Spoiler Alert: If you’re not completely caught up on all the movies and TV series of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, stop reading now!
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As endless questions about Marvel Studios’ future rumbled through the entertainment world and the domination of the Marvel CInematic Universe seemed to be waning, an unexpected hero showed up to save the day. That’s right, Wade Wilson stepped in to save the multiverse with wildly inappropriate, yet hilarious, jokes and crowd-pleasing returns. “Deadpool & Wolverine” has been a massive hit for Marvel, reigniting interest in the multiverse and reminding fans why they love the franchise.
Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige followed up that success with the surprise announcement that “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame” directors, Joe and Anthony Russo, will return to direct the forthcoming “Avengers: Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars.” That announcement was accompanied by the shocking casting news that Robert Downey Jr. will be portraying big bad Victor Von Doom/Doctor Doom. All this renewed excitement about the MCU’s future has us wondering about what’s next for some of our favorite Black characters, so we’re taking a look at where we left them and where they could go next.
Sam Wilson/Captain America
When We Last Saw Them: When “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” wrapped up, Sam was finally ready to fully embrace his role as the new Captain America. He knows he’s not Steve Rogers, but he has his friend’s values and moral compass, so he’s definitely the right choice for the job.
What’s Next: We’ll get to see how that works out when he faces a new conspiracy and Red Hulk in “Captain America: Brave New World,” which hits theaters Feb. 14. Anthony Mackie is joined by a returning Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres/Falcon; Giancarlo Esposito as Sidewinder; Harrison Ford as President Thaddeus Ross/Red Hulk; Liv Tyler as Betty Ross;Tim Blake Nelson as Samuel Sterns/Leader: and Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley.
Isaiah Bradley
When We Last Saw Them: His place as the first super soldier was finally recognized at the end of “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.” His character was one of the most fascinating parts of the series and we really hope he gets a chance to tell more of his story.
What’s Next: He returns as an essential part of the mysterious conspiracy at the center of “Captain America: Brave New World.” While the trailer shows Isaiah possibly going rogue, we hope the deeper story at play gives this hero the respect and honor he deserves.
Col. James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes/War Machine
When We Last Saw Them: This one’s a little tricky since we don’t know exactly when we last saw our Rhodey. In “Secret Invasion,” it was revealed that Don Cheadle’s hero was a skrull, with the real Col. Rhodes being held captive.
What’s Next: He’s supposed to get his own story in the film “Armor Wars,” but we assume we’ll see him before then in one of the “Avengers” movies or maybe even as a surprise cameo in “Captain America: Brave New World.” Whenever he does show up, he’ll have a huge mess to clean up because you know that skrull caused all kinds of chaos.
Nick Fury
When We Last Saw Them: Since “Secret Invasion” was meant to be the last time we saw him, we’ll pick it up from there and not “The Marvels.” Nick Fury and his wife headed back to the space station to work on establishing peace between Skrulls and Kree.
What’s Next: Though Fury seems to be done with Earth for a while, we know he can’t leave it behind for too long. Plus, we’re still waiting for him to hang out in Wakanda. We need a showdown between Nick Fury and M’Baku.
Monica Rambeau
When We Last Saw Them: Monica saved the galaxy by using her powers to close a tear in space. Her heroics trapped her in another universe. When she wakes up, she discovers that a variant of her mother Maria is the hero Binary and is a member of the X-Men, alongside Kelsey Grammer returning as Hank McCoy/Beast.
What’s Next: Carol and Kamala were deeply saddened by the loss of their friend, but we know we’ll see her again. At some point, someone besides the TVA will figure out how to travel through the multiverse and Monica will make a big heroic return.
Shuri
When We Last Saw Them: After losing her brother T’Challa, Shuri worked through her grief, eventually becoming the new Black Panther. She’s never shown much interest in thr throne, so we wonder if she’ll actually rule the country, or just spend time in her lab creating more weapons and tech.
What’s Next: “Wakanda Forever” ended with Shuri finally meeting her adorable nephew. Will we see her continue to be the coolest aunt ever? And you already know if there’s a battle to save the multiverse, the smartest person in the MCU will be crucial to the fight. We can’t wait to see her school Reed Richards the way she did Bruce.
Nakia
When We Last Saw Them: In the wake of T’Challa’s death, Nakia and her son were living outside of Wakanda so he could be a normal kid without the pressures of being royal. She helped rescue Shuri, proving she’s still a hero when needed, but seems to really enjoy her quiet, normal life.
What’s Next: We’re wondering if she’ll feel a need to return to the safety of Wakanda as the multiverse becomes more of a threat? Is T’Challa’s son essential to the survival of another planet? Maybe a T’Challa variant will come looking for him like Wanda did with her boys?
Okoye
When We Last Saw Them: In a rage that should’ve won her an Oscar, Angela Bassett’s Queen Ramonda relieved Okoye from her duties as General. However, Shuri provided her with a new suit full of advanced tech and weapons. She used it to free Everett Ross from Val. Apparently, that didn’t last long since he was also captured by the Skrulls.
What’s Next: Will Shuri return her to her place as General, or will she enjoy her new found freedom and take on a new role protecting her people? If we’re exploring the multiverse, we’re gonna need an Okoye vs Okoye battle because it’s what we deserve.
M’Baku
When We Last Saw Them: M’Baku is one of Shuri’s most trusted advisors and one of Wakanda’s fiercest leaders. He helped lead the battle against Namor and the Talokan, as well as championing the rebuilding period for his people.
What’s Next: If Shuri doesn’t rule, could he be the next king of Wakanda? We can’t wait to see other variants of M’Baku, because you know they’re all a little crazy.
Riri Williams
When We Last Saw Them: After helping her new Wakanda friends defeat the Talokan, Riri headed back to Detroit with new knowledge and a new purpose.
What’s Next: The upcoming Disney+ series “Ironheart” is currently scheduled to premiere in 2025. Dominique Thorne returns as Riri Williams, with co-star Anthony Ramos playing the villain. Details have been kept secret, but last we heard it was set to be a battle between magic and science.
Luke Cage
When We Last Saw Them: It’s been ages since we saw Harlem’s hero take over the underworld to bring order back to his neighborhood. Since then, half the universe was snapped out of existence during “the Blip” and a major battle was waged for the future of the galaxy. We imagine Luke’s life has drastically changed by now.
What’s Next: This is clearly wishful thinking, because there’s no confirmation, hints or teases that Mike Colter plans to reprise the role. However, if the character does come back we need him to get back to the regular guy he was in Season 1. The story got away from them in Season 2, so frankly we can just pretend like it didn’t happen.
Misty Knight
When We Last Saw Them: Misty Knight was last seen using her high-tech prosthetic arm to fight crime in New York City.
What’s Next: Since the Netflix series were literally a lifetime ago, we can just start over and reintroduce her and Colleen Wing as badass vigilantes keeping their post-blip neighborhood safe.
Mordo
When We Last Saw Them: The primary version of Mordo from “Doctor Strange” hasn’t been seen since that film, but we’ve heard that he’s attacked Stephen Strange several times. The version from “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’” Earth 838 was left behind by Strange as he, America and Christine escaped from Wanda. He definitely won’t be happy to find all his friends murdered.
What’s Next: Will he blame Stephen for the brutal murder of his friends? Will one or more Mordo variants team up to destroy the sorcerer? He’s too powerful to sit on the sidelines of a multiversal war.
Blade
When We Last Saw Them: OG Wesley Snipes Blade was just seen hanging out in The Void with Deadpool and Wolverine. In the end, he was returned to his rightful timeline. Mahershala Ali’s Blade was heard advising Kit Harington’s Dane Whitman not to use the Ebony Blade.
What’s Next: Considering how many production issues the “Blade” reboot has experienced, we have a better chance of seeing Snipes again before Ali ever gets to kill any vampires.
Storm
When We Last Saw Them: Halle Berry’s Storm was last seen in “X-Men:Days of Future Past” after Logan had reset the timeline and prevented mass mutant slaughter.
What’s Next: “Deadpool & Wolverine” officially introduced mutants into the MCU, so we know there are plenty of Storm variants throughout the multiverse. Even if they recast the role, we know that some of them will be based on Halle Berry’s version. Personally, I want to see Halle, Janet Jackson, Alexandra Shipp and a whole army of Storms.
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