El Muerto. Hypno-Hustler. Jackpot. Together, they encompass a combined 27 issues of Marvel comics. Soon, they may also be the basis for three solo films in Sony’s Spider-Man Universe, with a shocking amount of A-List talent behind them. As strange is it may sound, Sony is seemingly fully prepared to shell out as much money as necessary to produce nearly any idea that’s thrown their way. So far, that strategy has had mixed results, but the essential anonymity of the projects they’ve lined up may actually give breathing room for some fairly creative and original films to be made. Their potential is enough to inspire thought towards the possibility of other future projects and the names that may bring them together.
To clarify, for any readers who may not know, Sony Pictures still holds the film distribution rights to Spider-Man and any character who made their debut in a Spider-Man comic. This includes villains, sidekicks, love interests, and everything ranging from a full-blown supporting character to a one-off cameo. If their first appearance was in a Spider-Man product, Sony can make a movie about them, and as it’s beginning to turn out, Sony probably will. The string of Spider-Man films released as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe were made as part of an agreement between Sony and Marvel Studios, and Marvel Studios can only continue making those Spider-Man movies as long as Sony allows them to do so. Venom, it’s sequel, and Morbius – along with the upcoming Kraven the Hunter and Madame Web – are strictly Sony projects and, as such, not part of the MCU.
The idea here is to pitch film concepts for Sony’s Spider-Man Universe that fall in line with Sony’s recently-established formula. A character most people have never heard of, a way more famous creative behind-the-scenes, and a lead that makes sense but also feels like they should be doing something else. If anything, perhaps this can serve as inspiration for an actual movie sometime down the line. Let’s begin.
MAN MOUNTAIN MARKO, dir. Robert Rodriguez
Starring:Zac Efron, Harvey Keitel
The tragic tale of a simple bodybuilder whose thirst for power consumes him. Michael Marko, known as the “Man Mountain”, is a low-IQ thug living on the streets of New York. His name meant to be ironic, Marko is constantly bullied and made to do favors for the gangs around him. It’s his only form of survival, until the day he’s pushed too far. Michael vows to become a mountain of a man, and finds an opportunity in the employ of Silvio Silvermane and the Maggia crime family. Marko is manipulated into undergoing genetic experimentation, with his body growing to unthinkable sizes. From there, the film follows his mental descent into criminality and desperate rise to power – a deconstruction of society and a unique look into the mind of a man obsessed.
Robert Rodriguez would be the perfect man to bring this story to life, mixing the gritty surrealism of Sin City with the violent despair of his Mexico trilogy. Zac Efron could be the face of Marko, bringing an accurate physique to a role that could test his acting chops. As for Silvermane, only Harvey Keitel is fit to play the role. His resume is tailor-made for an elderly, abusive, smooth-talking crime boss. Just take a look at Taxi Driver, as any respectable filmmaker should.
ROCKET RACER: BIG WHEEL, dir. F. Gary Grey
Starring: Caleb McLaughlin, Jeremy Strong, Michael Chernus
A high-octane thrill ride through the mean streets of Brooklyn, and a parallel story demonstrating key differences in the United States’ socio-economic hierarchy. Robert Farrell, a scientific prodigy confined by the limitations of his poor upbringing, finds himself responsible for the well-being of his six younger siblings when his single mother falls ill. Realizing the legitimate route won’t be enough, he combines his technological talent with an inner need-for-speed to construct a super-powered skateboard and become the Rocket Racer – a small-time thief with big-time talent.
Elsewhere, Jackson Wheele is a wealthy, talentless business man embezzling money from his company. When it becomes clear he may soon be found out, he offers the Rocket Racer a hefty sum of cash to erase all evidence of his crimes. Instead, Robert uses the information to blackmail Wheele, angrily belittling him for the part he plays in systematic oppression and referring to him as a “Big Wheele”. In turn, an embarrassed Wheele contacts a black market weapons technician known as The Tinkerer, and asks him to construct a suit that nobody – not even the Rocket Racer – can intimidate him in. Something larger than Robert’s skateboard. The Big Wheel.
A clash of ideology ensues, with the lead roles played by Caleb McLaughlin and Jeremy Strong. The Stranger Things breakout, with his youthful energy and dramatic acting chops, is perfect for the role of Robert Farrell, while Succession star Jeremy Strong is the embodiment of entitled, villainous businessman. Chemistry between the two has the potential to be unmatched, and become a comic book movie rivalry for the ages. As for The Tinkerer, who also has ties to Farrell, Michael Chernus is primed to reprise his role from Spider-Man: Homecoming, further connecting the Sony Universe with the MCU after his former associate, Vulture, transitioned between the two in Morbius. As for director, F. Gary Grey proved he could handle vehicular combat with The Fate of the Furious, and demonstrated his Oscar-worthy attention to character work in Straight Outta Compton. A match made in heaven.
STYX & STONE, dir. Henry Selick
Starring: Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key
A dark, twisted, animated tale from the mind behind The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline. Gerald Stone, a scientist working for a new state-of-the-art medical firm, is looking for the cure to cancer. The problem is, his new treatment – which posits that controlled exposure to the disease will result in human immunity – will never be approved for testing. So, in a moment of agony-inducing hopelessness, he begins offering criminally-low amounts of money to the homeless of New York to act as test subjects. Jacob Eichorn, a former family man now down-on-his-luck, volunteers in the hopes that a successful outcome will make him a hero to his estranged children. Alas, the highly-experimental treatment instead transforms Jacob into a living cancer. Now a walking monster with a knack for killing anything he touches, Eichorn takes the name “Styx” and succumbs to his own madness.
Feeling guilty for this tragic turn of events, Stone dedicates the rest of his life to finding a cure and keeping Styx alive. He constructs a rock-like suit that enables him to survive in the presence of Eichorn, and the two retreat into the shadows in search of a better life. They’re only convinced to return years later, and use their newfound powers for good, when the mysterious Cult of Entropy begin using Stone’s old treatment to drain the life of innocents across New York.
A tale of overcoming past sins, told via the signature twisted stop-motion style of the maestro Henry Selick, Styx & Stone would be the perfect thematic follow-up to Netflix’s Wendell & Wild, with the added bonus of being set in the Marvel Universe. Jordan Peele and Keegan-Michael Key, who only seem to reunite for animated projects these days, are the only duo who could accurately portray the dark humor and intense grief experienced by the two leads, returning to work with Selick after starring in his last film. They would, of course, be optioned to reprise their voice roles as CGI versions of the title characters should Sony choose to include them in any future live-action team-ups.
CODENAME: WARRANT, dir. Ben Affleck
Starring: John David Washington, Boyd Holbrook, Timothy Olyphant
New York City has a rat problem, and only one man has the warrant to clean it up. Gray Garrison is a mercenary-for-hire, and one of the deadliest in the game. He’s prone to violent outbursts, fits of rage, and never taking hostages, but his mean exterior is hiding a past full of abuse. Raised by an alcoholic mother and an absent father, Gray became the target of a local skinhead group at a young age, and only survived his childhood by learning how to claw back. Now, as an adult, he’s a secret government weapon, augmented with cybernetic enhancements he uses to perform the United States’ dirty work as the only agent of Warrant, INC. – a bounty hunting agency the country can hire without responsibility. His handler, Mr. Reynard, is the closest thing Gray has to family, even if he’s never truly been able to trust him.
Garrison’s latest assignment becomes personal, and forces him to confront demons he thought long deceased, when he’s hired to hunt and kill “Vermin”, a human-sized rat creature terrorizing New Yorkers from the depths of the city’s sewage system. A briefing reveals Vermin as Edward Whelan, Gray’s former skinhead tormentor who fell in league with surviving members of the Third Reich, whose geneticists accidentally transformed him into a monster while trying to create their own perfect Aryan symbol. It will take everything Garrison has to defeat Vermin, and come to terms with his heartbreaking origin.
Ben Affleck has been looking for a new project to direct for quite some time, and after a few attempts at working with Warner Bros., it may be time for him to jump ship and head towards Sony. His work on films like Argo and The Town show he excels at high-tensity action-thrillers, and Live by Night proves he knows how to handle a protagonist who lives in a Gray area. John David Washington, an up-and-coming star in his own right, would be smart to nab his own superhero franchise before it’s too late, and clearly has the chops to bring a complicated character like Warrant to life. Timothy Olyphant would slide in organically as Mr. Reynard, his likable-yet-off-putting handler. Boyd Holbrook, always adept at putting a charming twist on detestable antagonists, has the proper look and feel to play Whelan, and won’t be afraid to commit to the motion capture performance necessary to create Vermin.
THE WISP, dir. Sam Mendes
Starring: Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Eiza Gonzalez, Hugh Grant
The dawn comes over the silent hills, And calls to the winds of morn; The stars grow pale, and the sun cries, ‘Hail!’ To the shadowy fields forlorn; And good-bye, good-bye, to the Will-o’-the-Wisp, Who dies when the day is born!
“The Will O’ The Wisp”, by Annie Campbell
Dr. Jacqueline Arvad is perhaps the most gifted electromagnetic researcher in her field, and she’s close to a breakthrough in electromagnetism. Unfortunately, she’s trapped working for an opportunistic, misogynistic boss – Jonas Harrow – who constantly takes credit for her work to become the star of the London branch of The Life Foundation. With essentially no credit to her name, Arvad is always under the pressure of being let go, and works incredibly long hours to compensate for her bold ideas. As a result, after multiple days without sleep, Arvad blacks out in her lab just before an absurd laboratory accident causes an eruption in her experimental new electromagnetic field. Jacqueline is caught in the blast, which weakens the attraction between molecules in her body and allows her to manipulate the density of her body. When Harrow learns of the accident, he assumes Arvad has died, and takes the remnants of her studies as his own.
With her newfound abilities, Arvad embarks on a journey of self-discovery, advancing her own knowledge of electromagnetism and coming into a fresh sense of empowerment. She struggles with balancing her former ideals with the reality of her situation, eventually using her matter-altering powers to take what she feels she deserves, something she had never felt able to accomplish before. Tired of seeing Harrow bath in the glory of her intelligence on television, she devises a plan to infiltrate the high-security Life Foundation facility and assassinate him quietly, leaving behind documents that prove herself as the mind behind the Life Foundation’s recent successes. Things become complicated, however, when she bumps into someone else trying to infiltrate Life; Jacinda Rodriguez, the legendary thief known as Tarantula. The two develop a romance as Jacinda, an honorable criminal, convinces Jacqueline of her worth and potential, reciting a poem that persuades her to take on a new identity.
Films like Revolutionary Road and Away We Go show Sam Mendes‘ ability to direct quirky romantic-dramas, and his recent work on Skyfall and 1917 are indicators of his skill with high-stakes action. Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who could also help contribute to the script, is a natural with complex characters, and her screenwriting talent would go a long way in making The Wisp a believable expose on workplace inequality. Eiza Gonzalez, who has been searching for a major superhero role since Bloodshot flopped, feels born to play Tarantula, while Hugh Grant is due for a grimy turn as the film’s villain.
Following July’s pre-SDCC update to the hypothetical calendar, we thought we were done in 2023, yet here we are with another updated version which will definitely be the last one…right? But as you’ll see, Marvel Studios’ 2023 slate looks quite a bit different than it did pre-SDCC.
*NOTE* we are no longer tracking animated projects nor including them on the hypothetical calendars.
This project went from “it may never get made” to “it’s a D+ project” to being the project that kicks off Phase 5 for Marvel Studios and introduces the Multiverse Saga’s big bad in Jonathan Major‘s Kang the Conqueror. Or at least one version of him. “One of the best scripts Marvel’s ever had.” “A huge movie for the saga.” Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania looks likely to catch the majority of even the most hardcore Marvel Studios’ fans by surprise and as predicted in the last version, Marvel is hyping this one up well ahead of schedule.
We’d previously thought Secret Invasion might kickoff 2023 and Phase 5, but Kevin Feige slated this one for “Spring” at SDCC ’22 and we’re not arguing with the One-Above-All. The paranoia-heavy spy thriller is being labeled as a “crossover event” by Marvel Studios and is supposed to lay the groundwork for Don Cheadle‘s Armor War film which is currently undated.
A first look at the film finally arrived and the trailer has fans wondering which characters are going to survive the emotionally-charged final film in James Gunn‘s Guardians trilogy. While it’s the end of this group’s journey, we actually expect most of the team to come out alive, but permanently changed.
The second season of Loki is shaping up to be nearly as wild of a ride as the first. Some fairly major spoilers have, unfortunately, made their way around the internet but fortunately (and as is often the case) they lack context and completeness so there’s still plenty to be surprised by when this one streams on D+ next Summer.
Footage of The Marvels was shown exclusively to D23 and it looked like an absolute trip! Tonally, The Marvels seems as different as The Winter Soldier was from The First Avenger or as Ragnarok was from The Dark World. Both of those tonal shifts resulted in incredibly successful sequels and this film really looks to have a chance to follow that trend.
Like The Marvels, footage from Ironheart screened at D23 and it looked fantastic. All the rumors of the science vs. magic showdown of Riri Williams and The Hood turned out to be true and the decision to involve Riri in the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever means audiences will be much more likely to tune in for the next chapter of her story.
For nearly two years, fans of the MCU took to social media to voice their concern that Marvel Studios’ post-Infinity Saga era lacked direction. Those criticisms seemed misplaced at the time (imagine pretending to know that Thanos was coming following 2011’s Thor) but once Kevin Feige rolled out the first look at the Multiverse Saga at SDCC ’22, they became completely irrelevant. Feige’s ambitious plan for the new saga included another double-dip of Avengers films among the current total of 13 unreleased films (expect Spidey 4 to join that number eventually).
Even with the One-Above-All’s plan laid out in plain sight, it’s still a bit hard to see how the MCU gets from here to there. After all, at this point in the Multiverse Saga, only a handful of projects have been…Multiversal. So which projects in Phases 5 and 6 are shaping up to be the most important on the road to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty? Here’s our best guess…
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania
This one isn’t much of a guess as it’s all but confirmed to lead directly to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. But how? Our best guess is that the events of Quantumania won’t actually result in Kang getting turned loose into the world just yet. Why not? Because there’s just too much story to get through between Quantumania and The Kang Dynasty to have Kang running about all willy-nilly in the MCU for 2 years. What Quantumania can and will do, however, is establish Kang the Conqueror as a major threat to the Multiverse and it might also serve as the Multiverse Saga’s “Thanos is coming” moment. Whichever members of the Ant-Family make it out of the Quantum Realm will surely relay their knowledge of the villain to whoever it is that makes up the new team of Avengers. Sounds like it’s going to be Cassie Lang’s turn to follow in her father’s footsteps and make up for a big mistake…
Loki, Season 2
Season 2 of Loki both is and is not exactly what you think it is. As details about the villain of the series start to trickle out, fans are starting to put together some pretty great theories about what might happen…but most of those theories get off to a false start. Though Season 1 lead writer Michael Waldron is off working on Avengers: Secret Wars, Eric Martin (who did a great deal of work on Season 1), took the lead. The continuity from Season 1 to Season 2 is going to pay major dividends as Season 2 picks up directly where Season 1 left off. It’s just that Season 1 didn’t leave off in the way many believe it did. Season 2 will also deal with the now out-of-control Multiverse and see Sylvie faced with the consequences of the choice she made when she shanked He Who Remains. He warned her. She didn’t listen. What happens when she finds out just how bad it’s gotten? Finally, Season 2 looks to include Jonathan Majors‘ Kang. Is he the same Kang as the one in Quantumania? Has he escaped from the Quantum Realm or is this before he became trapped there? Is he a new Variant? Season 2’s gonna be a trip.
The Marvels
It’s likely that every project in Phases 5 and 6 will have something that is ultimately somehow related to one or both of the Avengers’ films in the Multiverse Saga. Whether it be plot points, character developments or threads left hanging, most of the projects will tie into them one way or another. The big rumor for The Marvels is that it will actually delve pretty heavily into the idea of incursions that was introduced in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. That’s a pretty important bit as Reed Richard’s explanation of what they are might not have given the entire picture, but just what he knew about them at the time.
Captain America: New World Order
Don’t expect Kang to pop in here or for a world-ending incursion to happen in the first act. Do expect this to be the first global-level story of the Multiverse Saga and for it to clarify some details that have been fairly casually thrown into different Phase 4 projects. The Sokovia Accord were established in Captain America: Civil War and the Avengers spent an entire movie fighting over them; those same accords were casually revealed to have been repealed in one line of dialogue spoken by Matt Murdock in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. So what happens when there’s something worth fighting over now? The present-day MCU has no Avengers. But they’ll need some in 2025 otherwise calling it Avengers: The Kang Dynasty would be pretty silly. Will the New Avengers be formed during this movie? Or will this movie be the pivot point for the Multiverse Saga in that it will make it clear that the time has come for the New Avengers to come together?
Deadpool and Wolverine
Hugh Jackman‘s revelation that whatever this movie is called will involve time travel all but confirms that it will be an incursion-fest. I actually love the idea of Deadpool causing a whole mess of incursions that accelerate the destruction of the Multiverse. He’s not a serious character who should be trying to face off against Kang, but it is in keeping with the character that his actions, as noble as he may think they are, would create a major mess that others would have to clean up. If this film becomes the adaptation of Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe which has been theorized here and there, it would be a wonderful way to build a true, all-inclusive Multiverse while capitalizing on Ryan Reynolds‘ popularity and love for Deadpool.
Fantastic Four
It’s hard to imagine a Fantastic Four film taking place in the MCU that doesn’t somehow connect to the Multiverse Saga. The current rumblings around the plot point toward it shaping up to be a little Cosmic in nature and to involve the Silver Surfer. Of course, at this point in the game, there’s no context for what his purpose in the film might be. Whatever the case, he’s certainly no villain but one of his comic book powers might serve an interesting purpose in Fantastic Four. When gifted with the Power Cosmic by Galactus, the Cosmic Wanderer gained Cosmic Awareness. This power allowed him to sense things about the universe that others couldn’t. He could perceive changes in energy in the universe and determine the location of said changes. If the 616 reality were in some jeopardy through an incursion, it’s incredibly likely that the Surfer would know about it first. From there it’s not much of a…stretch…to think he might find himself working with one of the smartest people on the planet to determine the nature of the incursion. From there it follows that Reed might create a device that would allow him to peer into other realities to see if they’re in similar danger. From there it’s possible he might meet other Reeds. Having a plan for dealing with incursions and/or Kang would seem like a pretty major deal. Could an evil Reed be the villain here? Another version of Kang, such as Immortus? Too many unknowns at the moment, but if Marvel Studios wants to set this apart from Fox’s efforts with the First Family, this would do the trick.
Shang-Chi 2
The rumored title of Shang-Chi and The Wreckage of Time opens up some fascinating possibilities for the sequel to 2021’s Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings. More importantly, it also established one of Marvel Studios’ newest heroes as one of the key figures in the Multiverse Saga. The Wreckage of Time would seem to point directly at Kang’s involvement in this movie and, as indicated earlier, he still has to get out of the Quantum Realm somehow. I still think this movie takes place before Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, though the current slate does not show that. I’ve been asking for a Shang-Chi and Ms. Marvel team-up and this could be it. Theories that those two characters have weapons that are ultimately a major part of the Multiverse Saga might be on to something, but instead of them being part of taking down Kang, what if they somehow end up being part of how he’s freed from the Quantum Realm. Just because Kang can’t get out doesn’t mean he might now have allies on the outside. Once freed from the Quantum Realm, Kang would certainly be at liberty to do some serious damage to the timestream.
Is Nomad even happening?! There’s still no official word on the project that we first reported was in the works over 2 years ago, but it really is…right? Is it a TV series? A film? Nobody seems to know but if it were a film about Steve Rogers’ time returning the Infinity Stones, it could turn into an incursion-palooza that, much like Deadpool and Wolverine, could speed up the timeline toward Avengers: Secret Wars. As detailed here, a guy like Steve Rogers visiting these other timelines could be a way worse idea than you’d think. If he chose to right some minor wrong while he was in each of those alternate timelines (as nicely detailed in the image from MCU Exchange), this project could serve as the ultimate connecting piece between Marvel Studios’ two Sagas and show fans just how time messes back, as Tony Stark warned.
It’s not exactly the Yellow-Brick Road, but these projects could easily set the stage for the events of The Kang Dynasty. How does the story go from there to Secret Wars? Stay tuned, True Believers…
As first presented at SDCC ’22 (and remains unchanged as far as anyone knows), Phase 6 begins with Fantastic Four and ends with Avengers: Secret Wars. The “SDCC Slate” contained 5 films beginning in November 2024 and ending in November 2025. 2025 was set to be a monster year with two Avengers films releasing within 6 months of one another with one other untitled film releasing between them.
Then came a delay to Blade, the shift of the date of Deadpool and Wolverine from February 2024 to November 2024, Fantastic Four from November 2024 to February 2025 and the move of Avengers: Secret Wars into 2026. The sum certainly looks to be greater than the total of its parts in this case. When placed side-by-side, it becomes clear that the “New Slate” not only stepped into Phase 7 territory but by doing so also added one film to the Phase 6 slate and put two films worth of storytelling between Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, creating a three film gap between them now.
At this point, Marvel Studios has several theatrical projects at varying stages of development though only two of those have been officially acknowledged by the studio. What films should fill that three-film gap between Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars and why? We have thoughts…
For the purpose of this exercise, the most recently updated Marvel Studios slate will be treated as it is “locked-in.” Thinking and speculating about projects four years away from release is tough going because the reality is that the most recent slate will change again, maybe multiple times, before Phase 6 wraps up the Multiverse Saga. However, for simplicity’s sake, this article is working within the slate as it currently stands. Under those conditions, here’s our best guess:
Shang-Chi 2
Theories about the true nature of Shang-Chi’s rings have always been interesting, but following the trailer for Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania and the undeniable similarity they share with some of Kang the Conqueror’s gear, the game has really changed. Shang-Chi has always been primed to be a major part of the Multiverse Saga, but with Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton now on board to helm Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, it stands to reason Shang-Chi, and his rings, might play a much larger role in the Saga then originally imagined. The first film left the origin of the rings intentionally vague and an upcoming animated series is rumored to connect some dots between the rings, Kamala’s bangle and more. That series, which is being overseen by Todd Harris and potentially directed by Brian Kesinger, revolves around a secret society of earthbound aliens who scour the world for a series of powerful and influential artifacts. The rings are certainly just those types of artifacts and it’s possible that the aliens trying to find them are either affiliated with or working against Kang. Whatever the case, Shang-Chi’s a major player, the sequel is announced and seems like it absolutely must come out ahead of Secret Wars.
Armor Wars
Armor Wars has been part of Marvel Studios’ plans for the Multiverse Saga since before fans knew there was a Multiverse Saga. First announced in 2020 at Disney’s Investor Day, Armor Wars was originallydeveloped as a streaming series before shifting gears and becoming a feature film. If the series was planned to be in the Multiverse Saga, it would stand to reason that the film will be too, especially given its close ties to Secret Invasion.
Nomad
We’ve always had Nomad as a streaming series, so this represents a major shift in thinking though nobody seems to know what to expect of it. However, the best “Nomad” story Marvel Studios could tell would be one following Chris Evans‘ Steve Rogers as he returned the Infinity Stones to their respective timelines. As explained by Reed Richards in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, an incursion can be caused when people travel between multiverses and alter that reality more than the allowable margin for error. If that’s true, that sweet sendoff for Steve and the end of Avengers: Endgame looks like it might be a pretty major problem now that He Who Remains is no longer around to protect the timeline. Could a Nomad feature film center on Steve’s journey to the other timelines where it’s revealed he actually caused multiple incursions?
It’s not out of the realm of possibilities. As Steve told Tony, when he sees a situation pointed south, he can’t ignore it. Could little acts of do-gooderism during his visits to the timelines from which the Infinity Stones were borrowed actually end up accelerating the incursion process and speeding up the timeline to Secret Wars? It’s hard to say because not enough is currently known about what incursions are truly all about in the MCU, but if Evans is truly back for a pair of projects as reported, it’s hard to imagine that one of them is really just about him riding a motorcycle around the countryside and helping people change flat tires. Not with Secret Wars looming…
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer foreign to the general public. If you’re reading this article because you clicked the link on Twitter, you likely came across at least one AI-based creation on your social media feeds in the past month. Integrating AI into our daily lives is becoming increasingly common in various industries, including entertainment.
AI has been heavily used in the entertainment industry in the production of visual effects. In recent years, AI algorithms have been employed to generate complex visual effects in television shows, such as The Mandalorian. In this series, AI technology was used to recreate the highly realistic image of a young Luke Skywalker and synthesize his voice with great detail. While some see the use of AI in the entertainment industry as a valuable tool that can enhance the creative process and revolutionize visual effects production, others worry about the potential displacement of “traditional” production methods and the loss of jobs for those working in the industry.
Does History Repeat Itself?
Some people have drawn comparisons between the use of AI in the entertainment industry and two significant technological developments in the past: sound and CGI. In the 1920s, filmmakers and actors were concerned that introducing sound would make actors obsolete, as audiences were accustomed to focusing on physical gestures and facial expressions. Similarly, in the 1990s, the emergence of CGI led to concerns that practical effects in cinema would be replaced by computer-generated imagery and actors would be replaced by computer-generated characters.
However, using AI in the entertainment industry is a different matter entirely. While it may be a helpful tool, it is not necessarily “necessary.” It can be used as an excuse for major studios to replace human labor with algorithms, as it is often cheaper. This is not a far-fetched possibility, as we have seen reports of companies such as Warner seeking to reduce their tax expenses.
The poor performance of projects like Facebook Metaverse and the NFT craze of the early 2020s suggests that our current obsession with AI may be detrimental due to an overreliance on technology and a belief in its ability to solve all problems. This can lead to a lack of critical thinking and neglect of necessary ethical considerations. Fortunately, directors like Christopher Nolan and Damien Leone are pushing back against this trend and promoting practical effects to enhance the viewing experience and make moviegoers fall in love again with practical effects.
It is up to the entertainment industry and its stakeholders to ensure that AI adoption is done responsibly and ethically, considering the values and concerns of all parties involved. Ultimately, the role of AI in the entertainment industry will depend on how it is used and the priorities of those who implement it.
Weeks after ascending to the top of DC Studios, James Gunn made a major statement about the future of the DC Universe when he announced that he was writing a treatment for an all-new Superman film. Gunn’s project, which he may ultimately direct, has no ties to Henry Cavill‘s Man of Steel or the Snyderverse and should be a signal to fans about the direction of the newly minted studio. Superman is a priority for DC Studios and by taking it on himself to write the script, Gunn is making sure his vision is the one that defines the character.
Telling a good Superman story isn’t easy in the 2020s which means Gunn’s taking a lot of responsibility in his new role as co-chair. If fans don’t respond well to the new project, Gunn will take the heat. That’s a long way off, however, as the script is obviously just being developed now but that doesn’t mean that Gunn hasn’t had Superman on his mind for quite some time. In fact, he’s been very vocal about his love for and interest in the character over the last several years and has come close to either developing a Superman or Superman-adjacent property more than once! Here’s a look, albeit a brief one, at Gunn’s love of Superman.
For Gunn, it likely all started in 1978 when, as a 12-year-old, he saw Richard Donner‘s Superman at a theater in Des Peres, Missourri. Gunn called Superman a “great movie” that “rivaled Star Wars” for him and, in a 2021 interview, credited it with getting him “really excited about the genre.”
Before becoming the driving creative force behind Marvel Studios Guardians of the Galaxy, Gunn wrote and directed 2010’s Super, a black comedy about a hero with no super powers which may or may not be a part of a cinematic universe where the “evil Superman” character from Brightburn exists, but even while he was tied up at Marvel, he remained a fan of Superman. In a long Twitter thread from 2016, Gunn made it clear that he enjoyed 2013’s Man of Steel despite some of his criticism about how it portrayed the hero, citing a lack of empathy as an issue.
Gunn has always kept up a major presence on social media and in 2016 during a live Facebook Q&A, he was asked who would win in a fight between Hulk and Superman. At the time, Gunn was very much believed to be one of the architects of the future of Marvel Studios, making his response a bit surprising.
Hulk vs Superman, who wins? Probably Superman, right?“He’s much more powerful than Hulk.
James Gunn via Radio Times
In 2017, after congratulating Zachary Levi for landing the lead role in Shazam!, Gunn was besieged on social media by fans for even mentioning a DC property. His response was pretty epic as he urged fans to drop the “Marvel vs. DC” mentality.
Every time I mention anything DC, no matter what, my feed becomes an endless screaming match about BvS. You guys are never going to convince each other – it’s just a bunch of wasted energy. At least when you’re screaming at each other about Trump, it’s something of international importance. But it’s a 2 year old movie that some people like and some people don’t. Why is someone else’s opinion so important to you? As Marvel and DC super fans you have way more in common with each other than you do with the rest of the world. So why do you spend so much time raging at each other? It’s silly. Please just stop it. Stop engaging in that way.
James Gunn
Less than a year later, Gunn had been fired from Marvel and hired by the old guard at DC to direct The Suicide Squad. Interestingly enough, before moving forward on The SuicideSquad, Gunn had his pick of projects including a Superman film that he turned down. Gunn also indicated that while he ultimately chose not to direct it, he briefly considered a project centered around Superman’s dog, Krypto. Though he passed on the Superman project, Gunn later revealed that he nearly ended up including the character in The Suicide Squad…as the bad guy until he settled on Starro.
I thought that was a very interesting story. But when I came up with Starro…he’s a character I loved from the comics. I think he’s a perfect comic book character because he’s absolutely ludicrous, but he’s also very scary in his own way … He used to scare the crap out of me when I was a child, putting those facehuggers on Superman and Batman and stuff. So, I thought he was one of the major DC villains that was probably never gonna be put into another movie. And if they did, they would do it like the ‘black cloud’ version of Starro — not a giant, walking starfish that’s a kaiju, that is bright-pink and cerulean blue. Just a ridiculously bright bad guy.
James Gunn via Script Apart Podcast
It’s safe to say that Superman, and the state of DC’s films, has been on Gunn’s mind for some time now. In that sense, it’s no surprise that he’s decided to make the character a priority in his early days as the co-chair after seeing him mostly sidelined by the previous regime. It looks like Gunn is going all in on that character as one of the building blocks of the DC Universe and given his love for the character, fans should look for a return to the character’s roots as a symbol of pure goodness and hope.
With Phase 4 behind us and the start of Phase 5 right around the corner, fans are just starting to see the big picture of the Multiverse Saga. As of now, a dozen known films stand between fans and the end of the ongoing saga. Here’s the scoop on all 12.
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania February 17, 2023
Written by Jeff Loveness Directred by Peyton Reed
A big-budget, universe-altering Ant-Man movie is probably a thing a lot of fans thought they’d never see, but that’s exactly what the third film in the franchise will be, according to executive producer Stephen Broussard who says Quantumania will “be big and feel central to the future of the MCU.” After being transported to the Quantum Realm through a device built by Kathryn Newton‘s Cassie, the Ant-Family will find themselves navigating their way through the strange land which Broussard warns is “full of people and characters and worlds and politics and history.” The first trailer for the film introduces a few of those characters including Jonathan Majors‘ Kang the Conqueror, Bill Murray‘s Krylar and some other key inhabitants of the Quantum Realm but held back on revealing one of the film’s most over-the-top choices: the classic comic villain M.O.D.O.K.!
As Broussard says, Quantumania’s plot is central to the ongoing Multiverse Saga. Writer Jeff Loveness put together an incredible script and then moved on to write Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, so you can be sure there’s significant connectivity between the two films. For a film that was once thought to be in danger of not being made or of being turned into a streaming series, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania certainly has an awful lot going for it.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 May 5, 2023
Written and directed by James Gunn
James Gunn‘s last project for Marvel Studios will undoubtedly leave fans in tears next Summer. It’s the last go-round for this group of characters and the film will see the death of at least one of the team’s original crew and a significantly different-looking future for the rest. The film’s plot will revolve around the unspooling of Rocket’s origins which seems to dictate a trip to Counter-Earth where the team runs into the High Evolutionary. That trip is rumored to be the result of a run-in with Will Poulter‘s Adam Warlock, who was seen throwing a beating on Nebula in the film’s first trailer.
While the film marks the end of the road for this group of heroes and for Gunn’s time with them, there’s certainly going to be room for Cosmic heroes beyond this movie. Who will be on the team and who will put it together? And what will the future hold for those who stay?
The Marvels July 28, 2023
Written by Megan McDonnell Directed by Nia DaCosta
While ostensibly a sequel to Captain Marvel, it could also be a sequel to Ms. Marvel and WandaVision as well. The Marvels looks to be as tonally different from Captain Marvel as Captain America: The Winter Soldier was from Captain America: The First Avenger. Director Nia DaCosta has said she had a great time working with stars Brie Larson, Iman Vellani and Teyonah Parris and the footage screened at D23 would certainly seem to support that claim.
The film will include some wild body-swapping as Carol, Kamala and Monica switch places with one another as seen in the post-credit scene to Ms. Marvel. That’s all tied to the Kree villain played by Zawe Ashton, who finds herself in possession of an artifact that looks strikingly similar to Kamala Khan’s bangle. A good portion of the film will also take place in space and see Carol revisit Hala as well as introduce a few new locations. There are also some pretty interesting theories out there about how these artifacts might be either Nega or Quantum bands and how they might just play into the Avengers’ battle against Kang, so this film won’t be without its Multiverse Saga tie-ins.
Captain America: New World Order May 3, 2024
Written by Dalan Musson and Malcolm Spellman Directed by Julius Onah
At this point, this sounds like the craziest film on Marvel Studios 2024 slate and maybe one of the crazier films they’ve ever put together. The return on Tim Blake Nelson‘s Samuel Sterns/The Leader is just the tip of the iceberg. Harrison Ford is joining the MCU as Thaddeus Ross and rumors point to the long-awaited Red Hulk transformation finally happening. There are also rumors that Adamantium will be central to the film’s plot, which may also include Super Soldier-research again which makes one wonder if Weapons Plus will reemerge from the shadows. The project is also set to introduce a “Marvel mainstay” to the MCU and is rumored to be another key project along the way to the rumored World War Hulk film making Sam Wilson’s first big screen adventure as Captain America an incredibly important Phase 5 film.
Thunderbolts July 26, 2024
Written by Eric Pearson Directed by Jake Schreier
The latest rumors about this film indicate that it’s getting a rewrite and that an “evil Superman” plays a key role. If the aforementioned reemergence of Weapons Plus happens in Captain America: New World Order, that “evil Superman” might just turn out to be Sentry and that would make for either one wild ride or one ultra-nerfed character. The team that was rolled out at D23 was very Super Soldier and spy-heavy and would be shredded by a comic book-accurate Sentry. Fan theories continue to swirl that Zemo and Abomination are “secret” members of the team or that that, like in The Suicide Squad, there’s a second team of Tbolts in the mix. It doesn’t seem like any of those things were true in the early drafts for the project, but who knows what a rewrite might fix?!
Blade September 6, 2024
Written by Michael Starrbury Directed by Yann Demange
Obviously this one has had some issues, but Marvel Studios feels good about the new direction in which it’s headed. Earlier versions of the project didn’t have quite enough action for a vampire-hunting film and the hope is that the new version of the project will feel a bit more like those great, old Tomb of Dracula comics than anything.
Untitled Deadpool and Wolverine Film November 8, 2024
Written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick Directed by Shawn Levy
This project went from one nobody could quite figure out to one that is starting to sound like it may be the most “Multiversal” project of the Multiverse Saga. Theories continue to center on the film being an adaptation of Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe and rumors about the inclusion of Owen Wilson‘s Mobius and the rest of the TVA playing a role make it sound like this will be the Incursion-heavy movie fans thought Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness would be. At this rate, it seems like the film will be trimming all kinds of branches ahead of Avengers: Secret Wars.
Fantastic Four February 14, 2025
Written by Jeff Kaplan and Ian Springer Directed by Matt Shakman
Fantastic Four has been gestating way too long at Marvel Studios, but it looks like it’s back on track and it sounds as though it’s going to make a splash. Rumors of the Silver Surfer appearing and of a Multiversal Council of Reeds persist, making this one a pretty big mover and shaker for the future of the Multiverse Saga. It’s also just the beginning of what should shape up to be a decade of stories about Marvel’s First Family, so taking their time on this one is essential.
Avengers: The Kang Dynasty May 2, 2025
Written by Jeff Loveness Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton
Is the rumored title of Shang-Chi and The Wreckage of Time legit? If so, it would seem to indicate that Jonathan Majors might play a role in this sequel as well as another Variant of Nathaniel Richards? Introducing Immortus into the mix would make Avengers: Secret Wars even more interesting…
But truly, nothing is known about this movie at the moment, not even if that title is correct or if it’ll land before or after Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
Armor Wars TBD
Written by Yassir Lester
Originally intended to be a streaming series, Armor Wars will now turn out to be Don Cheadle’s debut as a leading man in the MCU after having been around forever! This one has ties to Secret Invasion but could it also have ties to the events of Captain America: New World Order? Given that it’s coming pretty late in the Multiverse Saga, it may have lasting implications beyond it and if those Adamantium rumors are true, that precious metal might play into this film. Remember that the MCU doesn’t do one-for-one adaptations of comics, so while this is called Armor Wars, don’t expect it to follow the template from the 1980s arc.
Avengers: Secret Wars May 1, 2026
Written by Michael Waldron
The capstone of the Multiverse Saga and what will undoubtedly be the most epic event of Marvel Studios long history, Avengers: Secret Wars is sure to work, in part, as a reunion of sorts for some of great icons of Marvel’s cinematic history. Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr. Scarlett Johansson, Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield have all been rumored to appear already and more names will be added to the list in the next 3+ years. It’s also very likely that this film will set the table for whatever the next great Saga will be in the MCU and that one will come bearing mutants.
As Hollywood gets ready to go on break, James Gunn and Peter Safran‘s initial vision for the first wave of DC Studios film in the all-new DC Universe has been communicated with the big bosses at Warner Bros. Discovery. Since then Gunn revealed that a Superman film, written by him, will be a top priority for the new studio while indicating that he and Safran plan to share part of the new slate with fans sometime early in 2023. While we wait to find out what the game plan is, here’s a Christmas-time wish list of what we’d like to see.
Richard John Grayson
For too long DC’s takes on Batman have made the mistake of robbing Batman of one of the most important relationships he’s ever forged. Dick Grayson hasn’t made an appearance in a live-action Batman film since 1997’s Batman and Robin and instead has been shuffled off to streaming land where some half-assed version of him exists on Titans. Gunn has said Batman is an important part of the stories DC Studios wants to tell. Dick Grayson is an important part of Batman’s stories. If DC Studios wants to be taken seriously by fans of Batman, this is a huge first step.
The Brave and The Bold
The Brave and The Bold is the Marvel Team-Ups of DC Comics, but to a lot of readers, it calls to mind one of DC’s most beloved pair of bros: Barry Allen and Hal Jordan. 2023 will see the oft-delayed The Flash film finally hit theaters, CW’s The Flash is ending following its 701st season and there’s been exactly one terrible live-action version of Hal Jordan to date in 2011’s Green Lantern film. Given that it’ll be a few years before DC Studios’ new slate starts rolling out, pushing out a new version of Barry Allen might not be as big of a deal as it seems in 2022. Even though he’s been out of the spotlight for a while, Hal Jordan probably doesn’t need an entire film’s worth of origin. Give these two a buddy film and get them involved in the bigger narrative ASAP.
J’onn J’onzz
The Snyderverse certainly could have used more J’onn J’onzz, a character who was nearly criminally underutilized over the last decade. J’onzz, better known as Martian Manhunter, has been around since the Silver Age and is an OG Justice Leaguer. Moreover, including him in the first wave of films allows DC Studios with someone who can narrate whatever version of the history of the DC Universe they wish to tell because, over his 225 million years, J’onn J’onzz has seen some things.
The League, the Whole League and Nothing But The Leauge
If Gunn is making a shared cinematic universe, there will ultimately be a Justice League. Not too many people outside of Gunn and Safran know what they have in mind for the first wave of films, but it’s likely that at some point, a League will come together and there’s no reason that it can’t be comprised of the original 7. Aquaman, Batman and Wonder Woman may or may not need solo projects ahead of a Justice League film because they’ve all been more recently present than Superman, Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern; alternatively, maybe all 7 original members need solo projects. It doesn’t matter. What does matter is that the 7 OG JLA members have NEVER shared the screen in live-action and that’s something we’d like to see Gunn remedy in the near future.
The Hall of Justice
The Justice League is coming and they need a sick HQ. The Hall of Justice, which is based on the real-life Union Terminal building in Cincinnati, Ohio, has never been in a live-action DC film. By the time the new slate reaches the end of its first arc, it would make sense for the heroes to have established an HQ and this one is as iconic as it gets.
Some Off-Beat Heroes
The Trinity will likely be the foundation of the DC Universe. Aquaman, Flash and Green Lantern will likely be there, too. Hopefully, Martian Manhunter makes the cut. However, if there’s one thing Gunn should be proud to carry over with him from his time at Marvel Studios, it’s the fact that he took a group of off-beat, unknown heroes and turned them into a globally recognized brand. So bring on Metamorpho! Throw Red Tornado into the mix. Plastic Man probably has some free time on his hands. What’s Animal Man up to these days? With the ability to introduce characters not only in films but also through streaming series, get some of these off-beat heroes into the mix. 3 years ago, nobody knew who Peacemaker was and now fans are eagerly antipating the second season of a streaming series starring John Cena as the butt of an ongoing joke.
The OG Leaguers can’t do it all themselves (they totally can, but they never do), so throw some of these guys into the mix and give them a shot at becoming beloved by a new generation.
A Lex Luthor That Can Be Taken Seriously
This one is tough because while Gunn and Safran will want to break away from the stigma of the Snyderverse’s absurd take on Luthor, there’s arguably no more sensible villain for DC Studios’ first wave of films than Luthor. The character has been done to death on TV and in films, but never in a way in which he posed a threat to the entire Justice League. He doesn’t have to be the villain of Gunn’s Superman; in fact, he probably shouldn’t be. However, establishing him and then letting him grow into the type of character that could be powerful enough to threaten the entire league would set him apart from any previous version. And that version of the character probably includes…
The Legion of Doom
If anyone has the balls to bring this ridiculous team of villains together, it’s James Gunn. Though numerous iterations of the team have since appeared in the comics, the OGs first appeared in 1978 in the 16-episode Challenge of the Superfriends animated series that aired on ABC. The original team, which operated out of Darth Vader’s helmet, aka the Hall of Doom, was led by Luthor and consisted of rogues from all of the principal Leaguers galleries. Bizzaro, Black Manta, Brainiac, Captain Cold, Cheetah, Giganta, Gorilla Grodd, Riddler, Scarecrow, Sinestro, Solomon Grundy and Toyman all plotted to take over the world and failed again and again. DC Studios may not be able to pull all 13 of these baddies together and it doesn’t have to. But a JLA vs Legion of Doom movie would certainly garner some attention and one-up Marvel Studios in the sense that they have somehow failed to put together a live-action Masters of Evil 14 years in.
There’s so much more that Gunn and Safran should try to accomplish as they build out the DC Universe, but the hope is that they’ll have the time necessary to do so. Great live-action versions of the JSA, The Question, The Spectre, the Green Lantern Corps and Damian Wayne all deserve to exist. But those characters probably don’t get the treatment they deserve without a solid foundation in the first wave of DC Studios’ slate. A safe, solid slate with some surprises thrown in. Let’s get it done, DC Studios.
It’s been years in the making, but fans finally got their first major look at Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in the form of a trailer. As expected, the footage shown in the sneak peek was jam-packed with curious Spider-Variants from all over the Marvel multiverse. Though their screen time was essentially a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it type affair, that hasn’t stopped viewers from relentlessly combing through the animated stockpile to find as many of their favorite web-heads as possible. While it may not be realistic to assume any online list will have the complete breakdown, especially considering many of the wall-crawlers present in the teaser seem to be original creations, one can certainly hope to at least find a collection of the film’s most notable Spider-Variants so far.
As such, we at Murphy’s Multiverse have composed a list of the trailer’s stand-out comic-based Spideys, combined with the big names that were absent from the footage but confirmed to be part of the film. Of course, Shameik Moore‘s protagonist Miles Morales – the Spider-Man of Earth-1610 – is not included here, because that doesn’t really need to be restated. Also, while there are some cameos in the trailer that definitely look like specific Spider-Men from the comics, no names were made part of the list that couldn’t be positively identified at a first glance. Now, without further ado, the many Spider-People of Across the Spider-Verse:
Gwen Stacy, a.k.a. Spider-Woman (Earth-65)
Spider-Gwen
No surprise here – Hailee Steinfeld is back as Gwen Stacy, the Spider-Woman of Earth-65 who is better known by her out-of-universe nickname, Spider-Gwen. Originally created by Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez for the 2014 comic Edge of Spider-Verse #2, Spider-Gwen comes from an alternate timeline where Gwen Stacy was bitten by the radioactive spider instead of Peter Parker, with the latter eventually receiving the tragic death typically reserved for Stacy in the Spider-Man mythos. She has all the same powers as the average Spider-Person, but famously incorporates ballet-like movement and a punk-rock personality into her persona and style of combat. Some forms of media have given her the unique mantle of Ghost-Spider, but the Spider-Verse films have chosen to stick with what works and keep to the “Spider-Woman” name.
Steinfeld‘s take on Stacy was a hit with audiences when she debuted in 2018’s Into the Spider-Verse. This version of the character acts as both a mentor and love interest for Moore‘s Morales, having helped him and a select group of Spider-Variants stop Earth-1610’s Wilson Fisk and save the multiverse. Her overall role in Across the Spider-Verse remains to be seen, though it would appear she is somehow involved in a multidimensional cabal of Spider-People that Miles was previously unaware of.
Peter B. Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man (Earth-616)
Peter B. Parker
Everyone was hoping for this, and now there is visual evidence. Jake Johnson‘s lovably grumpy Peter B. Parker, the Spider-Man of Earth-616, is back, and this time, he’s a father. An original character developed for Into the Spider-Verse, this Spider-Variant comes from a world where Spider-Man’s adult life turned sour. When audiences first meet Peter B., he’s lost Aunt May, gone bankrupt after selling his image, gained a bit of depression weight, and recently been divorced by Mary Jane Watson. He loses faith in the system and has little interest in superheroics. His encounter with Miles, however, reminds him of his passion for life and sets him back on the right track, with his young friend sending him back to his own timeline with enough hope to rebuild his life. The trailer for Across the Spider-Verse proves Peter B. Parker has done just that. Now adorned with a pink bathrobe and a baby carrier, Johnson‘s Spider-Man will return with a baby in tow, but more on that will come later in this list.
Miguel O’Hara, a.k.a. Spider-Man 2099 (Earth-928)
Spider-Man 2099
After making his big screen debut in the Into the Spider-Versepost-credits teaser, Oscar Isaac‘s Miguel O’Hara is ready to take the spotlight. Best known as Spider-Man 2099, this Spider-Variant was created by Peter David and Rick Leonardi for Marvel’s special 2099 line of comics in 1992. The gimmick at the time was to imagine the world of Marvel as it might exist in the futuristic landscape of the year 2099, with Spider-Man as the flagship character once more. In this universe, set decades after the end of the “Heroic Age”, Miguel O’Hara is a brilliant geneticist working for the megacorporation Alchemax in Nueva York – 2099’s New York City. Inspired by the legend of Spider-Man, he begins work on a new genetic test that could potentially recreate the DNA of history’s greatest hero. Obviously, some sketchy shenanigans at Alchemax result in Miguel using himself as a test subject, and he transforms into the Web-Slinger of his time, protecting Nueva York from all number of threats.
Spider-Man 2099 has all the same abilities as the original Spider-Man, with a few key differences. He does not have Spider-Sense, and instead possesses enhanced vision and hearing that allow him to see the world unlike anyone else. He also has fanged teeth that contain venom, and can poison his foes should he choose to chomp down on them. His advanced, futuristic suit also gives him all sorts of high-tech advantages and allows him to glide through the air at high speeds. Spider-Man 2099 is not the villain of Across the Spider-Verse, but the teaser certainly seems to put him in a mysteriously antagonistic position opposite Miles.
Jessica Drew, a.k.a. Spider-Woman (Unknown Earth)
Spider-Woman
The first Spider-Variant on this list who has yet to actually appear in the Spider-Verse franchise. Voiced by Issa Rae, the upcoming sequel is set to feature a brand new take on the original comic book Spider-Woman, Jessica Drew. Created by Archie Goodwin and Marie Severin, though largely realized by Marv Wolfman, Drew has been around since her first appearance in 1977’s Marvel Spotlight #32. The child of quirky scientists, Jessica is raised at a lab on Mount Wundagore where she becomes ill from radiation poisoning. In an attempt to save her life, her father injects her with a serum based on the blood of a spider, which does the trick but also gives her spider-like abilities. In her adult life, she goes on to become a brainwashed agent of HYDRA, who experiences a tragic accident during a crucial mission that results in the death of a loved one and knocks her out of the trance.
Following this, Jessica becomes a mainstay superhero in the Marvel universe, eventually becoming a member of the Avengers and a central figure in multiple major events on the scale of 2009’s Secret Invasion. She was also the first non-Peter Parker Spider-Person to receive an adaptation in media outside of comics, starring in her own animated series in 1979. Notably, her powerset is quite different from most Spider-Variants, combining flight with bio-electric energy blasts and pheromone manipulation. The version appearing in Across the Spider-Verse will be a fresh take on the character, with a design (and pregnancy) based on more recent comic runs, and an Earth designation that has yet to be revealed.
Hobart Brown, a.k.a. Spider-Punk (Earth-138)
Spider-Punk
Perhaps the most exciting addition to Across the Spider-Verse is Daniel Kaluuya‘s Hobart Brown. Created by Dan Slott and Olivier Coipel for the first comic Spider-Verse event in 2015, this version of Brown (who becomes the first Prowler on Earth-616) hails from the dystopian universe of Earth-138. In this world, former Oscorp CEO Norman Osborn has become President of the United States, and he’s turned New York City into a toxic wasteland. A homeless teenager, Brown is bitten by a spider altered in the radioactive atmosphere and uses his affinity for head-banging rock n’ roll to become the one-and-only Spider-Punk. Armed with powerful new abilities and his guitar, Spider-Punk leads the people of New York in a massive revolt against Osborn, securing their freedom and taking his place as their savior.
Kaluuya will voice the character in Across the Spider-Verse, though his exact role in the plot is still unknown. He does not appear in the trailer, though Sony has been keen to advertise his presence in the film and released a fresh look at Brown via concept art on the same day as the trailer drop.
Pavitr Prabhakar, a.k.a. Spider-Man India (Earth-50101)
Spider-Man India
Another character not featured in the trailer, but confirmed to play a decent-sized role in the film. Pavitr Prabhakar, the Spider-Man of Earth-50101, is often referred to by fans as “Spider-Man India.” He was created by Sharad Devarajan, Jeevan Kang, and Suresh Seetharaman for the mini-series Spider-Man: India in 2004. As the title implies, the comic envisioned a world where Spider-Man was Indian instead of American, with the young Prabhakar gaining his powers as the protector of Mumbai as opposed to New York.
In Earth-50101, Prabhakar moves in with his Aunt Maya and Uncle Bhim after the death of his parents and lives a childhood not all that dissimilar from the story readers know by heart. Eventually, however, a local crime lord named Naman Oberoi reigns terror on Mumbai with the use of a magical amulet, which turns him into a goblin-like demon hellbent on bringing other demons to Earth. Deemed worthy, Pavitr encounters an ancient yogi who grants him the powers of a spider to combat the newfound threat, which he uses to become Spider-Man and defeat Oberoi after a selfish personal mistake costs him his Uncle. The initial problem solved, Prabhakar maintains his heroic identity and carries on with both great power and great responsibility. It’s unknown how big of a role Spider-Man India will have in the story, but some hot concept art shows off a brand new design for the character and the trailer hints that Miles will somehow find himself in Pavitr’s world.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Insomniac Spider-Man (Earth-1048)
Insomniac Spider-Man
No, this is not a version of Spider-Man who has trouble sleeping. This is the Spider-Variant from Earth-1048, the world in which Insomniac Games’ wildly popular PlayStation 4 exclusive Spider-Man takes place. This character’s origin is more or less the same as most Peter Parkers but can be quickly identified by his unique red-orange web pattern and white logo design. In his timeline, Parker has been active as a superhero for just over eight years and has recently begun mentoring his own version of Miles. Insomniac’s Spider-Man 2 is currently in development, so fans of the variant and his universe have a lot to look forward to in the next year or so. Until then, they can enjoy what is likely just a cameo in Across the Spider-Verse.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. The Bombastic Bag-Man (Unknown Earth)
Bag-Man
As outlined in a previous Murphy’s Multiverse article, this is simply a Spider-Variant who refuses to take off one of Spider-Man’s most ridiculous attempts at a suit. The Amazing Spider-Man #258, written by Tom Defalco and illustrated by Ron Frenz in 1984, saw Peter Parker finally rid himself of the iconic “Black Suit” and Venom symbiote with the help of Reed Richards at the Baxter Building. Unfortunately, Peter failed to bring a backup costume and was forced to swing back across New York in an old Fantastic Four suit with a bag on his head to conceal his identity. Of course, Parker encountered some crime along the way and was infamously dubbed “The Bombastic Bag-Man” by the public when he stopped to help.
The goof-suit has since become a favorite among fans of the character and has been included as a joke skin in nearly every video game adaptation of the character that allows for it. The Bag-Man seen in Across the Spider-Verse appears to be a new Spider-Variant, as he is wearing some form of actual Spider-Man suit with the brown paper bag as its official mask. Maybe this version of Peter just really liked the open air flowing through the bottom of the bag? Only time will tell. Although, it probably won’t.
Mary Jane Watson-Parker & Anna-May Parker, a.k.a. Spinneret & Spiderling (Earth-18119)
Spinneret & Spiderling
This one was a bit unexpected. Seen briefly among the many Spider-Variants in the trailer are Mary Jane Watson-Parker and her daughter, Anna-May Parker, in their superheroic identities as Spinneret and Spiderling, respectively. Created by Dan Slott and Adam Kubert for 2015’s Renew Your Vows mini-series, MJ and Annie hail from a timeline where Peter Parker was never forced to make a deal with Mephisto and give up his marriage to Watson (it’s a long story). As such, the pair were able to start a family together, with MJ eventually giving birth to Annie, who inherited her father’s powers at a young age.
His daughter’s ascent to teenage vigilantism spurred Peter out of retirement as Spider-Man and, wanting to gain a sense of urgency within her family, Mary Jane would ultimately find a variety of ways to become a superhero in her own right as well. These included both high-tech suits and a stint donning the Venom symbiote. It would appear the Earth-18119 variants of MJ and Annie somehow found their way to Miguel O’Hara’s secret society of Spider-People, and have a fun little cameo at the very least.
Maybelle Reilly, a.k.a. Lady Spider (Earth-803)
Lady Spider
Another product of the original Spider-Verse event. Created by Robbie Thompson and Denis Medri, the steampunk-inspired Lady Spider made her debut in 2014 and became a spectacle for fans of the niche genre she inhabited. Existing in a world based on the height of the industrial revolution, Maybelle Reilly was the genius daughter of a man who kept creatures to study. One day, fascinated by her father’s captive spider, she freed the arachnid and was quickly bitten. Maybelle took this as a sign to let “no one cage you“, and promptly used her intelligence to construct a mechanical, spider-themed suit with which she could be free. Over time, Reilly began using the suit to fight crime as “Lady Spider”, and apparently, wound up using a computer in the secret society of Spider-People.
The Armored Spider-Men (Unknown Earths)
The trailer for Across the Spider-Verse features not one, not two, but three Spider-Variants wearing different versions of Peter Parker’s famous “Spider-Armor.” The clunky, all-silver design is based on the original Spider-Armor from 1993’s Web of Spider-Man #100, written by Terry Kavanagh and illustrated by Alex Saviuk, which saw Parker design a pseudo-metallic compound at Empire State University to help him combat the New Enforcers and their high caliber firearms. While most might not think of this Spider-Variant as anything special, those who are educated may consider this to be a cameo from the Spider-Man of Earth-31198 – a rich, industrialist Peter Parker who wears the Spider-Armor MK I as his main suit, and who helps a handful of multiversal Spider-Men defeat Spider-Carnage in 1994’s Spider-Man: The Animated Series.
Also present in the trailer are the Spider-Armor MK II, known as the “Bulletproof Armor”, and the Spider-Armor MK III, known as the “Ends of the Earth Armor.” The former, which debuted in Dan Slott and Marcos Martin‘s 2011 comic Amazing Spider-Man #656, was designed by Parker at Horizon Labs when he temporarily lost his Spider-Sense (limiting his ability to dodge bullets), and the latter, created by Slott and Stefano Caselli for 2012’s Amazing Spider-Man #682, was crafted by Parker specifically to fight the Sinister Six, with the suit containing defenses against each member of the villainous team.
Dr. Otto Octavius, a.k.a. Superior Spider-Man (Unknown Earth)
Superior Spider-Man
Another Dan Slott creation (with an assist from Ryan Stegman) sliding into the Spider-Verse. In one of the most controversial story arcs ever written for Spider-Man, 2013’s The Superior Spider-Man saw a dying Doctor Octopus successfully transfer his consciousness into the body of Peter Parker, taking over his life in an attempt to become a better version of Spider-Man than Parker could ever be. A “Superior Spider-Man”, if one would allow it. Of course, this didn’t work out the way Octavius intended, with Parker eventually regaining control of his body and proving he’s a better hero in every way. However, Octavius’ stint as the wall-crawler lasted a lot longer than anyone anticipated, and temporarily changed Spider-Man comics as a whole.
Superior Spider-Man is a darker, arrogant, more violent Spider-Man than readers are accustomed to seeing. He also maintained Otto’s immense fondness for gadgetry, adding mechanical spider legs to his suit and utilizing all sorts of neat little robotics. The Spider-Verse comics established the idea of timelines in which Parker never got his body back and Otto remained in control permanently, so perhaps this Superior Spider-Man calls one of those worlds home.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Mangaverse Spider-Man (Earth-2301)
Mangaverse Spider-Man
Another great deep pull from the folks behind Across the Spider-Verse. Created by Kaare Andrews for 2002’s Marvel Mangaverse: Spider-Man, this version of Peter Parker exists in a Marvel universe reimagined as a Japanese Manga. On Earth-2301, Parker is the last remaining member of the “Spider Clan”, a group of ninjas, after the untimely death of his Uncle and Sensei, Ben. Left alone, Peter trains in secret to exact his revenge on his Uncle’s killer – his cousin and Kingpin underling, Venom. This training leads him to become the Spider-Man, sole survivor of the Spider Clan, protector of New York, and evidently, a new member of the secret society of Spider-People run by Miguel O’Hara.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Werewolf Spider-Man (Earth-7085)
Werewolf Spider-Man
It’s only on screen for the briefest of moments, but there is a werewolf Spider-Man lurking in the background of Across the Spider-Verse. While the design is different, this could be a nod to 2007’s Marvel Zombies/Army of Darkness #5, which featured a Peter Parker who had been turned into a horrifying zombie-werewolf hybrid creature and ended up consuming the world alongside his fellow monstrous Marvels. Once he was full, perhaps he felt like joining up with countless other Spider-Variants for dessert?
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Man Unlimited (Earth-751263)
Spider-Man Unlimited
This is, by far, the most delightful inclusion in the Across the Spider-Verse trailer. Following the conclusion of Spider-Man: The Animated Series in 1998, Avi Arad and Will Meugniot developed a loose sequel series titled Spider-Man Unlimited, which saw its title character launched into space for a new set of adventures on a faraway planet called Counter-Earth. The ambitious premise had Peter Parker traveling far away from home in an attempt to save astronaut John Jameson, who was stranded on Counter-Earth after a mission gone wrong. Once there, Spider-Man found himself leading a revolt against the High Evolutionary and his hierarchy of “Beastials” – animal/human hybrids created by the Evolutionary himself.
The series introduced a new suit design for Spider-Man that accommodated the other-worldly setting and allowed the hero to travel through the final frontier. Canceled early, that show never got a proper ending, so it stands to reason this timeline’s version of Parker somehow left Counter-Earth and ended up a part of Miguel O’Hara’s Spider-Forces.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spider-Monkey (Earth-8101)
Spider-Monkey (Top Left of Image)
Across the Spider-Verse is going ape. As if John Mulaney‘s Spider-Ham wasn’t enough, the trailer for the upcoming sequel project has revealed Spider-Monkey will play a minor role. Originally created by Karl Kesel and Ramon Bachs for 2008’s Marvel Apes mini-series, Spider-Monkey comes from a universe where apes reign supreme as the dominant species of the planet. A literal spider monkey, the Peter Parker of this world is a little more full of himself than the average Spider-Person and is also not afraid to slaughter his enemies. That means Miles better keep an eye on the monkey in the room at all times.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Last Stand Spider-Man (Earth-312500)
Last Stand Spider-Man (Center of Image)
Maybe the saddest inclusion in Across the Spider-Verse. This Spider-Variant of Peter Parker comes from a timeline where the hero chooses to kill Kraven the Hunter in an act of vengeance, pushing him toward a darker version of himself. Years later, after hurting his loved ones, tarnishing his good name, and sinking into a deep depression, he commits suicide by cop at the site of Aunt May’s grave. It’s not a super fun story, but it is an existing alternate universe, and a version of it apparently exists within the radar of the Spider-Forces.
Peter Parker, a.k.a. House of M Spider-Man (Earth-58163)
There may not be any more mutants, but there’s still a Spider-Man. 2005’s House of M landmark comic, written by Brian Michael Bendis and illustrated by Olivier Coipel, saw the Scarlet Witch annihilate Earth-616 and replace it with a new reality of her own making. In this world, Peter Parker’s origins as an amateur wrestler take off, bringing him the kind of fame and fortune most Spider-Variants could only dream of. Masquerading as a mutant, Peter would eventually become one of the world’s most beloved heroes, starring in films and running his own company. He was even eventually able to reveal his identity publicly, with little fear of consequence. This timeline would eventually be discarded by Wanda Maximoff, but it stands to reason other versions of the same concept exist in the endless multiverse, and one of those Spider-Men found their way to Miguel O’Hara.
Mayday Parker (the Future Spider-Girl)
This is sort of cheating. As previously mentioned, the trailer reveals Peter B. Parker and his Mary Jane Watson are now proud parents, and an accompanying piece of concept art confirms they have a daughter named Mayday Parker. Those in the know may remember the MC2 universe, where Peter and MJ’s daughter – Mayday – grew up to inherit her dad’s gifts and become the Amazing Spider-Girl. She’s not yet technically a Spider-Variant at the time of Across the Spider-Verse, but hey, there’s still a third movie on the horizon.
Ben Reilly, a.k.a. Scarlet Spider (Earth-?)
The man, the clone, the legend. Ben Reilly might be the Spider-Variant with the longest, most complex history outside of the original Peter Parker. Created by Gerry Conway for a one-off appearance in 1975’s The Amazing Spider-Man #149, Reilly returned in a big way for 1994’s infamous Clone Saga storyline. As has been heavily suggested, Reilly is a near-perfect clone of Peter Parker. He was made by lesser-known villain the Jackal as part of a personal vendetta against Parker, and upon learning of his status as a clone, left New York to construct a new life for himself under a new name. He would eventually return to NYC, however, where he would finally confront Peter and take up a costumed identity of his own – the Scarlet Spider.
Dying his hair blonde, Reilly goes on to become a semi-permanent fixture in Parker’s life. He has died and been reborn on multiple occasions, gone back and forth from hero to villain more than once, and even took the official Spider-Man mantle from Peter for a brief period of time. Ben’s acceptance among fans probably depends on who one speaks with, but like it or not, it would seem him and his incredible costume are around for the long run. It’s nice to see him with a featured spot on the Across the Spider-Verse poster, presumably representing a timeline where he remained as the primary Spider-Hero instead of Peter.
Julia Carpenter, a.k.a. Spider-Woman (Earth-?)
Another Spider-Woman is on the board! The latest poster for Across the Spider-Verse confirms Julia Carpenter, the second person to ever take up the Spider-Woman mantle, will appear in the film. Created by Jim Shooter and Mike Zeck for 1984’s Secret Wars, Carpenter was a college student tricked into undergoing a government experiment as part of an “athletic study”. In actuality, she was injected with a mix of spider venom and exotic plants that gave her powers on par with Spider-Man. She didn’t have much time to get the hang of things before being pulled into major Marvel conflicts and fighting side-by-side with the best of the best. After a short time in the role, Julia has her powers taken away by the daughter of Madame Web and resumes a normal life.
As is often the case with comics, this decision was eventually reversed and Julia reappeared as a hero named ‘Arachne’ years later. She continued as a member of the Spider-Family until a confrontation with the Kraven and his offspring results in the death of Madame Web, who transfers her powers to Julia with her dying breath. Since then, Carpenter has upheld the important multiversal position of Madame Web. Her design on the Across the Spider-Verse poster, though, indicates she’ll still be Spider-Woman (presumably from an alternate timeline) when she encounters Miles.
What if Flash Thompson was bitten by the radioactive spider? This was the question posed by Don Glut, Rick Hobert, and Roy Thomas when they created Captain Spider for What If? #7 in 1977. On Earth-78127, Thompson receives the fateful spider bite instead of Peter Parker, and he’s a lot less bashful about it afterwards. He crafts a suit for himself that features a cape and shows a bit more skin, and goes all-in on fighting crime around New York City. Unlike Peter, Thompson accidentally kills Crusher Hogan in his attempt to become a professional wrestler, and is a bit more brutal in his fighting style. Ultimately, he dies and has is identity revealed after falling in a battle with the Vulture.
Captain Spider grew in popularity after an alternate version of him, who did not died fighting Vulture, became an important part of the Spider-Verse comics. It looks like Across the Spider-Verse will take inspiration from this, as it’s latest poster confirms Miles will encounter the one-time bully on his adventure through the multiverse.
Spider-Cat (Earth-999)
In terms of animal-based Spider-Variants, the existence of this one was a give-in. Created by Skottie Young for Spider-Island: I Love New York City #1 in 2011, Spider-Cat is literally just a house cat who somehow gained spider-powers and used them to fight crime. The rest of this cat’s life and origin is a mystery, but it is known he often dreamed of fighting a rival pigeon named Venom, to whom he lost some of his nine lives. Spider-Cat was killed by the Inheritors in the Spider-Verse comics, but remains alive to rub his head on Miles in the latest poster for Across the Spider-Verse.
Patrick O’Hara, a.k.a. Web-Slinger (Earth-31913)
Save a horse, ride a spider. Created by Dan Slott and Giuseppe Camuncoli for 2014’s Amazing Spider-Man #9, Web-Slinger is a cowboy version of the wall-crawler from a reality where the country is still living in the Wild West, so this version of Spider-Man is the kind one might find bull riding at the local rodeo (and he would do really well, with the sticky fingers and all). Named Patrick O’Hara, he was a gunslinger who traveled far and wide performing shows for cash, alongside his business partner Michael Morbius, who sold magic elixirs given to him by an Apache shaman. One day, a spider would bath itself in the elixir before biting both Patrick and his horse, Widow, giving both man and animal spider-powers.
Morbius, desiring power, also drank the elixir, giving himself vampiric abilities. Patrick would be forced to don the Web-Slinger mantle and go after his former friend, who had begun abducting children. After successfully defeating Morbius, the Web-Slinger would be recruited to join the army of the Spider-Verse, which is presumably why he’s on the latest poster for Across the Spider-Verse. No horse, though.
Cyborg Spider-Woman (Earth-?)
This is a brand new character created specifically for Across the Spider-Verse, but worth mentioning as she’s appeared in quite a bit of the marketing so far. A large, Frankenstein-esque Spider-Woman made up of both human and robot parts, the hero being called “Cyborg Spider-Woman” is still pretty much a mystery. She seems to be based on a version of Spider-Man from Earth-2818, where Peter Parker was banged up pretty bad by the Sinister Six and is forced to become a cyborg – with the help of Deathlok – to revive himself and save the day. Maybe Cyborg Spider-Woman will have a similar origin story?
Peter Parker, a.k.a. Spectacular Spider-Man (Earth-26496)
A surprise to be sure, but a welcome one. For the first time since the show’s cancellation in 2009, The Spectacular Spider-Man‘s Peter Parker will swing across a screen. Developed by Greg Weisman and Victor Cook, the aforementioned series ran on The CW and Disney XD for two seasons from 2008 to 2009, becoming a huge hit among fans and one of the most popular adaptations of the character ever produced. Unfortunately, behind-the-scenes matters resulted in an early end to the show, leaving it’s storyline – which followed the original Spider-Man comics fairly closely, with modern twists – on a massive cliffhanger. Perhaps now, Across the Spider-Verse can answer the lingering questions fans have had for over a decade, as the latest poster for the film confirms Josh Keaton‘s web-head will be making a grand return.
Margo, a.k.a. Spider-Byte (Earth-22191)
This inclusion is fairly neat, and definitely unique. The latest poster for Across the Spider-Verse has revealed the appearance of Spider-Byte, whose civilian identity is simply Margo. The tech-based hero was created by Nilah Magruder for 2018’s Vault of Spiders #1, and hails from a universe where most of human interaction occurs in a virtual world known as “Cyberspace”. Here, Margo hacks the system and develops herself a spider-themed avatar bent on stopping cybercrime and keeping the Cyberspace safe for all. It’s not explained how Margo is able to continue using her virtual powers in the real world after she’s recruited to join the Spider-Forces, but perhaps audiences will get an explanation when Miles and her cross paths next year.
Ben Reilly, a.k.a. Spider-Carnage (Earth-?)
This one is most definitely a surprise addition, considering his long history as a terrifying, deadly, monstrous villain in the Marvel universe. Spider-Carnage, created by Dan Jurgens and Klaus Janson for 1996’s Web of Carnage, was another product of the long-running Clone Saga and it’s many plotlines. As his name implies, this is a version of Ben Reilly – who may or may not be a clone of the other Ben Reilly – that is forcibly bonded with the Carnage symbiote after it leaves it’s original host, Kletus Cassidy. It doesn’t take long for the symbiote to begin taking over Reilly’s mind, turning him into a powerful foe for Peter Parker and the heroes of the Marvel universe.
Another famous take on this character comes from the final season of Spider-Man: The Animated Series, which has a heavy focus on alternate Peter Parkers. Introduced in the episode “I Really, Really Hate Clones“, written by John Semper Jr., Mark Hoffmeier, and James Krieg, this variant of Spider-Carnage is from a universe where Ben Reilly successfully resisted the symbiote, but an emotionally unstable Peter Parker decided to embrace it. Later, it’s revealed that this was actually all a big ruse, and the blonde Ben Reilly was actually the original Peter Parker and the evil Peter Parker was actually the original Ben Reilly, as is a recurring theme in Clone Saga-related material. Either way, Spider-Carnage has never been portrayed as a hero, and it’s a shock to see him present on the latest Across the Spider-Verse poster.
Charlotte Webber, a.k.a. Sun-Spider (Earth-20023)
One of the most recently-created Spider-Variants to get the big screen treatment. Charlotte Webber made her debut as Sun-Spider in 2020’s Spider-Verse #6, but was originally developed as a “Spidersona” by fan artist Dayn Broder. Charlotte has Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, which has an impact on her joints and connective tissue. This means Sun-Spider needs crutches for extra stability, but as a superhero, her crutches are anything but normal. Webber is able to shoot webbing from her crutches, allowing her a unique form of web-slinging and combat that sets her apart from the rest of the Spider-Variants confirmed for Across the Spider-Verse.
Insider Daniel RPK has been keeping the news cycle going lately with a deluge of casting calls for several projects. Several such bits of info have come available for Daredevil: Born Again lately and now it seems it’s time for Captain America: New World Order to get some time in the spotlight.
According to Daniel RPK, New World Order is going to include a male character described as a “Marvel mainstay.” That’s unfortunately not much to go on, but we thought we’d give it a shot anyway. Here are five “Marvel mainstays” who might show up in Captain America: New World Order.
Rick Jones
For hardcore comic book fans, it’s unthinkable that the MCU has gone on so long without Rick Jones. Throughout his 596 comic book appearances, Jones has been a key ally to Mar-Vell, the Hulk, Steve Rogers and the Avengers. He’s been part of some wacky cosmic adventures, found himself smack in the center of a Multiversal conflict known as the Destiny War in Kurt Busiek‘s Avengers Forever and found himself turned into a Gamma mutate known as A-Bomb. Jones is as close to the definition of a “mainstay” as there is in Marvel Comics and making his MCU debut in a Captain America movie that also features Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus Ross and the Leader makes quite a bit of sense, especially since the latter two individuals were a part of his transformation into A-Bomb.
Jim Hammond
While Rick Jones may have more appearances in the pages of Marvel Comics, Jim Hammond, The Original Human Torch, predates Jones by over 20 years, having made his first appearance in 1939’s Marvel Comics #1. If you want a Marvel mainstay, Hammond is your guy. Technically, the character already exists within the MCU, having been “introduced” in Captain America: The First Avenger. The First of the Marvels, Hammond has been an Invader, a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and a West Coast Avenger in the comics and could serve a very interesting purpose in a film that’s rumored to feature the Red Hulk. Red Hulk’s unique instability causes him to emit increasing amounts of Gamma as he becomes increasingly angry which causes him to “catch fire” before eventually exploding. Hammond’s android body comes complete with a couple of abilities that can counteract that including thermokinesis (the ability to increase or reduce the heat in other objects), the complete resistance to heat and the absorb and emit radiation of his own. In fact, it was the radiation from a nuclear bomb on a test site that “reactivated” the Torch in the pages of the comics. Finding a way to include Hammond would be both a fascinating callback to The First Avenger and give the world an unexpected weapon against the Red Hulk.
Doc Samson
Like Hammond, Samson has already been introduced in the MCU. Ty Burrell played a very boring and laid-back version of Samson in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, a movie that many questioned the canonicity of until recently. With Ross, Emil Blonsky and know Samuel Sterns all back and part of the ongoing narrative in the MCU, bringing back Samson would fit the pattern. As a psychiatrist, Samson played a major role in Bruce Banner’s ongoing personality struggles. He also factored heavily into Red Hulk’s introductory arc and was a member of the Thunderbolts. It’s easy to see how Samson could fit in and, hopefully, transition into the green-haired, Gamma-powered Doc Samson fans have loved over his 322 comic book appearances. As for why there’s a casting call, that’s simple: Burrell may well have chosen not to return in the role forcing Marvel Studios to go a-lookin’.
Dr. Walter Langkowski
While Doctor Langkowski may seem like less of a mainstay than Doc Samson, the character has actually appeared 333 times in the pages of Marvel Comics, just edging out his doctoral counterpart. Unlike the rest of the characters on this list, Langkowski PROBABLY wasn’t available for use by Marvel Studios until 2019 (the assumption is that his live-action rights were controlled by Fox) but like Samson, he’d be a great fit for any story involving Gamma. Langkowski experimented with gamma and found himself mutated into a creature he himself dubbed Sasquatch. As Sasquatch, Langkowski served Canada through the Gamma Flight, Beta Flight and finally Alpha Fight programs through Department H. His presence would potentially portend interesting things down the road, but he’d also fit in nicely to a project with a potential new Hulk.
Dennis Dunphy
He’s not exactly a mainstay. Most people don’t even know who he is. But this is a Sam Wilson movie and Dennis Dunphy has routinely worked closely with Sam in the comics over the last decade. Let’s give the Detroit native a shot in the MCU! He’s only had 95 appearances, but he’s been in the big leagues as a member of the Avengers and there’s a good Daredevil costume gag waiting to happen now that the gold suit is canon.
Let us know what other characters you think might fit the bill for the “Marvel mainstay” the studio is looking to include in Captain America: New World Order!
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