Split Image of Bob, Agents of HYDRA, Rick Jones, & Blindspot

After seven movies, eight TV shows, and two specials, Phase Four of the MCU has come to a close. While it grappled with the multiversal ramifications of the Avengers: Endgame event, it also pushed the franchise forward exponentially with a new generation of heroes. From the passing of the mantles to the deluge of newcomers, Phase Four saw many sidekicks rise up the ranks from their relegated roles in the comics. The best example of this is Wong, who was revealed to be the new Sorcerer Supreme and provided a strong connective tissue across many projects – hence the fan-made code name “Phase Wong.”


While the MCU has been highly consistent in incorporating sidekicks and prominent supporting characters early on, many are still waiting for their shot at the spotlight. Whether they’ve been hinted at already or are simply linked to existing and upcoming characters, some sidekicks stand the best chance at joining the MCU in the future.

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Rick Jones

Rick Jones sitting in a chair in Marvel Comics

Rick Jones has been the sidekick to many iconic Marvel heroes ever since his debut in 1962. Primarily, he’s associated with the Hulk, premiering alongside the green giant in The Incredible Hulk #1, but he’s also worked with Captain America, and two Captain Marvels – Mar-Vell and Genis-Vell, through an interesting connection with the Nega-Band. More importantly, he has been referenced as being part of the MCU. His name was included in the opening credit montage of The Incredible Hulk, stating that he was a student at Culver College where Bruce taught.

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Frankly, Rick Jones’ absence so far into the MCU is quite astounding, given his prominence throughout the comics. He does become a gamma mutate like the Hulk, becoming a blue behemoth named A-Bomb. While a new Hulk movie seems just as unlikely as ever (since Universal still holds his cinematic distribution rights for a solo film), Rick’s options aren’t limited. He could just be incorporated as part of the Hulk or Captain America’s storylines in Captain America: New World Order, a second season of She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, and/or futureAvengers films.

Gwen Stacy

An image of Gwen Stacy from the comics

Following Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker is all alone. He could use a good friend now that everyone’s forgotten who he is, and with the recent news that Tom Holland’s contract has reportedly been renewed for a new trilogy (via TheDirect), the opportunity is ripe to introduce one of his best partners, Gwen Stacy. Fans will remember that Emma Stone played her in Andrew Garfield’s The Amazing Spider-Man movies, or her superpowered variant from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, voiced by Hawkeye’s Hailee Steinfeld.

The biggest restriction for Gwen appearing in the MCU is that like Spider-Man, she is a Sony-owned character. While that hasn’t stopped the MCU before when it came to MJ Watson, Ned Leeds, or Spider-Man’s foes, Gwen Stacy is a unique case. As she becomes a web-slinging crime fighter herself, Sony might want to keep her to themselves for their own Spider-Man universe with the recently announced Silk: Spider Society. The same could be said for Miles Morales.

Nomad (Jack Monroe)

Jack Monroe standing with cards flying in front of him.

Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes are Captain America’s most recognized sidekicks, though he has many more in the comics. One of Captain America’s most enduring supporting characters is Nomad. Steve Rogers first used that moniker in the ‘70s when he wanted to operate as a hero outside the public constraints that come with the shield. However, the most prominent character to go by Nomad is Jack Monroe.

Jack spent time, serving alongside both Steve Rogers and William Burnside – who posed as Steve and Captain America in the 1950s – before effectively striking out on his own. Interestingly his inclusion in the MCU would fall in line with what The Falcon and the Winter Soldier accomplished in exploring some elements that aren’t typically shown in superhero stories, such as hate crimes and global services.

Jack Flag

Jack Flag looking behind him in Marvel comics

Now that Sam has taken up the shield as the new Captain America, he’ll need his own. Thankfully, there’s Joaquin Torres, played by Danny Ramirez in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, as the new Falcon in Captain America: New World Order. However, were they to add another, alternatively to the various Nomads, there’s also Demolition Man, Free Spirit, and Jack Flag to consider. The latter, Flag, presents the most interesting possibility.

He and his brother, Drake, were Captain America fans, and Jack took it upon himself to thwart a takeover by the Serpent Society, emulating his hero as Jack Flag. He was empowered unexpectedly by the villain, Mister Hyde – Quake’s father in Agents of SHIELD – granting Jack powers similar to Captain America, though not to the same degree. Jack also eventually becomes a member of the Guardians of the Galaxy, but that possibility in the MCU is drying up following Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3.

Bob, Agent of HYDRA

Bob, Agent of Hydra and Deadpool in a lineup from Marvel Comics.

Fans are excited for the X-Men to finally join the MCU, and it seems like Deadpool 3 is currently the best bet to do the deed. Along with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, perhaps Deadpool 3 or a future Deadpool film will incorporate his best-known partner, Bob, Agents of HYDRA. In Deadpool, Rob Hayter had a cameo as Bob, an old friend of Wade’s during the big climactic battle. However, in the MCU, he can actually come into his own as Deadpool’s bumbling sidekick.

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Bob would be pure comic relief, and while the MCU nor Deadpool isn’t lacking that, he’d still be a fun addition. He’s a commentary and somewhat pastiche of the incompetent nameless agents of evil organizations, like HYDRA or Star Wars’ Stormtroopers. He’s often cowardly and avoids a fight, which means he’s just the person Deadpool would delight to have by his side.

Caretaker

Caretaker from Marvel Comics holding a gun

Ghost Rider is one of the major supernatural heroes still missing from the MCU continuity – though the Spirit of Vengeance did appear in Agents of SHIELD – and one of his most interesting and prolific supporting characters is the Caretaker. In the comics, there have been two people who have taken up that role. The first is still unnamed, but the second is his granddaughter, Sara.

Both are members of the Blood, an ancient and secretly magical race of humans. They have some sort of control over the Ghost Rider transformation, being able to revert him to his human self. 2007’s Ghost Rider featured Sam Elliot as the Caretaker, merged with Carter Slade, the Wild West character, Phantom Rider. The best bet, however, is that the MCU would go with Sara primarily, though still showcasing her grandfather as part of her story.

Jean-Paul “Frenchie” Duchamp

Moon Knight and Frenchie in Marvel comics

An easter egg in Moon Knight referenced one of Marc Spector’s greatest allies in the comics, Jean-Paul “Frenchie” Duchamp. His name popped up on Marc’s phone hidden cleverly between all of Layla’s missed calls. While there’s no news that Moon Knight will return for a second season like Loki, fans are hopeful. At the very least, it would be strange if Oscar Isaac’s tenure as Moon Knight was a one-and-done gig.

Should he return to the larger MCU, Frenchie should come along for the ride too. He could be the suave friend who helps Moon Knight as his “guy in the chair” like Alfred for Batman, and should it come to it, he could still hold his own in the fight. Additionally, his inclusion would showcase another gay character, and it could delve into his feelings for Marc.

Hannibal King

Hannibal King panel in Marvel comics looking sinister

While it was pushed back nearly a year, Blade starring Mahershala Ali is among the most highly-anticipated projects of Phase Five. Besides Ali as the titular day-walking vampire hunter, there’s been little to no word about who else could be appearing. A logical inclusion would be his most recognized compatriot, Hannibal King – formerly played by Deadpool himself, Ryan Reynolds in Blade: Trinity.

RELATED: 9 Side Characters With Main Character Energy In The MCU

Like Blade, King is a vampire transformed by Deacon Frost and a member of the Midnight Sons. With the super strength, agility, and shapeshifting abilities that come with being a vampire and his skills as a detective and marksman, King would be a worthwhile ally. Whether in Blade or a future sequel, they could also introduce fellow vampire hunter and descendent of Dracula, Frank Drake, and the three of them could team up as the Nightstalkers.

Balder The Brave

Balder the Brave in the winter in Marvel Comics

While Thor: Love and Thunder ended with the opportune “Thor will return” tagline, the heroes’ future seems quite up in the air still. Hemsworth seems on his way out, yet there are still some major members of Thor’s family and fellow Asgardians waiting to join the MCU. Among them is Thor’s brother, Balder the Brave – who was reportedly included in an earlier version of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as a member of Earth-838’s Illuminati, played by Daniel Craig.

Balder would be a great addition to the MCU as, while he is logically associated with Thor and Loki, he could still strike out on his own. The grand opening of the multiverse would allow him to be introduced, whether still played by Craig or not, as Thor’s brother from an alternate universe – so as not to clash with the established lore of Earth-616.

Blindspot (Samuel Chung)

Blindspot holding a stick in Daredevil

With the return of Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio as Daredevil and Kingpin, respectively, from Daredevil, fans are hoping more characters from the Marvel-Netflix shows will return, too. In addition to them, Daredevil: Born Again could also introduce some other important street-level heroes such as White Tiger and/or Blindspot. The latter is the closest thing Daredevil has to a sidekick and would be a welcome sight as his story unfolds in the MCU.

Sam Chung, aka Blindspot, is an adept and agile fighter thanks to his upbringing, but he is made all the more dangerous as his suit grants him relative invisibility. Interestingly, in Iron Fist of all shows, a version of Sam Chung was featured, played by James C. Chen, so they could just have him reprise the role in the MCU.

MORE: The 10 Most Important MCU Characters Going Into Phase Five

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