Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER
M’Baku (Winston Duke) in his Jabari Tribe throne room
Ph: Film Frame
©Marvel Studios 2018
Disney has already revealed a small handful of Marvel Studios projects for their Disney Plus service, but what other Marvel characters are worthy of their own show?
Disney Plus has everyone excited. All of our favorite Disney movies and TV shows will now be in one central location. Projects like Pixar movies and Star Wars will be available to watch whenever we want. No more waiting for Disney to reopen the vault to watch movies like The Lion King or Cinderella.
If that wasn’t good enough, Marvel Studios will be putting their movies there as well. You want more? How about the announcement that there will be original Marvel Comics shows debuting as well?
So far, Disney has announced a fantastic lineup coming in the future. Loki will star Tom Hiddleston and follow the tales of the God of Mischief. WandaVision (starring Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany) will follow the two Avengers and lovers Wanda Maximoff and the Vision.
— Tom Hiddleston (@twhiddleston) November 9, 2018
Marvel’s What If…? will highlight the comic book series What if?. There’a an untitled Hawkeye series that will hopefully feature Kate Bishop. Lastly, there’s the Falcon and the Winter Soldier series, which will probably get a name change (you know what I mean if you’ve seen Avengers: Endgame). While these may be the only shows announced so far, they surely won’t be the only shows to drop on the streaming platform.
Marvel is packed with characters and teams perfect for television. We’ve already seen Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. take off with unknown and new characters. Imagine what will happen if they use a well known heroes like Johnny Storm, Valkyrie or Wolverine?
Here are 15 projects that would be amazing additions to Disney Plus.
Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER..L to R: Ayo (Florence Kasumba) and Okoye (Danai Gurira)..Ph: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2018
15. World of Wakanda
Black Panther is one of the most popular movies among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s newest entities – and perhaps of all time.
It embodied everything people wanted from a comic book movie. Representation of people of color and women without it seeming forced or pandering. A phenomenal villain in Erik Killmonger that made everyone wonder if he was right despite being the antagonist. Most importantly, it had one heck of a story.
In the end, it left people wanting more. How do the people live their everyday lives? What else are they doing with the viranium? What other wonders and traditions haven’t we seen? A show highlighting all of this and more would be an instant success.
The name of the movie may have been Black Panther and T’Challa may have been the star, but he wasn’t the best part of the movie. Characters like Okoye and M’Baku stole the show whenever they were on the screen. Both of them are major players in Wakanda. M’Baku and Okoye may be the toughest and most respected person in the nation.
How did Okoye become the head of the Dora Milaje? How do they train them to become one? Why are they only women? All of these questions could be answered in a season. They could then move on to M’Baku and his people.
Every season could show more of Wakanda and answer all our questions. There’s no way this show would fail.
Show title: World of Wakanda
Marvel Studios’ THOR: RAGNAROK..Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson)..Ph: Teaser Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2017
14. Valkyrie
Warning, Avengers: Endgame spoilers are discussed in this slide.
Valkyrie was one of the best parts of Thor: Ragnarok. She had all of the personality and toughness you’d expect from a Valkyrie and we haven’t seen the best of her yet. After all, if she was good enough to get the respect of the Grandmaster (who’s the epitome of a primadonna) then you know she has the goods.
In Avengers: Endgame, Thor left Earth and joined the (As)Guardians of the Galaxy. Before he departed, he relinquished his title of king and put Valkyrie in charge. He said that he couldn’t think of anyone better suited to lead New Asgard.
Valkyrie was a warrior before Thor could lift a weapon to fight. He may not have even been born. Her leading New Asgard is funny considering how much she once hated the gods of Asgard. Now that she’s let go of her anger, though, she’s the right person to lead them to glory.
Valkyrie is a phenomenal character and Tessa Thompson has been flawless playing her. She can be a leader and there could be flashbacks of her time as a Valkyrie as well.
Beyond Valkyrie, there’s also the idea of the gods and mortals interacting with each other like in the comics.
During this time a god named Kelda met a humble a mortal named Bill. Despite the two of them being from two completely different worlds, they fell in love. After Bill died, she became heartbroken. Stories like this would grasp at the hearts of viewers.
Show title: Valkyrie: Ruler of New Asgard
Marvel’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier..Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders)..Ph: Zade Rosenthal..© 2014 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.
13. Maria Hill
Maria Hill has been a side character for her entire stint in the MCU. Despite rarely being seen, we know that she is one of the few people in this world that Nick Fury trusts.
In Avengers: Age of Ultron, she was with him on the helicarrier saving the people of Sokovia. In the recent Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer, she’s right by Fury’s side again. In the comic books, Maria Hill is ruthless and take charge.
There’s no reason to believe that she would be anything less in a series of her own. Maria Hill has been underused so far. Marvel Comics fans know she has what it takes to be in charge. As of now, she’s with Nick Fury. However, that doesn’t have to stay like this.
It’s unknown if the rules on superheroes having to register is still in affect. If it is, someone has to police them. Maria Hill may see a need to be the one in charge. It may not be the popular thing to do, but it may have to be done.
Programs like Breaking Bad, The Shield, and The Sopranos have shown that villains can be leads. This should be no different here. People will love to hate all of the decisions that Maria Hill makes. Especially if she betrays Fury. They’ll tune in every week in hopes that the person who betrayed him is taken down. If Loki can be a villain and get a show, why not her?
Show title: Maria Hill: Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
MARVEL’S AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. – “Window of Opportunity” – While Fitz and Enoch struggle in space, Sarge and his team move forward with their mysterious mission on Earth on “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,” FRIDAY, MAY 17 (8:00-9:00 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network. (ABC/Mitch Haaseth)
MING-NA WEN
12. Melinda May
Like most of the on characters Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Melinda May made her first appearance in the pilot. Unlike the rest of them, Melinda skyrocketed into popularity before the midseason break in Season 1.
She was intense, smart, and loved amazing at what she did. May wasn’t goofy or funny like the rest of her teammates, but that worked. She was a welcomed break from the silliness. She added a dose of reality and discipline when it was needed. It can be debated that May has been the most consistently great character in the show from start to finish.
Before Melinda May was one of Phil Coulson’s Agents of S.H.I.E.LD. (post The Avengers) she was known for having an upbeat personality. After she had to kill a young kid endangering people, May became seemingly emotionless. As you’d expect, killing a kid (dangerous or not) will change you. While we’ve heard what Phil Coulson said she was like before, it would be great to actually see it.
Her time training to be the bad-@$$ she became, the adventures she’s been on, and the lighter side of her before the incident all make for great content… even if they have to recast the role to explore a younger version of the character.
Depending on how the final season of Agents of S.H.I.E.LD. ends, we could see her go on solo adventures in the present as well.
Show title: Melinda May: The Calvary
Marvel’s Ant-Man..L to R: Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson)..Photo Credit: Zade Rosenthal..© Marvel 2014
11. Cassie Lang
Warning, Avengers: Endgame spoilers are discussed in this slide.
Cassie Lang started in the MCU as Scott Lang’s daughter. She was the cute kid that fit perfectly with the theme of the movie. It added heartbreak when Scott couldn’t see her after prison in Ant-Man and warmth when you saw him playing burglar with him in Ant-Man and The Wasp.
During Avengers: Endgame, five years went by in real time. For Scott, it was five hours, but in that time, Cassie grew up in the real world. We have no idea what she went through in the time her father was gone. What we do know is that she loved her father and may want to become a hero like him.
Cassie Lang is a hero in Marvel Comics and one of the original Young Avengers. She’s also one of the few left from the original roster that’s still a hero. We may not know how old Cassie is now, but she can still be a hero. In the comics, she goes by Stature because of her ability to grow and become a giant. She also goes by Ant-Girl because she can shrink to ant size as well.
Cassie’s show could be her becoming a superhero all while dealing with her time as a teenager. There will always be a market for for shows geared towards teenagers. The superhero aspect will be an added bonus that will also connect to the MCU.
Show title: Ant-Girl
Marvel Studios’ CAPTAIN MARVEL..L to R: Korath (Djimon Hounsou), Att-Lass (Algenis Perez Soto), Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), Bron-Char (Rune Temte) and Minn-Erva (Gemma Chan) ..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2019
10. The Kree
The Kree are possibly the most advanced race of beings in the galaxy. Most of their technology has far surpassed anything we’ve seen and they continue to evolve. However, they’re also the most deplorable people in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as their intelligence is only matched by their hubris.
The Kree assume they know better than everyone in the galaxy and will fight, rob, and kill anyone who tries to say otherwise. In Guardians of the Galaxy we saw that they don’t care enough to stop their rogue citizens when they didn’t stand against Ronan the Accuser. Even though it almost caused the destruction of another planet.
If the Kree are so deplorable, then why would they make such a great program? People will tune in weekly to watch them lose. The Supreme Intelligence needs to be taken down a peg, their Accusers are without mercy, and the military they send after people don’t think about their actions. They just do as they’re told.
Beyond them losing, a show about the Kree could be about the one soldier who went against tradition. They could be working from within or be hunted as they try to avoid Kree execution. Think of all the planets they could venture to on top of the cameos. This would be a winner.
Show title: The Kree Empire
Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics
9. Wonder Man
Simon Williams is an Avenger named Wonder Man. Other than to comic book fans, he’s not well known. However, he’s one of the strongest characters in the Marvel comics, so much so that he took on Captain Marvel once during his short stint as a villain and won.
What makes him so wonderful (pun intended)? It’s everything outside of his life of a superhero that makes him the perfect choice for a show.
When Simon Williams isn’t flying through the air or punching people, he’s an actor trying to get a role. There have been more than a few issues where he’s talking to his agent and he’s getting offered roles he doesn’t want. For example, in Mighty Avengers, he was offered a role in a reality TV show and he refused. A series revolving around him trying to get roles all while being a hero would work beautifully.
There’s another angle that works as well. Currently, Wonder Man is a pacifist. He looked inside himself and felt like that fighting wasn’t going to solve any problems in the world. Instead of doing the same thing over and over, he decided to try something new. What could have happened to turn him into a pacifist in the TV is something original and has the potential to be fun.
Show title: Wonder Man!
Marvel’s Iron Man 3..L to R: Harley Keener (Ty Simpkins) and Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.)..Photo Credit: Film Frame..© Marvel 2013
8. Ty Simpkins
Warning, Avengers: Endgame spoilers are discussed in this slide.
The new Spider-Man: Far From Home trailer shows that Peter Parker will be taking a giant leap in being a superhero. After going into space (Avengers: Infinity War) and helping defeat Thanos and his minions (Avengers: Endgame) it makes sense – especially since the world knew that Spider-Man was Iron Man’s protégé.
The preview also showed that Peter seemed hesitant to take over as the new Iron Man, despite Nick Fury saying he should. Peter taking over would be a stretch. Spidey is nothing like Iron Man and Peter isn’t like Tony Stark. Good thing there’s another character in the MCU who’s similar to Tony in personality and has the potential to be just as smart.
Iron Man 3 isn’t looked at as a good movie. One thing that people did enjoy, however, was the relationship between Tony and the young kid Ty Simpkins. Both Stark and Ty are sure of themselves. You could see that Ty was going to have the same kind of arrogance and manipulative behavior that Stark had.
At the end of Avengers: Endgame we saw a more grown up Ty Simpkins at Tony’s funeral. It would be cool to see him attempt to become the new Iron Man. Tony must have kept in contact with him over the years and left him something in his will. It would be cool to see Ty in Spider-Man: Far From Home. Maybe Peter will give him the keys to the Iron Man castle.
Show title: Invincible Iron Man
Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics
7. Emma Frost
Emma Frost had a bad debut in X-Men: Days of the Future Past. She barely had any screen time. Nowhere near enough to really get into how powerful or arrogant she truly is. All we found out is that she’s a telepath who can turn her skin into diamond and uses sex as a weapon.
Emma Frost is so much more than that. She can be one of the most creative people when it comes to using her powers. In Astonishing X-Men, she used her powers to make two henchman vomit uncontrollably anytime they heard the words parsley, intractable, and longitude. She wasn’t always like this. In fact, she wasn’t always blonde.
Emma Frost does come from a wealthy family. But she wasn’t always the confident and manipulative person she is today. She was insecure and intimidated by her peers. When she was offered her father’s fortune, she walked out and decided to make her own way. Emma’s origin from riches, to rags, to power and wealth would be interesting to watch unfold in a Disney Plus series.
There are parts of her life before, during, and after her time with the Hellfire Club that are worth talking about. Even better is that she doesn’t have to be part of the X-Men. There could be an arc where she opens up the school in Massachusetts like she did in the comics. Emma Frost’s story has the potential to be a big time hit.
Show title: Heart of Diamond
Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics
6. Avengers Academy
After the Superhero Registration Act was removed, a problem still remained: People with powers still needed to be trained. That was one of the few things Steve Rogers and Tony Stark agreed on.
Shortly after, a school for kids with powers was opened. The first recruits were Finesse, Hazmat, Mettle, Reptil, Striker, and Veil. Each of them were victims of Norman Osborn’s Dark Reign who had the potential to become villains. They may not be well known characters, but this works in their favor.
One of the biggest complaints with people and comic book movies is that actors don’t have the same personalities as the characters they’re based on. Since none of the these characters are mainstream it allows the writers to adjust them as they seem fit. Even if they don’t, their personalities and issues are enough to keep the show going.
Finesse is burdened by the need to learn everything she can to gain knowledge and skill. Because of this she ends up at odds with her friends and mentor because she can be selfish. Reptil wants to be the best hero he can be, but struggles with his naive tendencies. Striker is an arrogant jerk who has an obsession with fame. And Veil hates her powers and just wants to be normal.
Even with their insecurities, they manage to cope and find happiness within each other. This series could then end with them becoming full time Avengers – and possibly crossing into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Show Title: Avengers Academy
Marvel Studios’ AVENGERS: ENDGAME..Nebula (Karen Gillan)..Photo: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2019
5. Nebula
Nebula had one of the toughest childhoods in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Like Gamora, she was taken from her home planet after Thanos and his army killed her parents. He then raised them as sisters, but made them fight each other. Each time Gamora beat Nebula, he removed one of her body parts and replaced it with machinery. The idea was to make her Gamora’s equal.
Unfortunately, Gamora never lost. This caused Nebula to resent Gamora and it was years before she got over that animosity. Just as Nebula and Gamora started to form a bond, Gamora was killed by Thanos to gain the Soul Stone.
Nebula must have gone on a ton of missions when they were younger. A series based on Nebula could highlight her life and battles when she was young. This could give us a deeper look into her relationship with Gamora and Thanos and could also lead into a show about Nebula’s future.
Will she stay with the Guardians of the Galaxy if they find Gamora? Maybe, but her solo adventures in TV form would be amazing. She could still be a mercenary all while trying to evolve as a person. Nebula is one of the most underrated characters in the MCU. She’s earned a spot to get her own solo run. A show gives her more time to explore who she really is.
Show title: Daughter of Thanos
Image Source: Marvel Digital Comics
4. Sentry
There are few characters in the Marvel Universe that have the power of The Sentry. It can be debated that he’s even stronger than Superman – in the comics The Sentry is powerful enough to fight the God of War Ares and rip him in half! The problem is Sentry is absolutely crazy.
Sentry has multiple personalities. He has his civilian identity, Robert Reynolds; his superhero persona, The Sentry; and his identity as The Void, who’s also his enemy, and they all think independently. Because of this he’s been manipulated easy and often. The combination of power and flaws make him an interesting character.
He hasn’t made his debut in the MCU yet and before he does, putting his origin in a TV show is the way to go.
There have been a couple of origin stories on how Robert Reynolds became the Sentry. One story says he was like Captain America and only he could take the serum because he was a good wholesome person. The other says he was an drug addict looking for his next fix. The latter is a sadder story, but it’s the best one.
Stories of triumph, from tragedy and addiction are some of the best. Reynolds has that in spades. It would be a new and interesting take on what superheroes go through.
Show title: Meet the Sentry
Image Source: Digital Marvel Comics
3. Wolverine
“I’m the best there is at what he does. But what I do isn’t very nice.” This is the phrase Wolverine uses more often than not. The good thing about it is it’s true.
Wolverine is one of the best fighters in the Marvel Universe. He’s gone up against the best and either held his own or won the fight. While that’s all well and good, it isn’t the fighting that makes him a perfect pick for a show. It’s his long history of becoming a hero on top of his depth that does it.
Wolverine has lived more lives than almost anyone. He’s been a soldier, spy, brainwashed villain, samurai, assassin, and so much more. This is one of the reasons why the Wolverine movies always left something to be desired. There’s so much ground to cover in a short amount. For example, The Wolverine could have been expanded into two seasons worth of a Disney Plus show. His time becoming a samurai and meeting Ogun is one and then meeting Mariko Yashida and falling in love could’ve been another.
Logan can be completely separate from the X-Men and the MCU if they decide to keep him away. This gives the writers more room to play with things. The tragedy he’s endured gives the audience a reason to feel for him while his formerly terrible behavior gives people a reason to despise him.
Show title: The best there is
Photo Credit: Linda Kallerus/Netflix from Iron Fist
2. The Iron Fists
Netflix’s Iron Fist came to an end after two seasons. It was reported that it was due to its low ratings. However, Daredevil was also canceled and it was one of Netflix’s most watched shows. The sad part was Iron Fist ended on such a high note.
Colleen Wing gets control of the Iron Fist and channel’s the power through her sword. We see Danny Rand months in the future and he was shooting bullets made out of chi. Colleen finds out that she’s a descendant of an Iron Fist and Danny is going after a former Iron Fist named Orson Randall. This left people curious about the lineage of the Iron Fist. Why wonder when we could see it?
Danny Rand may be done, but he wasn’t close to being the first Iron Fist. The lineage of the Iron Fist fist dates back to the days of the woolly mammoth. There are thousands of Iron Fist stories that could be told. Entire episodes or seasons could dedicated to each them.
There’s The Pirate Queen of Pinghai Bay Wu Ao-Shi. The stories say she shot arrows from the sky that looked like lightning from god. Bei Bang-Wen used his powers to create perfect strategies. There’s also Orson Randall who taught Danny new tricks in the comics. Other Iron Fists could be created as well. Ones with different powers and skills. The options are almost limitless.
Show title: The Immortal Iron Fists
Credit: Marvel Studios for Marvel’s Black Panther — Letitia Wright as Princess Shuri
1. Shuri
Shuri popped on the scene and was immediately embraced by the fans. It wasn’t just her humor or the relationship with her brother T’Challa. Shuri is one of the smartest people in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Even Bruce Banner marveled at her genius in Avengers: Infinity War.
Black Panther ended with T’Challa and Shuri in California. T’Challa said he wanted her to start a science and information exchange in the first Wakanda International Outreach Center. This is the perfect project for Shuri to start her own solo project.
Shuri is on her own in a new world with the chance to create something of her own outside of Wakanda. While she’s not the fighter her brother and Okoye are, it won’t stop her from protecting innocent people. She could be the protector of Compton taking on the problems too big for the police.
We saw glimpse of what Shuri can do in the lab and on the battlefield. Giving her a solo show could expand on that.
In the comic books, she was skilled enough to become the Black Panther. She combined her technology and fighting skill to crush her enemies. We may not see Shuri become the Black Panther in the MCU, but that doesn’t mean she can’t have solo adventures on Disney Plus.
We’d get all of the humor and personality we loved from the movies on top of some cool technology and weapons. Of all the ideas here, Shuri’s would easily be the best.
Show title: Compton’s Protector