Have you ever looked back when Marvel Studios was only known for their Spider-Man, X-Men, Captain America, Thor, and Hulk? The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) started their big project to gather other less known characters, starting with Iron Man in 2008. Since that, they have introduced numerous names to be shown on screen, including now famous Dr. Strange and Ant-Man.
Appearing in the MCU is a stepping stone for the characters to be widely recognized, especially if they play a solo movie. The following names show how they receive a bunch of love from fans when shown in the MCU movie. Most of them even are hoped to have their own solo movie in the future. So, here are the 10 characters that we think are being helped by the MCU to get their fame:
10. Shuri
Shuri is the sister of T’Challa, the King of Wakanda, who appeared right on the first movie of Black Panther (2018). This character was created by Reginald Hudlin and artist John Romita Jr. in 2005. She is described as a technological genius who designs the outfits and weapons for her brother.
Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, involved in another MCU movies, Avengers: Infinity War. She took a big part in this movie storyline when she attempted to extract the Mind Stone from Vision from being taken by Thanos. She then also appeared in the recent Avengers: Endgame and projected to play in the upcoming Black Panther sequel.
Shuri is now can be said as upcoming important figure in the MCU. Most fans worldwide have fallen in love with her smart, powerful, and lovable character. Some of them even ask the MCU to produce her own solo movie.
9. Valkyrie
Valkyrie is originally based on Norse mythological figure Brynhildr, who was created by Roy Thomas and John Buscema in 1970. Would you believe that this character was created four years earlier than the better known Wolverine? She was previously known as Brunnhilde, an Asgardian warrior who was appointed by Odin, Thor’s father, to be a leader of Valkyrior.
Valkyrie, played by Tessa Thompson, made her debut on screen in Thor: Ragnarok (2017). In the movie, she flees from Asgard to work for the Grandmaster before returning to help Thor rescuing the Asgardians. Thor even appointed her the Queen of New Asgard. After the MCU trusted her again to play the recent Avengers: Endgame, it is worthy to wait for her biggest involvement in upcoming MCU movies.
8. Korg
You may have not heard this character before it was shown in Thor: Ragnarok (2017). This character, made by Greg Pak and artist Carlo Pagulayan, however already made his debut in comics book in 1962 in Incredible Hulk vol. 2 #93. He is a Kronan with a rock-like appearance who was defeated by Thor when he tried to invade Earth.
In the movie, Korg is one of the gladiators ruled by the Grandmaster to fight each other. Escaping with Thor and others, he then helps the rescue of Asgardians. This character later appears in Avengers: Endgame where he again being a helper in the fight against Thanos.
Being played directly by the Thor: Ragnarok director, Taika Waititi, Korg provides fans with senses of humor in a polite-speaking style. This portrayal made by the MCU made him take a spot for fans.
7. Yondu
Yondu, is described as the last survivor of his species and then among others founded Guardians of the Galaxy. He has blue skin and a large red fin on his head. This character is among other Guardians of the Galaxy characters that were created by Arnold Drake and Stan Lee in a conference in 1969.
Raised by the MCU in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), he was plot as the one who raised Peter Quill and played by Michael Rooker. This character surely won fans’ heart when he sacrificed himself to save Peter from his own biological father in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Even though he didn’t appear in the last Avengers sequels, his true love for Peter would make fans won’t forget him any time soon.
6. Groot
Groot is a tree-like character who gets his fame in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014). His first appearance though was in 1960, which is the oldest compared to other names in this list. Created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby, Groot was originally portrayed as an invader who wants to capture humans for his experiment.
Voiced by a famous Hollywood star, Vin Diesel, the MCU changed Groot’s character to be a soft-hearted figure. He even sacrificed himself in Guardians of the Galaxy to save the other team members. His famous last words in that scene, “We are Groot” and later his baby look has won many fans’ heart. The MCU then, like for most Guardians of Galaxy stars, has him played Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame.
5. Rocket
Another cartoonish Marvel character that gets his fame through the MCU is Rocket. Originally named Rocket Raccoon, he is created by writer Bill Mantlo and artist Keith Giffen in 1976. He is an expert marksman, weapon specialist, and master tactician.
Being on screen in Guardians of the Galaxy, he continues to play on other MCU movies, like the other team members. He also played a big part in Avengers: Endgame where he helps to get the Reality Stone. Voiced by Bradley Cooper, Rocket is loved for his mischievous acts and humorous jokes.
4. Nebula
Nebula is an adopted daughter of Thanos along with Gamora. This character appeared in 1985 created by Roger Stern and John Buscema. During her childhood, her mad father constantly put her into a fight with Gamora. Every time she lost, she had to cut her body parts and replaced them with cybernetic enhancements resulting in her now robotic appearance.
Played by Karen Gillan, Nebula started her appearance in the MCU in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and continued to play the next Guardians of the Galaxy, and the later two Avengers sequel. She got her big role in the latest movie where she helps to get back the Power Stone and constantly reminds the Avengers the appearance of Thanos through the time travel. Relating to her childhood suffering, it was right that the MCU gave her a big part in defeating her heartless father in Avengers: Endgame.
3. Gamora
Nebula’s foster sister, Gamora, is another character that gained her fame by the MCU. This character was created in 1975 by Jim Starlin, ten years earlier than Nebula. She was found by Thanos when he was annihilating her homeland. Thanos then adopted her and trained her to be an assassin, including to fight Nebula in the process.
Gamora was also put in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) by the MCU. She and her team successfully saved Xandar and later build a romantic relationship with Star-Lord. Because she is the adopted daughter of Thanos, she played a big role in Avengers: Infinity War where she was manipulated by Thanos to reveal the Soul Stone. Even though she died in that movie, she still played in Avengers: Endgame, time traveling with Thanos.
2. Thanos
Who doesn’t know Thanos now? He is the most powerful villain for Marvel heroes. Even though this character has long been created by Jim Starlin in 1973, he got his fame now just recently after being in the MCU movies.
Thanos actually has been shortly introduced in The Avengers (2012). But he got his main plot in Avengers: Infinity War where he wanted to collect six Infinity Stones to erase half of the universe. Fans were amazed by his power where he defeated and killed most of the Marvel heroes, the first time in the MCU the bad guy won. Even though the Avengers succeeded to turn back and killed him in Avengers: Endgame, he is a truly fearsome opponent for the MCU heroes.
1. Iron Man
Maybe you would not believe that the one who defeated Thanos in Avengers: Endgame , Iron Man, was once not so popular. The character created by Stan Lee in 1963 did not have a big name like Spider-Man or Captain America when the MCU made him as their first project in 2008. But this risky move was paid off and now he is the icon of the MCU.
Iron Man claimed his important position in the MCU where he involved in almost every next MCU movie. Played by Robert Downey Jr., he started from his own Iron Man sequel and then involved in Hulk, Captain America, and Spiderman movie, and of course in The Avengers sequel. Now with his last sacrifice in Avengers: Endgame, Iron Man is surely the idol for the MCU fans.