Phase 4 of theMarvel Cinematic Universehas seen the multimedia franchise expand to new horizons. With this expansion comes the introduction of new characters into the previously-existing corners of theMarvelmovies. Many of these brand-new characters, however, are significant faces of the next generation of Marvel heroes.
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Among the potential Young Avengers already introduced in the MCU are Kate Bishop, Kid Loki, Ms. Marvel, America Chavez, Cassie Lang, Eli Bradley, and the Maximoff twins. However, there are plenty more teenage superheroes who have yet to appear in the MCU. These are some of the biggest that could still pop up in future installments.
8Iron Lad
It’s a bit of a cheat to say that MCU fans haven’t been introduced to Iron Lad yet. The character is vastly different from Riri Williams, who will be debuting as Ironheart inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. Iron Lad’s true identity is Nathaniel Richards, a descendant of the Fantastic Four’s Reed Richards who dons 40th-century neurokinetic armor.
However, Iron Lad’s future self has already made his MCU debut in Jonathan Majors' Kang the Conqueror.The variant of Kang who appears inLokiwas a scientist from Earth-616, while the Iron Lad was a variant from Earth-6311. With more Kang variants showing up in future movies, perhaps viewers will see a young actor portray the Iron Lad in the years to come.
7Prodigy
David Alleyne has been a member of many superhero teams, from the Young Avengers to the New Mutants Squad. As a mutant, his powers allow him to absorb the knowledge and abilities of anyone in his vicinity, making him a powerful ally for the X-Men. Going by the name Prodigy, it would be interesting to see a character like this join the MCU.
Prodigy is instrumental in joining the Young Avengers throughout their journeys in the multiverse. He’s also been a close ally of America Chavez, the dimension-jumping teen whodebuted inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Perhaps with Marvel’s introduction of mutants into the MCU, Prodigy’s on-screen appearance isn’t too far off.
6Marvel Boy
Noh-Varr is a young Kree soldier from Earth-200080. After becoming stranded in the multiverse, Noh-Varr found his way to Earth-616, where he became a target of S.H.I.E.L.D. Soon enough, the Kree was turned into a weapon of the government, being used against the Young Avengers during the superhuman civil war.
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Later adopting the name Marvel Boy, Noh-Varr grew close to the Young Avengers,particularly Kate Bishop. He even teamed up with them against the multidimensional parasite known as Mother. With the Kree playing an important role in the storyline of Carol Danvers, perhaps Noh-Varr will make his MCU debut in 2023’sThe Marvels.
5Vivian Vision
It’s unclear what the future holds for Vision, who was last seen leaving Westview afterrecalling his entire life inWandaVision. If the MCU follows the comics, it’s not long before Vision plays Scarlet Witch himself and creates his own family of synthezoids. One of those family members is his daughter, Vivian, who becomes an integral young superhero.
Following the collapse of her family, Vivian becomes a member of the teenage Avenger group known as the Champions, which includes Ms. Marvel herself, Kamala Khan. It’s possible that Vision’s delayed return to the MCU afterWandaVisionis to give him enough time to start his own synthezoid family, including the debut of Vivian.
4Hulkling
The Hulk family is already set to expand withthe upcoming Disney+ seriesShe-Hulk: Attorney-at-Law.One of the most significant Young Avengers is the Kree-Skrull shapeshifter Theodore Altman, who later adopts the superhero persona Hulkling. In fact, Hulkling’s introduction plays an important role in the story of another MCU character.
In Marvel Comics, Theodore starts up a romance with Wiccan, a.k.a. Billy Maximoff. Billy made his MCU debut alongside his brother Tommy inWandaVision, and multiversal variants of the two appeared inDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Hopefully, when Hulkling is introduced they get to adapt this LGBTQ storyline from the comics.
3Squirrel Girl
Squirrel Girl is one of the most popular Marvel Comics characters, for both her silliness and her canonical strength. Her real identity is Doreen Green, a girl born with the ability to communicate with squirrels. She becomes a massive fan of Tony Stark, and later helps the hero battle the iconic Fantastic Four villain Doctor Doom.
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Squirrel Girl’s victims in later comics include Abomination, M.O.D.O.K., and Thanos. She also becomes a member of teams such as the Great Lakes Avengers and the New Avengers. While it may be difficult to take a character like Squirrel Girl seriously in the MCU, her charm could be enough to win over fans who don’t know the comic character.
2Miles Morales
Technically, Miles Morales has made his on-screen debut inthe animated movieSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The character’s existence was also alluded to in a deleted scene fromSpider-Man: Homecoming, which featured Donald Glover as Miles’s uncle Aaron Davis. Sooner or later, the character’s MCU debut is bound to happen.
It would be particularly interesting to see Miles Morales interact with Peter Parker following the events ofSpider-Man: No Way Home. Since then, Peter is without a real family, so finding a brotherhood of Spider-Men and Women, even from other multiverses, would be a great future for everyone’s favorite web-slinging hero.
1Nova
Nova’s introduction into the MCU is long overdue at this point. The character’s origins were first established in2014’sGuardians of the Galaxywith the inclusion of the Nova Corps. When Sam Alexander debuted in Marvel Comics, he succeeded the role of Nova from his predecessor, Richard Rider, soon becoming an integral Avenger in the Marvel universe.
Rumors of a Nova project have circled for years, most recently surfacing as a Disney+ series focusing on Richard Rider. Hopefully, Sam Alexander can make an appearance as well, joining the Young Avengers who have already made their MCU debuts. It would also be a good chance to explore the planet of Xandar prior to their massacre by Thanos.
