Avengers to protect the Earth and avenge their fallen friend, Phil Coulson.

Quick Links Noh-Varr Could Redefine the Kree in the MCU Hulkling Can Explore the Kree and Skrull Tension in a New Way Dust Can Give Kamala Khan a Kindred Spirit Snowguard Could be an Inuit Poison Ivy Power Man Could Be the Young Avenger's Luke Cage Prodigy Could Be the Brains of the Young Avengers Sam Alexander Could Be the Young Avengers' Best Bodyguard Time-Displaced Cyclops Could Deviate from Fox's X-Men Franchise Franklin Richards Could Setup the McU's Fantastic Four Miles Morales Could Be Anti-Establishment With the Young Avengers

It's been some time since the Marvel Cinematic Universe dropped hints that the Young Avengers would be included in the movies and TV shows to come. The Marvels confirmed this was indeed the intended direction, with Kamala recruiting Kate Bishop. Kamala even mentioned that they should look at Cassie Lang, doubling down on the fact that the next generation of heroes was on the creative docket.

The Multiverse Saga in the Marvel Cinematic Universe might fumble in the end with the two-part finale in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars. The Phase 6 Avengers films might struggle to recreate the shock value of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame and may not be able to generate the same level of interest and investment from fans. The current heroes of the MCU have not received the same level of focus and development as the Original Six Avengers, which could make it harder for audiences to care about their stories and the upcoming Avengers films.

Following the conclusion of the Infinity Saga, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is slowly building towards its next major event. The event, as part of the Multiverse Saga, will revolve around Kang the Conqueror. The character has already made numerous appearances, and he's shown to be the multiverse's next big threat after Thanos.

Over the last 15 years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has continued to grow and expand in all sorts of new directions, whether that be with the introduction of new characters, the implementation of the multiverse, or even through the occasional use of time travel. Throughout almost all of this, there have been a handful of core heroes who have been at the center of it all. While Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark often gets the most attention, as 2008’s Iron Man was the film that started it all, another essential building block of the MCU has been the character of Bruce Banner / The Hulk, who was introduced that same year in The Incredible Hulk.

While 2008’s The Incredible Hulk is often one of the most forgotten MCU projects, specifically because the lead role was recast from Edward Norton to Mark Ruffalo after the release of that movie, it has become...

Wolverine's many children have inherited his deadly skills, with some of them even proving to be just as deadly, if not deadlier. The combination of powers from their father with iconic heroes or villains make them formidable threats, or heroes in their own right. Born in different realities, children like Wild Thing, Raze, and Rien show how Wolverine's powers can be upgraded beyond belief.

The world famous Wolverine may be famous as a loner, a drifter, and a man better off without romance, but the many children of Logan prove his deadly skills are too good to limit to just one generation. Especially when Wolverine's children turn out to be just as deadly, if not even deadlier than the X-Man.

Across the Marvel multiverse of alternate timelines and realities, Wolverine has fathered dozens of children with both heroes and villains. Some of those Logan children have risen to become heroes,...

Chris Evans was so well cast as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that it seemed like he was simply playing himself onscreen. He’s just another perfectly cast star in the franchise.

However, there were so many other actors who also wanted the part and put up a good fight for it!

The actor brought Steve Rogers to life on the big screen starting in 2011 with Captain America: The First Avenger. He seemingly bowed out almost a decade later with Avengers: Endgame.

But was that really the end for him? Chris addressed his future within the franchise during a new interview, revealing if he was really done with the role or if there was a possible return in his future.

Additionally, while he is now synonymous with the part, Chris initially turned it down. Who might have picked up the shield if he never agreed to lead the Avengers?...

Nebula and Happy Hogan take center stage in a closed door sneak preview of What If...? season 2.

Following an early press screening, Marvel's website officially dropped the synopses for What If...?'s upcoming season premiere and third episode, respectively. The premiere, titled "What If… Nebula Joined the Nova Corps?," envisions "a world where Ronan deposes Thanos long before the events of Infinity War," with Nebula becoming a member of the intergalactic police force and "desperate to escape her father's shadow, [as] she sets out to prove her detective chops." By contrast, episode three, "What If Happy Hogan Saved Christmas?," will see Iron Man 2 villain Justin Hammer lay "siege to Avengers Tower during the annual holiday party," forcing Hogan to thwart his plans but, "in setting out to prove his hero chops, Iron Man's errand boy may end up transforming himself in more ways than one."

Related Spider-Man and Scarlet Witch...

An innovative homage to Mc and Wu-Tang Clan co-founder Ol' Dirty Bastard that explores New York City's Five Boroughs like never before, the new graphic novel anthology Odb: Oddities, Discord, and B-Sides: Lyrical Ruckus in the City spotlights stories from some of the most talented artists and writers working today, with Ol' Dirty Bastard himself featured as the anthology's guide through the eerily unexpected and altogether enthralling sides of The Big Apple.

A collaboration between Lion Forge, Oni Press, and Four Screens that is officially authorized by Icelene Jones, Odb’s wife and administrator of the Estate of Odb, Odb: Oddities, Discord, and B-Sides: Lyrical Ruckus in the City is now on Kickstarter, and we have a look at preview pages from one of the anthology's chilling tales, and we've also been provided with an exclusive quote from Icelene Jones!

Below, you can check out preview pages from "Demon Flow...

Black Widow was terrified of Bruce Banner in 2012's The Avengers because she'd already met the Hulk. Tie-in materials reveal she was tailing Hulk during the events of 2008's The Incredible Hulk. Natasha was injured in the Hulk vs Abomination fight, explaining her deep fear of Banner.

It takes a lot to scare the unflappable secret agent known as the Black Widow, but in 2012's The Avengers she's undeniably terrified of Bruce Banner... because she's already seen first-hand what he can do as the Hulk. While the MCU characters formally met for the first time in The Avengers, they have a secret history in movie canon that deepens their connection.

In 2012's The Avengers, Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow tricks Bruce Banner into a situation where he's surrounded by Shield operatives, hoping to recruit him. Mark Ruffalo's Banner isn't happy, and pretends to lose his temper to scare the super-spy,...

Marvel writer Steve Orlando confirms that Marvel will debut a "Darkseid level" villain in 2024, indicating a threat of immense power. The villain is someone who has appeared before and faced off against one of Marvel's most iconic teams, with powers that touch all creation - the High Evolutionary and the Shadow King are obvious candidates. Scarlet Witch will be the first hero to take on this new threat.

Marvel writer Steve Orlando has revisited comments made in September about giving Marvel its own "Darkseid level" villain, confirming some key details about the upcoming threat. One of the most powerful and iconic villains in comics, Darkseid is a DC Comics character who inspired Thanos, and someone even Superman hesitates to anger.

In September, writer Steve Orlando took to X, answering fan questions. Orlando shared plans to give the Scarlet Witch a Darkseid level villain at some time in 2024.

I can only speak to books I wrote,...

A certain fight scene from Jujutsu Kaisen has sparked a conversation about whether Mappa is paying tribute to a beloved Hulk moment from The Avengers.

An X (formerly Twitter) user called Vin Kzuii (@kzuii) juxtaposed Hulk's famous takedown of Loki against a Jujutsu Kaisen scene in which Mahito repeatedly smashes Yuji into the ground. While the first Avengers film came out almost a decade ago, this iconic Hulk scene still holds a special place in the hearts of many Marvel fans. Before long, Kzuii's rather innocuous post had prompted several responses. Some fans appreciated the post, while others found it to be either inaccurate or unfair to Yuji.

Related Malaysian Government to Contact Jujutsu Kaisen Creator on Behalf of Kento Nanami The Malaysian government is set to reach out to Jujutsu Kaisen creator Gege Akutami for a special endorsement to do with Kento Nanami. Mahito is paying homage to Hulk...

‘Captain America’ Chris Evans Stayed Hungry During The Avengers’ Shawarma Scene To Maintain Continuity – Here’s Why ( Photo Credit – IMDb )

Many of us have grown up reading Marvel Comics and watching the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s films and shows, so getting to know some trivia about it is always interesting. Today, we bring you a trivia from the first film that saw Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) come together – The Avengers.

The trivia concerns the film’s post-credit scene where the six Avengers dine on some delicious shawarma after fighting the Chitauri army and saving New York from doom. Read on to know about it.

In Youtube Short shared by the channel HiGeekOfficial, with the caption, ‘The Shawarma Scene Secret: Captain America’s Prosthetic Jaw,’ the narrator explains why Chris Evans skipped...

Marvel Studios may recast Kang the Conqueror due to behind-the-scenes issues and the poor reception of Jonathan Majors' portrayal. This wouldn't be the first time the MCU recast a main villain, as they did so with Thanos in Phase 2. Thanos was initially played by Damion Poitier in a mid-credits scene before Josh Brolin took over for subsequent appearances, resulting in a visually noticeable recast.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe might be facing a Kang the Conqueror recast, but it wouldn’t be the first time a main villain has been recast in this universe. The MCU continues to expand with its Multiverse Saga and is preparing for its next crossover events in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, but it’s also going through some behind-the-scenes issues. After the failure of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, its villain Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), and Majors’ legal issues, Kang and...

While the possibility of Back to the Future 4 remains on the back burner, a fan of the titular sci-fi film franchise crafts an intriguing trailer of what the sequel could look like, with Spider-Man franchise star Tom Holland as a key cast member.

Via YouTube, Kh Studio released an edit of what a potential Back to the Future 4 would look like, featuring the film series' original stars, Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd as Marty McFly and Doc Brown respectively. Additionally, it features Holland as Jake McFly, the son of Marty and Jennifer McFly (Elizabeth Shue). The edit combines footage from Fox's 2019 Netflix sci-fi/adventure flick, See You Yesterday, and a Lego Dimensions promo, seeing Holland's character roam the streets as he's amazed by flying cars and other nuances he sees as he navigates different timelines.

Related Back to the Future Cast Reunites in Heartwarming Photo The cast of the...

Marvel Studios recently revealed its upcoming animated series projects, which include a previously unannounced Black Panther series, Eyes of Wakanda.

Marvel Studios announced Eyes of Wakanda at the screening of McU's upcoming What If...? Season 2 Disney+ series on The Walt Disney Studios lot. A surprise sizzle reel was shown to the attendees by the head of streaming, television, and animation for Marvel Studios, Brad Winderbaum, spotlighting the studio's upcoming animated series. The occasion marked Eyes of Wakanda's first-ever reveal, with a brief description of the Black Panther series reading, "Throughout Wakandan history, brave warriors have been tasked to travel the world retrieving dangerous vibranium artifacts. This is their story."

Related Why Deadpool 3 Being Marvel Studios' Sole 2024 Release Is a Good Thing As Disney shuffled release dates, Deadpool 3 became the only Marvel Studios film for 2024, a smart move to perhaps win back their aging audience.

Marvel Studios made...

Gen V star Lizze Broadway recently revealed that she would be interested in joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Speaking with Heroic Hollywood, Broadway revealed that, aside from The Boys Universe, she is obsessed with "the Marvel world with like Avengers and stuff," especially Iron Man. "Like I was into… I mean, like, Robert Downey Jr., hello, hi! I would love to be your daughter. Please adopt me," she joked. "My friend turned me into the Spider-Gwen, like in the comics with that. But other than that, I’ve been kinda in the Boys realm," Broadway added.

Related Anne Hathaway Speaks Out About Her Role in Defunct Spider-Man 4 Movie Hathaway reveals that the movie was scrapped before she had a chance to read the entire script.

When the topic of joining the MCU came up, Broadway stated she would jump at the chance even if it was intimidating at first.

The missing aspect in Hulk's character since Avengers: Endgame is his physical strength, which has been overshadowed by his intellectual abilities as Smart Hulk. Hulk's return in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars could fix this by showcasing his strength and making him a central character in the upcoming movies. The conflicts with Kang the Conqueror and Battleworld in Avengers: Secret Wars could provide the perfect opportunity to showcase Hulk's physical power and fix the mistake of downplaying it in the Smart Hulk storyline of the last four years in the MCU.

The character of the Hulk in the MCU has had one key ingredient missing from his story since 2019, something that Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars can fix. Since the Hulk's MCU origin story, the character has undergone several significant changes. 2012's The Avengers saw Edward Norton replaced by Mark Ruffalo. Since then, Ruffalo...

Jon Favreau's "Iron Man" and Louis Leterrier's "The Incredible Hulk" (both 2008) in many important ways weren't yet part of the then-nascent Marvel Cinematic Universe when they were first made. Favreau put in a post-credits stinger with Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury more as a wink to fans than as an announcement that larger film projects were afoot. Additionally, Downey's cameo in "Incredible" was treated equally casually, with the actors reportedly improvising their dialogue. It would only be until after Disney purchased the Marvel library in 2009 that plans for an MCU would be put into place in earnest. In many ways, then, it would be Favreau's "Iron Man 2" in 2010 that launched the MCU properly and put plans for an "Avengers" feature film into motion.

Of course, constructing a Marvel Cinematic Universe from the ground up required a new kind of filmmaking. Individual features now had to be...