Marvel Studios has a brand-new bag of whimsy for us to unwrap in 2025, including The Russo Brothers and RDJ making a majestic return to the screen, a path for real "fantastic" origins, a few favorite characters making a comeback, and more for TV.
But what else could we get? If we wanted to be greedy--and face it, fandoms only want--about 2025, where else could surprises hail? What other characters could these new projects introduce to unveil in post-credit scenes? How can we connect what's in store for us in the rejuvenated "Multiverse Saga?" Of course, Kevin Feige and the gang have ideas, but we do, too.
Like us, your humble servants at Bam Smack Pow.
1. Ready Set ZEMO
Although the Thunderbolts are named after Gen. Thaddeus Ross, he is not the one who put the band of misfits together. That honor goes to Baron Helmut Zemo (Daniel Brühl), of Captain America: Civil War and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier fame.
In late 2023, Brühl was "unlikely to return" to the MCU in Thunderbolts. But about Marvel Studios, where all things are possible, hopefully making that request, the actor said he "would probably not say no." Of course not. And miss winning the lottery?
Zemo is not only pivotal to Captain America, but to the Thunderbolts. There is opportunity all over this film given that connection because it could bring back Hydra in serious form. As Bucky said to Zemo in Civil War, we would be "ready to comply" if this happened on screen.
2. Going Code Red
Come Valentine's Day 2025, we have a timely red Hulk (Harrison Ford) coming to theaters to smash Captain America (Anthony Mackie). From this anticipated, we have two questions:
- Since Harrison Ford can't do mocap for much longer (face it, Han Solo, is an octogenarian), who will become the third Gen. Ross?
- Where does Ross and his alter ego go from here?
Only Kevin Feige's legion of casting directors can answer the first question, let's focus on what could happen for the second. In Marvel Comics, Ross is obviously connected to the Thunderbolts (coming to theaters on May 2). However, The IncREDible Hulk is also known for an appealing faction called "Code Red."
Originally, this was a group of mercenaries hired to hunt down Tier 3 character, Domino (seen in Deadpool 2, played by Zazie Beetz). She mistakenly saw Red Hulk devolve into Gen. Ross. Given how the general wants his top-secret scarlet friend to stay that way, he assembles Punisher, Deadpool, Thundra, Elektra, and Crimson Dynamo XII to fetch Domino. She has friends with X-Force and some sweet battles ensue.
If you're doing the homework, all characters have indirect connections to the MCU. Thundra is usually connected to The Fantastic Four, Punisher just became MCU canon (which includes Daredevil and Elektra), and Crimson Dynamo XII is a Russian scientist who is connected to none other than Black Widow.
C'mon Santa. Make this happen.
3. Retool Heroes for Hire
The Netflix/Marvel combo platter was as close to splendor as streaming superheroes can get. And then Finn Jones showed up with Iron Fist. This is one of the best martial artists in any comic, anywhere. Let's just say that dude needed to brush up on his white belt moves. But when Season 2 arrived, Jones was much improved following training, The Defenders, and hearing what the Marvel fandom thought.
The teases for "Heroes for Hire" were in both Luke Cage and Iron Fist. And given where Marvel Entertainment was taking the man from K'un-L'un, in addition to what we know now in "The Multitude Saga," the comic sub-franchise had plenty of life in that engine. We met Misty Knight and Colleen Wing. We know how Shang-Chi and Paladin can liven things up. Then, Puppet Master, Scourge, El Aguila, and eventually some friendly mutants?!
Can we please call Cheo Hodari Coker like yesterday to bring back the swag to Marvel Studios, Luke Cage, and the Heroes?!
4. Want to Play Some Ikari
You may not have heard of Ikari, but hopefully Daredevil: Born Again can remedy that. This is a relatively new character to the comics, first appearing in "Daredevil #25" (2011) by Mark Waid and Chris Samnee. Ikari, who is also loosely known as "Reverse Daredevil," has all the martial arts prowess of Hell's Kitchen's angel, but he has vision.
If Waid's name is familiar, it should be as his talents were a primary source of inspiration for the upcoming Fantastic Four project. Ikari has studied every martial art possible. (Think Neo getting that first download in The Matrix. Yes, Ikari knows Kung Fu, too.) We have met Kingpin, Bullseye, and Punisher of Daredevil's Rogues Gallery. Ikari would spark life unlike any other in what needs to be a trilogy movie series.
5. We Have a Secret...Empire
When we first met Riri Williams in Wakanda Forever, she said, "I want to build something undeniable." So do we, and have an idea how that could happen. In comics, Ironheart is a part of the 2017 storyline, "Secret Empire." Nick Spencer, who first entered the comic fray at Image Comics with his "Morning Glories" creation, is behind this Marvel evil organization.
With Ryan Coogler as an EP of the new Ironheart Disney+ series, there could be some impressive connections back in Wakanda. However, with the Secret Empire, we could be treated to some Captain America and Hydra alignments, including Baron Helmut Zemo from our first note on this Marvel Studios' wish list. Defending the entire nation against Hydra? Yes, please.
6. A Villain of Galactus Proportion
Marvel Studios already bottled up the anticipation about Galactus. We know Ralph Inseon (The VVitch, Game of Thrones) is playing the devourer of worlds in the MCU. We also know Kevin Feige loves the classics. When Stan Lee and Jack Kirby first brought us Galactus in "Fantastic Four #48" in 1961, he has never been more powerful. And that is the way he should remain. (Thor can kill him? Whatevs.)
If Matt Shakman follows suit, we could get "Thanos, who?" Galactus is a figure of universal might and the dynamic between him, Lady Surfer, and the much-improved Dr. Doom stands to be riveting. Considering in the World Eater's debut, the Fantastic Four threatened to destroy the universe with the Ultimate Nullifier, these "first steps" could be gigantic in new MCU shoes.
7. Leading 2025 With Intelligence
Although The Leader is more of a deep-cut character from Marvel Comics and Marvel Studios, the former "Mr. Blue" could give us some intriguing story angles. Now that we have the continuity of Tim Blake Nelson in MCU, it's going to be fantastic to see what he can do without his training wheels.
At the least, The Leaders remains aligned with Gen. Ross and becomes a vital contributor to the evil version of the Thunderbolts or develops the Intelligencia (which includes Dr. Doom). At the worst (for heroes of the MCU), The Leader could end up making a pact with Mephisto or creating the Humanoids.
Whichever way Feige goes with The Leader, there are many ways Samuel Stearns can create chaos for The Hulk--green or red.
8. Kraven's Comeback?
In a recent interview with "Phase Hero," Marvel TV grand poobah Brand Winderbaum said that the animated Disney+ series, "Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" is no longer MCU canon.
That may be a good thing. Winderbaum also noted that the animated series will hearken back to the Halcyon Days of Marvel Comics with Steve Ditko. Welp, if that's the case, do you know who was Spider-Man's first enemy? The Chameleon. The same one featured in Sony's Kraven the Hunter.
If Ditko is the core muse, and Winderbaum is going back that far without fear of canon, who knows? Maybe Fred Hechinger and Aaron Taylor-Johnson could call it a comeback. We all know they weren't the problem for that colossal flop.