These deep-cut Avengers heroes have what it takes to become the next generation of Marvel Cinematic Universe stars. While they might not have lived up to their full potential in the comics, these characters could redefine their roles in Marvel lore with strong turns in the MCU as part of a future line-up of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Following Avengers: Secret Wars, the MCU is expected to reboot. That’s likely to mean new versions of its classic A-list heroes, but it also provides ample opportunity to bring in forgotten figures from Avengers history.
The characters collected here could be cinematic gamechangers, taking their Marvel reputation up a notch in the process.
Captain Universe/Enigma Force
First Appearance: Micronauts #1 (1978); Latest Appearance: King In Black #5 (2021)
Captain Universe is the name given to the various hosts of the Enigma Force, a powerful cosmic entity that traces its origins back to the early days of the Marvel Universe. The Enigma Force has had a plethora of hosts over the years, including many iconic Marvel heroes, including Spider-Man, Hulk, Juggernaut, Deadpool, and more.
Captain Universe’s powers of cosmic awareness and ability to manipulate the very foundations of the cosmos would make them instantly the most powerful hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. And from a behind-the-scenes standpoint, the character offers an opportunity to learn a vital lesson from the first fifteen years of the MCU.
That is, Marvel is always going to cast strong, charismatic leads in its films. Yet their goal for the next generation of MCU heroes should be to make fans fall in love with the character, and their powers, rather than the performer portraying them. Captain Universe’s unfixed nature provides a natural chance to try.
Star Brand
First Appearance: Star Brand #1 (1986); Latest Appearance: Avengers Assemble Omega #1 (2023)
Star Brand is similar, in some respects, to Captain Universe. The Star Brand is a cosmic artifact which gives its wielders incredible superpowers. Like Captain Universe, the hero was an attempt to do something new on the part of Marvel, one that never fully caught on in the way that the publisher hoped.
Initially from a different continuity than the Marvel Universe entirely, Star Brand was eventually integrated into Marvel’s mainstream canon, and subsequently has been a member of several Avengers teams. The character has never been entirely forgotten by Marvel, but the company has never seemingly figured out quite what to do with them.
Among all but the most diehard Marvel fans, though, Star Brand is a certifiably obscure character. Yet, an incarnation of Star Brand could prove to be an unexpected success on screen, given the right performer in the role, and the right storyline to exhibit the character’s potential for high-octane superhero action.
Machine Man
First Appearance: 2001: A Space Odyssey #8 (1977); Latest Appearance: Red Hulk #5 (2025)
Machine Man is a Jack Kirby creation, who originated in an adaptation of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, before joining the Marvel Universe proper, where he has been a reliable ally of the Avengers, the X-Men, and other heroes over the years. Still, Machine Man has never quite made the leap to mainstream popularity that many of Kirby’s other characters have.
Still, Machine Man could finally get his due with an impactful MCU role. The character has worked closely with Red Hulk in several stories, including this year’s One World Under Doom crossover event. If Red Hulk has a future in the MCU, there’s a good chance Machine Man will get a shot at cinematic glory as well.
Living Lightning
First Appearance: Avengers West Coast #63 (1990); Latest Appearance: Astonishing Avengers Infinity Comic #28 (2025)
Living Lightning has been a tertiary part of the Avengers franchise for thirty-five years. As of this year, he is part of the cast of Astonishing Avengers Infinity Comic, a digital-exclusive series. That said, he is effectively a career-long Avenger, having started with the West Coast squad, before graduating to the main roster.
Living Lightning, or simply Lightning as he goes by these days, has a compelling backstory that MCU fans would be able to easily get invested in, which charts the classic trajectory from tragedy to heroic triumph. Further, Lightning is a queer hero, meaning he could bring some much-needed representation to the next era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Quake
First Appearance: Secret Wars #2 (2004); Latest Appearance: Force Works 2020 #3 (2020)
Daisy Johnson, better known as Quake, might not be a central figure in Marvel Comics now, but for a time starting in the mid-aughts, she was a significant factor in Marvel canon. As her name suggests, she has the ability to manipulate the ground surrounding her in order to stimulate earthquakes.
Quake’s popularity peaked with her inclusion in Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. TV show. The series made changes to her backstory that were later incorporated into the comics, but weren’t necessarily well-received by fans. This was the apex of her Marvel history, for now, but a pivotal MCU role could be the start of a major comeback.
Deathcry
First Appearance: Avengers #363 (1993); Latest Appearance: Chaos War: Dead Avengers #3 (2011)
Deathcry is a badass alien warrior, part of the Shi’ar race best known for its recurring role in X-Men lore. The daughter of frequent X-antagonist Deathbird, Deathcry was a more heroic alternative, but she never fully caught on as a Marvel hero. Less than twenty years after her debut, she was killed off, and has remained dead for nearly fifteen years since.
Death is easily circumventable in Marvel lore. When a character stays dead as long as Deathcry, that means they are something even worse than dead: defunct. Still, the character is there for the MCU to pluck from the shelf and do something exciting with, which would in turn rejuvenate her comic counterpart.
Hyperion
First Appearance: Avengers #69 (1969); Latest Appearance: The Avengers #30 (2025)
Hyperion is one of Marvel’s most powerful characters, and alongside the Sentry, he stands as the closest thing the Marvel Universe has to a Superman equivalent. As the MCU takes steps toward a reboot following the next two Avengers movies, Hyperion is high on fans’ list of characters expected to make an appearance in the future.
At times, Hyperion has been described as almost too powerful to exist in the Marvel Universe. Marvel has complicated his lore with several Multiversal variants of the character, and if the MCU were to draw on this for source material, the character could also double as an incredibly dangerous antagonist.
Black Knight
First Appearance: Avengers #47 (1967); Latest Appearance: Fantastic Four #28 (2025)
Unlike the rest of the characters listed here, Black Knight has already been introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Unfortunately, 2021’s Eternals film is regarded among the low points of the MCU, putting its characters’ film futures in jeopardy. Yet if one member of the cast could still make an impact, it would be Kit Harrington’s Black Knight.
Black Knight has been in the Avengers’ orbit for decades, and Harrington’s role in Eternals barely hints at his superhero potential, if at all. Notably, the character’s use of advance technology makes him a low-key potential Iron Man substitute for the MCU’s future. That might seem like a longshot now, but in the right cinematic context, Black Knight could thrive.
Other than a brief appearance alongside the Fantastic Four in early 2025, Black Knight has been largely dormant since starring in his own 2021 miniseries. Still, a compelling comic story, and a full-on MCU appearance as a key member of the Avengers, could be all it takes to kick off a golden era for this underrated character.
