The long history of Marvel movies means that there are several characters who deserve a chance to be redeemed before the end of the Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s Multiverse Saga. The movies of the MCU have introduced many Marvel heroes to the screen, but characters from the comics were also adapted to film before the franchise was created. In fact, even the years since the inception of the MCU have seen Marvel movie heroes appear, although they are rarely able to replicate the success of Marvel’s flagship franchise.

The MCU’s movie timeline has seen the establishment of the Multiverse, with Post-Endgame entries into the franchise exploring alternate realities and introducing many variants of existing characters and those from other franchises. Some of these have offered cameo returns for past Marvel movie heroes, offering a chance at redemption for missed opportunity castings or otherwise unfulfilled potential. With that in mind, here are 10 Marvel movie heroes who deserve an MCU chance before the Multiverse Saga ends.

10. Tom Hardy’s Venom

Last appeared: Venom: The Last Dance (2024)

The movies of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe made many missteps, but the franchise’s handling of Venom was one of its greatest successes. Tom Hardy’s dual performance as both Eddie Brock and the eponymous alien symbiote was one of the highlights of Venom and its sequels, with the character earning increased popularity as a result. The movies proved that the alien anti-hero and occasional Spider-Man nemesis can work brilliantly in live-action, and that Venom deserves a shot at the MCU.

Though the ending of Venom: The Last Dance saw the death of the character, a Multiversal resurrection is more than plausible. The greatest drawback of Venom’s movie trilogy was the lack of other Marvel characters, which would be easily remedied in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Considering the success of the Venom movies and the popularity of Hardy’s take on the character, Venom clearly deserves a full MCU appearance.

9. David Hasselhoff’s Nick Fury

Last appeared: Nick Fury: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. (1998)

Back in 1998, David Hasselhoff portrayed Nick Fury in a TV movie that was widely panned on all fronts. The movie was made at a time when Nick Fury was not a particularly well-known figure in the Marvel Universe, and before he was redesigned in the image of Samuel L. Jackson. Despite the poor reception to Hasselhoff’s Fury, seeing his return in the MCU could be particularly cathartic.

The Multiverse Saga has already brought back past versions of heroes that were not well-received. For example, Deadpool & Wolverine’s cast featured the return of Jennifer Garner’s Elektra, offering the character some form of big screen redemption. Hasselhoff’s return as Fury could make for an incredible Secret Wars cameo, and one that would serve as a fun nod to the actor’s ill-fated version of the character from the days before the MCU.

8. Ian McKellen’s Magneto

Last appeared: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

One of the best castings in the entirety of Fox’s X-Men movie franchise was Ian McKellen as Magneto. The actor first played the role in 2000’s X-Men, returning as Magneto on several occasions, including after Michael Fassbender was cast as his younger self for the prequel movies. McKellen’s Magneto was generally well-received, making his MCU return a logical inclusion before the end of the Multiverse Saga.

The depth of McKellen’s performance, combined with the comic accuracy of his casting, made his Magneto especially popular. Bringing McKellen back to play the role via the Multiverse would also make sense, especially as Patrick Stewart has already returned as Earth-838’s Professor X. Though a simple cameo would be more likely, the return of McKellen as Magneto in any capacity would almost certainly be welcomed by Marvel movie fans.

7. Angela Bassett’s Storm

Bassett Was A Fan Favorite Casting To Play Storm In Fox’s Franchise

Even long before the MCU’s casting rumors dominated the conversation, fans still had their own ideas about which actors would best fill certain Marvel roles on the big screen. One of the most popular fan castings ahead of the debut of Fox’s X-Men trilogy was Angela Bassett as Storm. The role ultimately went to Halle Berry, whose performance was met with mixed reactions, but seeing Bassett return to acknowledge her one-time fan casting would be perfect.

The MCU’s Multiverse has already set a precedent, with both John Krasinski appearing as Reed Richards and Channing Tatum as Gambit. Marvel have already shown that they are aware of fan castings, and that, on occasion, these will be paid off on-screen. Though Bassett previously played Queen Ramonda in the Black Panther movies, the character’s death would make her appearance as Storm seem even more plausible, and it would be an opportunity to deliver something that X-Men fans have wanted for decades.

6. Thomas Jane’s Punisher

Last appeared: The Punisher (2004)

The Punisher’s movie history is considered inconsistent at best, and abysmal at worst. That isn’t to say that there are no positives from the character’s past outings on the big screen, though previous attempts have failed to achieve either critical or commercial success. 2004’s iteration of Frank Castle, played by Thomas Jane, would secretly be an incredible choice to appear in the MCU.

Considering the mixed reception to Jane’s Punisher, fans aren’t hugely connected to the character. This makes bringing him back via the Multiverse could be a win-win situation, as his death wouldn’t spark outrage, but there would still be many fans eager to see his return. Though the character’s past big screen issues would indicate that a cameo might be far safer, there’s no doubt that bringing back Thomas Jane’s Punisher could be great.

5. Eric Bana’s Hulk

Last appeared: Hulk (2003)

As one of the franchise’s founding Avengers, Hulk has undergone huge development across the movies and TV shows of the MCU. Even though the MCU itself has already seen two versions of the Hulk, there’s another from the pre-MCU era that would be a prime candidate for a Multiverse Saga return. Ang Lee’s Hulk has become something of a cult classic, with Eric Bana’s Hulk standing out as a great choice for an MCU cameo.

Eric Bana’s Hulk was decidedly different in both looks and personality to the Hulk of the MCU, and seeing the two on-screen together could be an incredible sight. Though Bana’s turn as Hulk was hardly a resounding success, it still has many loyal fans who would undoubtedly like to see him return in the MCU. Bana is also another actor who could make a Multiverse Saga appearance as part of Avengers: Secret Wars.

4. James Marsden’s Cyclops

Last appeared: X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

There are many characters from throughout Fox’s X-Men timeline who have yet to make their return in the Multiverse Saga. Some stand out more than others, with James Marsden’s Cyclops seeming a slightly unorthodox choice for a Secret Wars appearance. The actor played Cyclops in the original X-Men trilogy, and briefly reprized the role in a cameo in X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Cyclops’ MCU return would be perfect for one reason alone: he deserves redemption. Marsden’s iteration of the character had heaps of unfulfilled potential, and also suffered one of the most disappointing deaths in the history of comic book movies. Though Marsden’s Cyclops return shouldn’t be permanent, bringing him back one final time in the MCU could be a perfect way to send him off before recasting the role for the franchise’s future.

3. Nicolas Cage’s Ghost Rider

Last appeared: Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance (2011)

When it comes to poorly-received pre-MCU Marvel movies, Ghost Rider is often cited as one of the most obvious examples. Despite an excellent cast, the 2007 movie – and its 2011 sequel – simply couldn’t deliver a satisfying adaptation of the titular character, leaving much to the imagination. However, a return in the MCU via the Multiverse Saga could offer redemption to Nicolas Cage’s version of the Spirit of Vengeance.

As one of the most famous actors in the world, Nicolas Cage could be a great addition to the MCU, particularly if he returned as Johnny Blaze. The development of CGI technology would only help offer a triumphant comeback for the hero, and seeing Cage’s Blaze get big-screen redemption alongside the heroes of the MCU would make for an epic cinematic moment. As one of the Marvel heroes with the most cinematic potential, Ghost Rider’s return in the Multiverse Saga could be truly unforgettable.

2. Emma Stone’s Gwen Stacy

Last appeared: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)

Emma Stone’s debut as Gwen Stacy didn’t come until four years after the advent of the MCU in 2012’s The Amazing Spider-Man. Appearing alongside Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man, Stone’s Stacy had massive screen presence, and stood out as one of the best characters in the two-film franchise. Though The Amazing Spider-Man 2 saw her die at the hands of the Green Goblin, Stone’s Gwen could be resurrected by the MCU’s Multiverse Saga.

As one of the most celebrated modern actors, Emma Stone’s MCU debut as Gwen Stacy could be huge. Considering the character’s alter-ego as Spider-Woman, Stone could step into the Multiverse Saga as a full hero, setting the variant apart from the supporting character she played in The Amazing Spider-Man franchise. Regardless of the specifics, Stone’s return as Gwen Stacy would be a hugely popular development for fans of the MCU, fans of her character, and fans of the actor.

1. Ben Affleck’s Daredevil

Last appeared: Daredevil (2003)

Though he was rumored to appear in Deadpool & Wolverine, Ben Affleck’s Daredevil was not featured in the movie. This means that Affleck hasn’t played the character since the critically panned Daredevil in 2003, making him a perfect candidate for a Multiversal return. The poor reaction to Affleck’s leather-clad version of the Man Without Fear would allow for an especially redemptive cameo, should the MCU opt to bring him back.

Though the MCU already has its Daredevil in the form of Charlie Cox, Affleck could return with a cameo in Avengers: Secret Wars. Seeing Affleck reprise the Marvel role even briefly would be a nice moment of fan service, and could poke fun at Daredevil’s terrible reputation. As such, bringing back Ben Affleck as Daredevil in the Marvel Cinematic Universe could be one of the best cameos in the Multiverse Saga.