The days of Captain America and Iron Man leading the heroes of Marvel Cinematic Universe are over (sigh) and a new generation of superheroes (and villains) are ready to leave their mark. Phase 4 of one of the biggest cinematic universes is expanding even more by introducing a plethora of new characters. Here are few characters to look out for in the next stage of the MCU as they join some of our faves in action!
1. Yelena Belova
Portrayed by Midsommar star Florence Pugh, Yelena Belova will make her entrance to the MCU in the long-awaited Black Widow. Yelena is a sister figure to Natasha (Scarlett Johansson) and a fellow trainee from her Red Room days. It has also been confirmed that Yelena will make an appearance in the upcoming “Hawkeye” series, but it is still unknown what role she will have in the show’s storyline.
BREAKING: Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova joins the #Hawkeye Disney+ series pic.twitter.com/2vhh9z2T2y
— Florence Pugh Daily (@bestofpugh) November 30, 2020
2. Shang-Chi
Shang-Chi will be the first Asian hero in the MCU. The character portrayed by Simu Liu is a skilled fighter known as the Master of Kung Fu. In Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, he will have to confront the past he believed he had left behind when he is drawn into the mysterious Ten Rings organization.
Production has just wrapped for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and we are excited to share the fantastic cast bringing the film to life.#ShangChi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is in theaters July 9th, 2021. pic.twitter.com/fnmNP94nrA
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
3. Kate Bishop
When Kate Bishop was confirmed to be in “Hawkeye”, we couldn’t contain our excitement! Kate Bishop will be played by “Dickinson” star Hailee Steinfield. In the Disney+ series, we will see her train under Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner) to take over the mantle of Hawkeye. Kate Bishop is a character Marvel fans have been dying to see enter the MCU.
? New photos of Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld on the set of #Hawkeye on the Lower East Side on December 8, 2020 in New York City. pic.twitter.com/9ik7ryLzdq
— Jeremy Renner Net (@JRennerNet) December 16, 2020
4. Gorr the God Butcher
Gorr the God Butcher will be the villain to look out for in the next phase of the MCU. The character is set to appear in Taika Waititi's Thor: Love and Thunder and expected to be a great threat to the God of Thunder, as his M.O. is to butcher gods. Gorr the God Butcher will be portrayed by former Batman Christian Bale, marking his big leap from the DC universe to Marvel.
Academy Award-winning actor Christian Bale will join the cast of Thor: Love and Thunder as the villain Gorr the God Butcher. In theaters May 6, 2022. ⚡ pic.twitter.com/fWS4UuP2oM
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) December 11, 2020
5. America Chavez
America Chavez is the first Latinx LGBTQ+ hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The character, portrayed by Xochitl Gomez, will make her live-action debut in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Darkness”. Chavez will fit perfectly in the world of Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), since she can create portals, allowing her to travel through the multiverse.
Xochitl Gomez confirmed to play America Chavez in 'Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness'. #DisneyInvestorDay pic.twitter.com/XtDkelgAC8
— Geeks of Color #BlackLivesMatter (@GeeksOfColor) December 11, 2020
We can’t wait to see these characters in action soon!