Though the practice isn’t common in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, several characters make use of secret identities. Throughout the movies and TV shows of the MCU, the franchise has brought many aspects of its source material to life in live-action in an unprecedented way. One of the comic book staples that did not survive the translation to the screen was the idea of heroes using secret identities to maintain their anonymity.
Ever since Tony Stark first announced himself to the world as Iron Man at the start of the MCU’s movie timeline, the franchise has eschewed the notion of its heroes using aliases to protect their identities. However, as the franchise has continued to expand, there have been some MCU characters whose true identities have been protected for one reason or another, even if the practice isn’t widespread. With that in mind, here are 10 MCU characters who actually had secret identities.
10. Agatha Harkness Used A Secret Indenity To Fool Wanda
Wandavision (2021)
WandaVision’s approach to storytelling was decidedly innovative, using different formats in each episode to not only reference many eras of television sitcoms but also to veil the show’s central mystery as to exactly what was going on in Westview. It turned out to be the work of a grief-stricken Wanda, but it was also revealed that the Scarlet Witch had been manipulated by Agatha Harkness all along. What’s more, the show’s secret villain had also been using a secret identity throughout her appearances on the show.
Agatha used the name Agnes and was presented throughout WandaVision as Wanda and Vision’s neighbor. Part of Agatha’s manipulation was convincing Wanda that she was an ordinary neighbor, and as a result, Marvel also fooled WandaVision’s audience into believing her deceptions. Agatha kept her true identity hidden not just from Wanda, but from the MCU’s audience, too.
9. Michael Keaton’s Vulture Led A Double Life In The MCU
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
There have been many defining moments in Spider-Man’s MCU story, but his first solo encounter with a supervillain still ranks highly. Spider-Man: Homecoming’s villain, the Vulture, is presented in the MCU as a man who was able to salvage alien technology after the Battle of New York and used it to craft high-tech weapons and armor. In doing so, he was able to transform himself into a villain, while also harboring a grudge against Tony Stark and the Avengers.
The MCU’s Vulture carefully guards his civilian identity, leading a double life as a family man and a villain. Adrian Toomes’ villainous behaviors are later exposed by Spider-Man after Peter Parker encounters him in everyday life and while acting as a hero. Though his secret identity was uncovered in the MCU, Toomes was able to lead a double life for several years while maintaining his cover.
8. Bucky Barnes Spent Decades As The Winter Soldier
Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014)
The character of Bucky Barnes has made many MCU appearances, first appearing in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. While Barnes has since become a hero in the MCU, he was at one time a prominent villain, being brainwashed by Hydra into becoming a powerful assassin known as the Winter Soldier. During the decades he spent as Hydra’s secret weapon, his identity was kept under wraps.
Though it may not be a secret identity in the traditional sense, Bucky Barnes being the Winter Soldier still fits the bill. Bucky was presumed dead by the world at large after the events of The First Avenger, so it wasn’t until the world learned of his survival that his identity became known. It may not have been Bucky’s own choice, but Hydra forced him into a secret identity in order to make him their perfect weapon.
7. Taskmaster’s Secret Identity Was A Major MCU Reveal
Black Widow (2021)
In the comics, Taskmaster is the alias of Tony Masters, a human mutate with the uncanny ability to replicate the movements of anyone he sees. However, Taskmaster’s introduction to the MCU as part of Black Widow’s cast took creative license with the character, changing the villain’s backstory considerably. As such, Taskmaster’s true identity was unknown to audiences and the heroes of Black Widow until late in the movie.
The movie later reveals the MCU’s Taskmaster to be Antonia Dreykov, the daughter of the film’s main antagonist. Having been presumed dead after a botched attempt on Dreykov’s life, Antonia was instead transformed into Taskmaster, and her identity was closely guarded. In doing so, Black Widow made Taskmaster’s identity an MCU secret in order to protect the film’s late reveal, making her another character protected by an alias.
6. Teen’s Identity Is Kept Secret Through Magical Means
Agatha All Along (2024)
Introduced as part of the cast of Agatha All Along, Joe Locke’s character is not identified in the show’s earliest episodes. Known to others only as Teen, he is prevented from revealing his identity via a sigil hex. As his unknown identity is the result of magical intervention, it’s fair to say that it’s kept secret from his fellow characters.
Speculation ahead of Agatha All Along’s release was that Locke would play Billy Kaplan, also known as Wiccan in the comics. As his undisclosed identity is explored as the show’s story goes on, it’s safe to say that his true name is kept secret for a reason. As Teen’s hidden past is a key part of Agatha All Along’s story, the character becomes another example of the MCU using a secret identity for a prominent figure in a major release.
5. Whoever Bought Avengers Tower Has Kept Their Identity Secret
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)
Early entries into the MCU introduced Avengers Tower, the headquarters of the franchise’s foremost superhero team. The tower, initially owned by Tony Stark, was later retired from its use and sold on to another party. The Avengers moved on to a purpose-built facility in upstate New York, but who purchased Avengers Tower was kept a mystery.
Though the MCU has offered multiple hints at the identity of the owner of Avengers Tower, it survives as one of the franchise’s longest-running unanswered questions. Considering the character in question has made a point of acquiring one of the most prominent buildings in the entire MCU, it’s likely that their identity will be a significant reveal. However, at the time of writing, the true identity of the character who bought Avengers Tower remains a mystery within the MCU.
4. Ms Marvel’s Secret Identity Allows Her To Live A Normal Life
Ms Marvel (2022)
As she serves as one of the MCU’s most recognizable teen heroes, Ms Marvel is a key figure within the franchise. Her formal introduction to the MCU in 2022’s Ms. Marvel also brought key elements of her story to the franchise, while making some changes to her origins and the nature of her powers. However, one thing that did survive in the MCU’s version of the hero was her secret identity.
Ms Marvel’s civilian identity is that of Kamala Khan, a New Jersey teen with a particular fondness for the Avengers and Captain Marvel. Her acts of heroism after discovering her latent abilities see her become known as the hero Ms Marvel, but she does not make her identity publicly known. As such, she’s one of the few MCU heroes to maintain her secret identity, allowing her to live a normal adolescent life despite her extracurricular heroics.
3. Moon Knight Has Identities That Are Secret Even To Himself
Moon Knight (2022)
Moon Knight is a unique hero within the MCU, as he has identities that even appear to be secret from himself. First introduced in Moon Knight as Stephen Grant, the titular hero is shown living with dissociative identity disorder (DID), and Grant is later revealed to be one alter of Marc Spector. However, the final moments of Moon Knight season 1 unveil the existence of a secret third alter, Jake Lockley.
The fact that Marc Spector is living with DID means that he has many identities, or alters, and these distinct personalities all stem from severe childhood trauma. However, the complex manifestations of these alters ultimately mean that Marc is unaware of his third alter, who is the most violent and dangerous of all his identities. As such, Moon Knight possesses a secret identity of sorts, hidden amongst Marc Spector’s alters.
2. Daredevil’s Identity Is A Closely-Guarded Secret
Daredevil (2015)
First introduced in 2015’s Daredevil as part of Marvel’s collaboration with Netflix, Charlie Cox’s version of the Man Without Fear was retroactively introduced into the MCU. After being confirmed in the franchise with a cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home, he made his first full appearance in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. Throughout the run of Daredevil and the character’s subsequent appearances, the hero’s civilian identity is kept secret from all but his most trusted allies.
Keeping a secret identity is vital for Daredevil’s success in both of his lives. As he practices law by day at Matt Murdock, he would lose his livelihood if he revealed himself as Daredevil. Likewise, if his true identity were discovered, Daredevil’s enemies would better understand the nature of his abilities, as they are inherently linked to his loss of vision. As such, Daredevil is one of a select few MCU characters to use a secret identity in the traditional sense.
1. Spider-Man Paid A Huge Price To Keep His Secret Identity
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
The story of Spider-Man: No Way Home demonstrates what would happen to Peter Parker if the world discovered he was Spider-Man. The MCU’s Multiverse troubles begin after Parker convinces Strange to help him undo the damage from his cover being blown, resulting in multiple villains crossing over into the MCU’s main timeline. The film’s ending sees the hero understand that his anonymity is more important than even his closest relationships, which he forgoes to protect his secret.
Spider-Man is shown paying a huge price to keep his secret identity in the MCU, and for good reason. Knowing the danger it would cause to those around him and to the Multiverse in general, Peter Parker is unable to announce himself as Spider-Man. As a result, he’s perhaps the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s best example of a hero forced to keep his identity a secret.
