Marvel's recent announcement at San Diego Comic-Con has laid out its plans for the MCU for the next three years, leaving fans ecstatic for the future. While more comic book favorites are planned to be re-imagined in upcoming cinematic adaptations, worlds will begin to collide, as the over-saturation of superheroes in the MCU landscape causes fan favorites to team up.
This has already been seen in Falcon and the Winter Soldier as well as the upcoming movie The Marvels, ushering in a potential era of dynamic duos. While Marvel Comics is no stranger to superhero team-ups, the immanent introductions of flagship characters from all corners of the Marvel universe to the MCU has presented a world of possibilities, causing fans to speculate which comic book duos will appear on the big screen.
Jean Grey & Cyclops
The mutant power couple with a love story as well known as the Titanic, and defined by just as much tragedy. As a vessel for the Phoenix Force, Jean's mortality has been under constant threat. Her relationship with Scott Summers has suffered from these circumstances, having lost the love of his life to the Phoenix Force only for her to be resurrected later. Despite these trials and tribulations, the love birds prove to be a force to be reckoned with, both finding a home in the X-Men and a family in each other.
As some of the first members of the X-Men, Jean Grey, and Scott Summers have had their teenage years to learn to work with each other. With Jean's telepathy, and Cyclops' optic blasts, the two displayed a combination of mental and physical strength formidable to some of the X-Men's most notable opponents. With the introduction of mutants in the MCU, the X-men's debut is to be expected, giving the mutant couple hope for a third adaptation.
Professor X and Magneto
The constant cycle of conflict and compromise between these long-time friends has shaped the state of the Marvel Universe on numerous occasions. The clash of ideologies has been a defining aspect of their relationship, as the colleagues share a similar goal for mutant prosperity, even if they differ on what role humans play in this.
Despite their differences, the respect the two have for one another allows them to join forces when met with a common threat. This has been seen when facing high-level threats to their fellow mutants, whether it is the Sentinels, Hydra, or even members of their fellow hero community. Their immanent MCU debut will give them various opportunities to unite for the fate of mutant kind.
Shang-Chi & Iron Fist
Shang-Chi and Iron Fist have had a fairly competitive relationship. The duo's first team-up excited fans so much that they would meet again in future comics displaying their martial arts-based skill sets side by side.
With the Iron Fist series officially being taken into the fold of MCU cannon and comic lure placing both heroes at odds with the same criminal organization, known as the Hand, these heroes will inevitably meet in the MCU.
Spider-man & Black Cat
Black Cat's partnership with the web-slinger has always had its ups and downs. Her infatuation with Spider-man is in constant competition with her need to steal valuable items. While their romance is consistently doomed by their differing priorities, their partnership continues to benefit them mutually here and there.
The MCU's conclusion for the third spider-man movie places the web-slinger in a more grounded chapter in the hero's life of crime fighting. This allows the MCU to get back to basics with the Spider-man allure, paving the way for Peter Parker and Felicia Hardy's paths to cross, with or without their masks.
Wolverine & Nightcrawler
The unlikely pair have virtually nothing in common except for their appreciation for beer, however, over time the two outcasts build a profound friendship that transcends their differences. Nightcrawler's upbeat and playful nature would typically be off-putting to a closed-off individual such as Wolverine, but an exception seems to be made for his good friend.
While both characters have had their fair share of movie adaptations, the dynamic portrayed in various comics hasn't been presented on the big screen. With the presence of mutants in the MCU already being established, the exploration of this odd couple could be a unique and enjoyable aspect of any potential movie adaptations.
Human Torch & Spider-Man
The Human Torch, and Spider-man have been a force to be reckoned with across various comic adaptations. While their friendship started rocky, it grew to be one of the most iconic duos in the Marvel universe. Over the course of several decades, across the infinite multi-verse, the friendship of Spider-man and the Human Torch is a constant in the Marvel Universe.
At first, their team-ups occurred somewhat begrudgingly, but over time they began to confide in one another, and with that came a level of understanding that would bond the two forever. The upcoming Fantastic Four movie is scheduled to be released in 2024 in a universe where a young Peter Parker fights crime in complete ambiguity, setting the perfect conditions for Marvel's number 1 bromance to hit the big screen.
Wolverine & Storm
As veteran members of the X-Men, Logan and Ororo are accustomed to working together. The years spent training and fighting side by side have allowed them to build chemistry in combat. This has been displayed in comic books for fans to see, however, what has been less obvious over the years is the on and off romance the two have had during their time as teammates.
After dropping various hints of their secret romance, the couple was inevitably revealed to fans in both Earth 616 and the Ultimate universe. Between Wolverine's tragic romantic history and Storm's independent nature, the unlikely pair were destined to separate. Nevertheless, the re-imagining of the X-Men in the MCU will allow Marvel fans to see their favorite mutants in a whole new light.
She-Hulk & Captain Marvel
Carol Danvers and Jennifer Walters have teamed up numerous times. The mutual respect they have for one another as heroes allow them to work together in various team-ups. Whether that is as members of the Avengers or as leaders of their super group, the A-Force. The collective strength between the two heroes is greater than any duo seen in the MCU.
Throughout their various interactions in the comics, it can be seen that the two are very close and are like-minded in the way they seek out justice and protect the vulnerable. With the She-Hulk series soon to be released on Diseney+ and Carol Danvers scheduled to be a part of another team-up in The Marvels, it is not out of the realm of possibility that Danvers and Walters join forces in MCU.
Dr. Doom & Namor
First crossing paths in Fantastic Four #6, Doom turns the king of Atlantis against Marvel's first family. Their partnership is one built on mistrust and deceit, nevertheless, they join forces to conquer common enemies and accomplish common goals in the pursuit of power.
An alliance of two super-villains that rule their respective homeland would be significant in an MCU where the fights between heroes and villains often have geopolitical consequences. With Namor scheduled to make his cinematic debut in Wakanda Forever and Doom confirmed to be making an appearance in an upcoming storyline, this duo's impact on the Marvel Universe would fit very well in the MCU storyline.
Spider-man & Deadpool
This bromance is as toxic as it is entertaining, Spider-man and Deadpool's relationship has been well documented in various comics. Despite their similar appearances the two are opposites, one is a textbook hero, while the other serves his brand of justice as he sees fit. The masked vigilantes have been at odds a fair amount but despite this their partnership continues to evolve into the odd couple crime-fighting duo comic fans can't get enough of.
Deadpool's reckless and dangerous methods cause the wall-crawler to act as the no-nonsense, play-by-the-book partner in the buddy cop dynamic the two frequently fall into. Despite this adjustment, the two always seem to get the job done. With the Deadpool franchise joining the MCU family and the recent spider-man trilogy leaving fans wanting more, it is a no-brainer that these two be made to meet on the big screen.