In my part three of what has become a four part series, MaristPlayBoy continues to speculate on what Marvel Films is likely to do next. Today, he looks at some of the solo series that could come out in the next few years and how they could tie in to the Avengers.
Day One: Supporting Characters from Already Existing Franchises
Day Two: What Marvel Can’t Do
Predicting what properties Marvel Films hopes to establish next is a shot in the dark at best. There are many, MANY different directions in which Marvel can go to add new and interesting characters into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel Comics have existed since 1939; that means there are over 70 years of comic continuity that can be explored as they see fit, as well as the incredible multitude of characters that come along with it.
That being said, these characters can rather easily be divided into two different types: the headliners that can star in their own movie and hold their own, and the supporting characters that either need to exist in a team book or as an aid to another, already existing character. Both groups have incredibly valuable roles to play in forming a cohesive universe, but today’s article is going to focus on those solo stars who I believe deserve their own movie series and an invite to the Avengers team (I’ll look at potential team ideas on Sunday).
Just like Day One, I’m going to look at these characters using three criteria: Who they are, How they fit, and how likely Marvel will actually make a movie starring this character. I’ll also be adding a fourth category that has equal importance to the long run picture at Marvel: who else these characters bring in. Marvel will need to start franchises that open the door for more Avengers characters so that variety can exist and audiences will never get bored. Day One was a perfect example of just how many characters tie in to each other. Marvel has strength in its supporting cast of characters, and I’ve always appreciated how much the lesser-known characters are able to impress and find cult followings, so don’t underestimate how important bringing in others can be towards getting a movie green lit.
Well, I’ve taken enough time with that intro. Let’s get started:
(Actually, quick side note before we get started. Namor is awesome and definitely deserves his own movie. Given his role in the Marvel universe, I actually think such an event would be likely…if his fate wasn’t so unclear right now. See, Namor is a standalone character, but he also has a rather close association with the Fantastic Four. Marvel Films doesn’t own the rights to the Fantastic Four or the characters within that universe–the only reason the bad guys from the Avengers were the Chitauri and not the Skrulls–but whether Namor is considered a part of that package or not is incredibly complicated and will probably involve some lawyer business I can’t even begin to understand. Needless to say, he’d be on this list if I knew the movie was a possibility, but I don’t, so he’s not. Moving on)
Moon Knight
Who he is: Marc Spector is a trained heavyweight boxer, U.S. Marine, and professional mercenary who gets recruited to work for an African mercenary named Raoul Bushman in Egypt. While on the job, they come across an archeological dig that has uncovered a temple to the Egyptian moon good Khonshu, which Bushman believes contains a whole bunch of loot. He kills one of the members of the dig in cold blood, and Spector tries to take down Bushman…but fails. Left within an inch of his life, Khonshu decides to save Spector’s life and give him mystical powers that enhance his combat skills to superhuman levels depending on the lunar cycle, but in return, Spector must act as the god’s servant on earth. Spector gets revenge on Bushman, invests his mercenary money in the stock market, becomes rich, and fights crime with his insane fighting skills and gadgets, unlike that other superhero with a similar move set.
How he fits: Unsurprisingly, getting brought back to life by a moon god and having mystical powers running through your system doesn’t necessarily create the most stable human being of all time. Spector is almost completely nuts, developing multiple personalities (including those of heroes with whom he’s worked, like Iron Man). Combine that with the mysterious nature of his powers and you have a guy that NO ONE wants to trust…but also someone that you definitely want on your side when shit gets real. Watching other characters bounce off of him would be very fun to watch, and his mysterious nature is exactly the kind of thing that an Avengers 2 movie can bounce off of.
Who joins him: Nobody sadly. Of all the characters I plan on listing in this column, Moon Knight is by far the most likely to show up from another team movie (getting to that) instead of actually having his own film. He tends to work with upper tier characters only when he is needed, but in his solo series, he rarely has to call on anyone else. He prefers to work alone. Almost like that other character with a similar skill set I mentioned earlier.
Likelihood: Only in my dreams, most likely (though, to be fair, all of this seemed only possible in my dreams before it happened, so who knows). Moon Knight isn’t a very recognizable character despite his last ongoing selling pretty well and getting great reviews before getting cancelled, and it’s hard to deny that he is, in fact, a lot like Batman in his combat style and nature. There’s no way Moon Knight would get a movie while a successful Batman series like Christopher Nolan’s is fresh in people’s heads, and even then, he’d most likely have to be introduced in a team movie first. But IF he’s introduced in a team book and IF crowds seem to enjoy the character, there’s a chance he could have a prequel movie explaining his origins, or a trilogy that would likely end in his demise. Either way, it’s a long shot, at least in the short term.
Black Panther
Who he is: A long time ago, a very powerful meteorite landed near a small African nation called that gave them great wealth and allowed them to become an incredibly technologically advanced society. To protect themselves from those that would try to steal this valuable resource from them, the king of that time chose to hide his kingdom from the rest of the world. Many generations later, T’Challa, the next heir to the throne, sees his father killed and his uncle seize the throne. T’Challa undergoes several trials to prove his worth (he even takes out the Fantastic Four), and eventually earns the title of Black Panther as King of Wakanda.
How he fits: Besides the obvious pull that would come from having a powerful, independent minority superhero, Black Panther is simply one of the most badass heroes Marvel has to offer. In combat, the mystical herbs he is allowed to consume as the Black Panther gives him superhuman strength, reflexes, and agility, as well as an incredibly acute sense of smell (seriously, the guy can track just about anything while also keeping a catalog in his mind of over 10,000 unique scents). He also has access to a ton of mystical amulets and artifacts collected by his village over time, which gives him a ton of extra magical power when needed. And on top of all that, the guy is one of the eight smartest men in the world, making him one of the most inventive and resourceful men in the Marvel universe. Did I mention he’s also fiercely loyal and a perfect candidate for the Avengers? Just saying.
Who joins him: There are some side characters I don’t know much about (I haven’t read the series myself), but the most intriguing addition the Black Panther can bring to the Avengers continuity is the White Tiger. The White Tiger is the first hispanic superhero in the Marvel universe, using three Jade Tiger Amulets to turn into a superhuman fighter. He is led astray by a villain named Erik Killmonger (how can you NOT trust a name like that?) into impersonating the Black Panther, which obviously doesn’t end well. The two fight, realize who the truly bad guy is, and everything works out for the best. It’d be a fun movie to watch, it’d add another minority character to the Avengers, and it would further cement the importance of mystical artifacts in the Marvel Universe as a legitimate form of battle.
Likelihood: Very likely. In fact, I’d be rather shocked if a Black Panther movie wasn’t released in the next five years. The property has a lot of great ideas behind it, and the character is just fun to watch. Who doesn’t want to see an African King with mystical artifacts taking down bad guys? And that’s before one factors in the whole minority issue. Seems like a slam dunk to me.
Ant-Man
Who he is: The brilliant scientist known as Hank Pym discovers some strange subatomic molecules and creates a formula he believes will allow him to shrink down to the size of an ant while still maintaining his full strength. At first, he just uses his powers for scientific study and the protection of his projects, but when the father of his assistant and love interest Janet van Dyne is murdered, Pym takes on the identity of Ant-Man to avenge her father’s death. Over time, Pym also discovers other uses of his genetic alteration; he is able to grow to nearly 100 feet tall, making him effectively a giant. Depending on which skill he is using (big or small), he assumes a different identity, however, which leads to…
How he fits: Hank Pym is nuts. The man has an inferiority complex that dwarfs just about everyone alive. He changes his superhero name to Giant Man when he starts working for the Avengers because he feels inadequate next to Iron Man and Captain America. That kind of mentality is bound to affect team chemistry, and the effects of these interactions drives the guy towards even more mental issues. As he loses his mind, he ends up hitting Janet, now his wife, and proceeds in a downward spiral losing just about everything he holds dear. His extraordinary intellect, ability to shift sizes, and his bio-energy projection when shrunk down makes him a necessity on the Avengers, but his personality makes him a constant liability. He’s an absolutely perfect fit.
Who joins him: The obvious answer for this one is Janet, aka The Wasp, who is also able to shrink to microscopic size, but has wings that Hank attached to her that allow her to fly while in this form. She also has bio-energy projection and the ability to telepathically communicate with other insects, which can prove helpful. Their relationship is a big selling point here, as two Avengers members who end up together but in a consistently rocky relationship is going to cause tension. Especially if she starts hitting it off with one of the other members of the team.
Likelihood: Marvel’s been trying to make an Ant-Man movie since the Avengers project started (they even referenced him in Thor), but for various reasons, it hasn’t worked out yet. Reports say they’re closer than ever before, but that can mean just about anything. Assuming they can eventually get a script they like, we’ll definitely see an Ant-Man movie in the near future.
Doctor Strange
Who he is: If it isn’t already clear, not all superheroes are created equal. I mean, let’s be clear, Captain America is awesome, but there’s definitely a ceiling to his power that people like Iron Man can just blow past. Doctor Strange, however, can blow past them all, seen by many as equal in power to the cosmic entities, which in the Marvel universe are actual beings whose existence is necessary for the world’s survival. Yeah, he’s that powerful. An incredibly disciplined and devoted sorcerer, Doctor Strange is the Sorcerer Supreme, a master magician capable of just about anything as long as he has his artifacts with him. Combined with his incredible intellect, increased life span, and capable martial arts skills, and Doctor Strange is capable of a level of power that is nearly unmatched.
How he fits: This is probably self-explanatory, but any time you get the chance to add an incredibly powerful sorcerer to your roster, you should take it. Doctor Strange may have odd customs and habits, but if he joined the Avengers, his power alone would significantly increase the team’s chances for success. Whether he would want to help the Avengers or not is where the intriguing conflict comes in, as his need to protect his house and the artifacts inside it all but assures that he won’t want to leave, and there’s no real reason for him to care about most of their problems given his self sufficiency. That struggle to get him to cooperate makes him an interesting fit.
Who joins him: Any sorcerer or mystical superhero can be brought in with a connection to Doctor Strange, but the most intriguing combination involves Brother Voodoo. The Haitian sorcerer has the ability to manipulate smoke and fire, and he can use his magic to give himself superhuman strength. As his name implies, he also has voodoo powers, able to possess his enemies to take them out. In 2009, Brother Voodoo actually replaced Doctor Strange as Sorcerer Supreme, and the dynamic these two characters share competing against each other for supremacy would be incredibly fun to watch (magic battles for the win).
Likelihood: It looks like there’s a solid chance on this one. As the Ant-Man movie has shown, a lot of things can happen in pre-production, but there are rumors that this one’s still going through. Let’s hope the magical side of Marvel gets a chance to shine soon.
Shang-Chi
I’m not actually going to go into a full breakdown for Shang-Chi because he is probably best suited for a team appearance before he’d ever get his own movie (same group as Moon Knight, and YES, I’ll be explaining it very soon). I just felt a need to bring him up very quickly because he is awesome and has a decent chance of having a movie of his own at some point. Shang-Chi is a martial arts expert that is so good at his craft that he can stand up to the likes of Spider-Man and the Thing without superhuman powers. He’s just that good of a fighter.
There are two reasons I bring him up. First, there have been rumors of a Shang-Chi movie for some time now, though they’ve never amounted to much. Second, Marvel’s recently done a deal with a Chinese company that has opened the door for a movie like this to be made much more easily. Honestly, the only way a Shang-Chi movie would work is if it was filmed by people who truly knew what they were doing, and the Chinese film market makes movies like this better than most American companies do. Now that the doors are open, the chance is there, though again, I see other movies coming up first.
Iron Fist
And while I’m at it, I might as well throw up the final name on this list as well…
Luke Cage
Who they are: Daniel Rand has a very Bruce Wayne-esque beginning. His father, his mother, his father’s business partner that secretly has a crush on her, and Daniel are all traveling to the mystical city of K’un L’un when a sudden, but inevitable betrayal occurs. Both his father and mother die, and Daniel is left to be trained by the Thunderer, a martial arts expert from the mystical city. From him, Daniel learns the art of focusing his chi to greatly enhance his strength, reflexes, durability, sense experiences, and agility. He can even focus so much chi into his fist that it literally becomes unbreakable and punches as if his fist was made of iron (hence, Iron Fist).
Luke Cage, on the other hand, grew up on the streets of Harlem as a thug involved in street gangs. He soon realizes that what he’s doing is wrong and tries to get out, but his best friend Stryker manages to rise up the ranks instead, eventually pissing off some higher ups. Stryker’s girlfriend leaves him for the more stable Luke, and, as Stryker’s world is crumbling, he sees Luke as someone he can blame for all his misfortunes. Stryker frames Luke for heroin possession, sending him to jail. While in jail, he’s recruited for experimentation, and he emerges from prison with superhuman strength and stamina, bulletproof skin, and incredible durability.
How they fit and who they bring: Both of these guys deserve their own movie, but I grouped them together for a very particular reason. The two of them found Heroes for Hire Inc., a service in which people can recruit whatever superhuman they may need for a job…for a price. This creates a massive opportunity to introduce a whole bunch of fun characters into the Marvel movie universe like Spider-Woman and the Falcon, as well as Shang-Chi and Moon Knight from this list. There are a ton of characters that can join from this property (just look at that side bar. Just…whoa), and for that alone, as well as the dynamic that superhero mercenaries bring to the cinematic universe, starting these two franchises would be worth it. Each could stand on its own for a movie, then the two combine into a Heroes for Hire movie that would be the long-standing series. Everyone wins, especially Marvel’s pockets.
Likelihood: I’d be shocked if this didn’t happen at some point. A Luke Cage movie is all but a done deal at this point, given the amount of fan clamoring for it. Iron Fist is a slightly tougher sell, but Marvel has built up enough trust that I think a change of pace would still be embraced. Clearly, the Heroes for Hire movie needs to happen, but it will go much more smoothly if Luke Cage and Iron Fist can have successful introductions first, and I believe Marvel can get the job done.
Like my picks for future Marvel movies? Think I missed some big ones. Let me know in the comments below, or at @RedShirtCrew on Twitter. And don’t forget to come back on Sunday when I talk about the potential team movies that can tie into the Marvel movie universe. Until then, this is MaristPlayBoy signing out.
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