Recently, Thor: Love and Thunder added two new iconic characters an elite pantheon in the MCU and it wasn't Gorr, Zeus, Mighty Thor or Hercules, but rather two giant screaming goats named Toothgrinder and Toothgnasher.

They are the latest in the long line of fun animal heroes and companions in the films and tv shows, joining characters like Alligator Loki, Pizza Dog, Morris, and Goose the Flerken. There are still several more animal characters waiting in the wings for their chance to shine. Some are cute, some are funny, and some are just downright dangerous, but they all should come into play sometime in the future of the MCU.

Lockjaw

An image of Lockjaw in Inhumans

Now, technically Lockjaw has been featured in the MCU since it was a main character in Inhumans. However, that’s seemingly been decanonized or relegated to an alternative universe adjacent to the MCU. Anson Mount did cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but Ms. Marvel did then possibly put the nail in the coffin by defining Kamala Khan as a mutant rather than an inhuman. Therefore, inhumans, and thus Lockjaw, probably don’t have a future in the MCU.

However, the case could be made specifically for Lockjaw to feature sometime in the future. He is a giant bulldog capable of teleporting practically anywhere, which makes him such a popular companion and ally. Since he’s worked extensively with Ms. Marvel perhaps he could be incorporated into her story still going forward. With Lockjaw, then could also come other members of the Pet Avengers – who could end up making a fun animated series in or out of the MCU like What If…? or Spider-Man: Freshman Year.

Redwing

Redwing

Redwing is also technically in the MCU, but not in all his feathered glory. Introduced in Captain America: Civil War, the MCU’s Redwing is a drone as part of Falcon’s – now Captain America’s – wingsuit. He’s actually gone through three different iterations of Redwing drones, with his most recent in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier being made by his Wakandan allies as part of his new suit. As such, it’ll likely return in the recently announced, Captain America: New World Order.

However, it would still be great to get the real Redwing in the mix, though he and Sam wouldn’t necessarily have to possess the telepathic link they develop in the comics. Introducing Redwing could also lead to the enhancement of Sam’s friend Joaquín Torres, who became a birdman and the second Falcon. Torres was introduced in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and ended up in possession of Sam’s old wingsuit, so it looks like they’re setting him up as the next Falcon, regardless. It could still be fun to see Sam as Captain America flying alongside both Redwings.

Zabu

Zabu Marvel Comics

One of the many easter eggs in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness showed what is likely Savage Land. It’s a large and relatively secret oasis in Antarctica in which dinosaurs and prehistoric beasts roam, first introduced in 1941 and established by the godlike beings called the Beyonders. Among its denizens is Ka-Zar and his smilodon companion, Zabu. It does seem likely that the MCU will soon venture to the Savage Land and thus Ka-Zar and Zabu will come into play.

In fact, they would be characters worthy of their Disney+ show like Moon Knight and She-Hulk. Zabu and Ka-Zar became incredibly loyal to each other after saving each other during a fight that resulted in the death of Ka-Zar’s father. They fought together with and against the X-Men, Spider-Man, and the resident villain of the Savage Land, Sauron. As such, there are plenty of ways to introduce them into the MCU.

Fin Fang Foom

Fin Fang Foom

There are many dragons from Marvel Comics worthy to join the MCU. A few have already done so, such as the Great Protector in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings or Shou-Lou in Iron Fist. In fact, Shang-Chi might also be signaling to another dragon to join the MCU – this time coming from space. Fin Fang Foom is a Makluan, a shape-shifting alien most often posing as a dragon, who most often opposes Iron Man, though that could change in the MCU.

Along with being a giant and superstrong force, Fin Fang Foom is also highly adept with technology – perhaps like the ten rings, which are Makluan in origin in the comics. He could come into play in Shang-Chi 2 or eventually a War Machine solo film after Armor Wars.

Devil Dinosaur

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur

Another character could find its place in the MCU through the Savage Land or at least from one of the alternate Earths in the Multiverse. Devil Dinosaur is a giant, red, and intelligent dinosaur first created by legendary comics creator, Jack Kirby in 1978, hoping to take advantage of the eternal popularity of dinosaurs among young audiences. It is most commonly associated with his companions Moon Boy, a small monkey-like humanoid, and Moon Girl, a nine-year-old genius prodigy.

Though they’ve only started teaming up in 2016, most likely if they would ever come to the MCU, they’d pick Moon Girl to join Devil Dinosaur. They have a special bond compared to him and Moon Boy. In fact, they are getting their own animated series, Moon Boy and Devil Dinosaur on Disney Channel. Perhaps that can build interest in them joining live-action like other obscure or underrated heroes.

Thori

Thori in Marvel Comics

Thor’s already got some animal companions with Toothgrinder and Toothgnasher but it looks like he probably left them in New Asgard when ventured out on his adventure with his new daughter, Love. Therefore, they could be interested in expanding their family by at least one and thus Thori should come into play. He is one of the pups of Garm and Hel Wolf, two other Asgardian hellhounds.

Thori was actually raised primarily by Kid Loki, though he eventually went on to accompany Thor. Since he is a hellhound he has some extraordinary abilities that would be quite funny to watch Thor contend with, such as being able to speak and breathe fire. Fans would likely have to wait a long while to ever see Thori in the MCU since Thor 5 has yet to be announced – though he could alternatively be introduced in Loki or another tv show centered on an Asgardian character.

Bats

Bats and Doctor Strange Talking

There are plenty of dogs in Marvel Comics, but no one as unique as Doctor Strange’s ghost dog, Bats. Doctor Strange adopted Bats when he was working as a veterinarian after being replaced as Sorcerer Supreme by Loki. He was already quite old so when Doctor Strange and Loki started fighting and Bats tried to help, his heart gave out and he died. However, he eventually came back as a ghost and has been alongside Doctor Strange since.

This would be a fantastic story element for Doctor Strange in the MCU, especially because if anyone, Benedict Cumberbatch could certainly act opposite an imaginary dead dog. It would be quite tragic for audiences to watch this dog die onscreen, so perhaps his origins could be adapted to being his childhood dog reanimated as a specter. Even more so, he could eventually join up with other characters like Lockjaw and Zabu as part of the Pet Avengers.

Lockheed

Kitty Pryde and Lockheed

The new series Ms. Marvel utterly changed the pace and future of the MCU when it adapted Kamala’s origins and established her as a mutant. This ripped the door wide open to finally incorporate mutants and thus, the X-Men into the franchise. Though nothing of the sort was announced recently at Comic-Con, hope is still high they will come into play steadily over the Multiverse Saga. One such X-Men who many fans hope features early on is Kitty Pryde and when she’s introduced it could also help introduce her pet dragon, Lockheed.

Lockheed actually made his live-action debut in The New Mutants as Magik’s companion. He is a small, purple, dragon-like alien who develops a deep and empathic bond with Pryde. He is quite intelligent, even capable of speaking English, and a brave and loyal warrior among his people. Overall, it would be a very welcome sight to see him nestled on Kitty Pryde’s shoulder when she finally makes her way to the MCU.

Cerberus

Cerberus Fighting Iron Man

One of the most exciting moments in Thor: Love and Thunder comes in the mid-credits stinger when Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein is introduced as Hercules. He is a longtime Avengers member and since Zeus was featured, it was no surprise to see him, but it looks like they might be making him somewhat of an antagonist, at least at the beginning of whatever film he next appears in. Now that the Olympians are in the MCU, it's likely so will their enemies and monsters, including Cerberus.

The three-headed dog is a popular character from Greek mythology, with ties to the Twelve Labors of Hercules. This could mean it would feature in a training-flashback montage showing the labors and how Hercules came to be. Alternatively – or additionally – Cerberus could find itself in the modern world in this war Zeus intends to wage upon the “newer gods.”  Regardless, Hercules will probably be there to defeat him like he’s done in the comics.

Alpine

Not every great pet or animal character is an exceptionally powerful superhero or extradimensional beast. Some of the best are just pets doing what they do best, being pets. That’s the case for Winter Soldier’s cat, Alpine. She only came into his life in 2018 and it’s a perfect union. Before The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it would’ve seemed strange for Bucky to adopt a cat, but now after his emotional and mental journey, he is in the right place for one.

Alpine wouldn’t go on to join the Pet Avengers and help save the world. However, she could still help in a great way by being a loyal companion to Bucky and really showing him that he is deserving of love. Sebastian Stan’s next project in the MCU as Bucky is still a secret, but it looks like it could be Captain America: New World Order and/or Thunderbolts, and in either, Alpine should definitely be introduced.

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