Every Marvel Phase 1 Character Confirmed For MCU Phase 4

The Infinity Saga may be over, but Marvel's Phase 4 has already begun to bring back several familiar faces from the MCU Phase 1. Over eight years have passed since Phase 1 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe came to an end, but that hasn't meant that original characters couldn't appear in Phase 4 and beyond. In fact, a handful of major franchise figures that appeared in the first run of original franchise-starting movies are confirmed to appear in the next slate of titles, alongside those that have already returned. Following the end of the MCU's first era with Avengers: Endgame, Marvel Studios has begun a new chapter of the franchise, one that was kicked off with the arrival of WandaVision. This time around, a handful of TV series will make up part of the forthcoming Phase 4, giving familiar faces even more opportunities to expand their roles.

Phase 1 of the MCU first debuted with the release of Iron Man in 2008. Starring Robert Downey Jr. as the titular Marvel Comics character, the movie set the tone for what was to come. Following a shift to The Incredible Hulk, the MCU pivoted back to Tony Stark for Iron Man 2 film before introducing Thor and Captain America to the franchise with their own films. By laying down a solid foundation through several dynamic superheroes, the MCU was able to present its first epic team-up event in 2012's The Avengers.

Since the end of Phase 1, the MCU has greatly expanded by incorporating Ant-Man, Doctor Strange, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, and the Guardians of the Galaxy. While all of the aforementioned figures were integral to the climactic battle against Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, the MCU is looking to turn the page to Phase 4. With a slew of movie and TV titles in the mix, here's every Phase 1 character that will appear throughout Phase 4.

Natasha Romanoff As Black Widow

Not only will Natasha Romanoff be the first Phase 1 MCU character to appear in a Phase 4 movie, but she will be the first member of the original Avengers team to be the focus of the franchise's new chapter. The time for a solo Black Widow movie is long overdue, and unfortunately, Scarlett Johansson will be reprising a role that doesn't have much of a future beyond this flick. Despite being the MCU's 24th film, Black Widow is set prior to the events of Infinity War. While the story plans to unearth details regarding Nat's complicated past, the character is dead in the present timeline. After appearing in the franchise since 2010's Iron Man 2, Johansson may well be saying goodbye to the MCU after Black Widow.

Tonk Stark As Iron Man

Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark AKA Iron Man in Avengers Endgame

Natasha wasn't the only member of the original Avengers team to make the ultimate sacrifice in Endgame. Tony Stark, the character who launched the MCU in 2008, also met his demise in the fight against Thanos. His death, however, will not completely wipe the character from existence in the franchise. Despite rumors abounding that Robert Downey Jr. was set to appear in Black Widow, the character was actually left out of the movie after it hit the cutting room floor. However, it is always possible that Iron Man could appear in a future MCU project through a flashback or archival footage. Most likely contenders there could include Armor Wars and Ironheart, as well as the Spider-Man threequel, Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Thaddeus Ross

Thunderbolt Ross talking in Avengers Infinity War

Aside from Natasha, Black Widow also features at least one other Phase 1 character in Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross. The character, played by William Hurt, first appeared in 2008's The Incredible Hulk as an Army General hell-bent on hunting down Bruce Banner. Seeing as Black Widow takes place after Captain America: Civil War, Ross, the U.S. Secretary of State, is searching for those who went against the Sokovia Accords, including Nat. Ross serves as just another threat to Nat's freedom.

Thor

Even though several major Marvel characters have solo films in Phase 4, Thor is the only character to have a solo film in all four Phases of the MCU. Chris Hemsworth will return to play the God of Thunder for Thor: Love and Thunder in 2022. After three personal journeys and four Avengers films, the son of Odin still has plenty left in the tank to take on new dangers. Even after the next movie, Hemsworth plans on making future appearances in the MCU, and considering Thor is still young as an Asgardian, he has plenty of time left.

Jane Foster

Natalie Portman first appeared in Phase 1's Thor as astrophysicist Jane Foster who subsequently became the God of Thunder's love interest. The actress reprised her role for 2013's Thor: The Dark World, but she remained absent until being featured in Endgame through previously unused footage. The character is officially set to make her grand return in Love and Thunder, which will focus on Jane's journey in taking on the mantle of Thor.

Darcy Lewis

Kat Dennings was heavily present in Thor and The Dark World as Jane's intern, Darcy Lewis, but she too disappeared from the MCU after her initial two outings. Though it's unclear if the character will reunite with old friends in Thor's fourth adventure, Darcy did appear in WandaVision. The Disney+ series followed Wanda Maximoff and Vision following the tumultuous events of Endgame. WandaVision was the show that officially kicked off Phase 4 of the MCU, ushering in a new era of TV storytelling for the powerhouse Marvel franchise, and Darcy Lewis played a key role in the narrative.

Bucky Barnes As Winter Soldier

Bucky Barnes in Captain America The Winter Soldier

Initially intended to be the first Phase 4 TV series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier debuted as the second entry to Phase 4 of the MCU. Aside from Sam Wilson's struggle in taking over the role of Captain America, the Disney+ also gave focus to Bucky Barnes and his troubled life post-Endgame. After first joining the franchise in 2011 with Captain America: The First Avenger, Sebastian Stan reprised his role as the enhanced soldier and former assassin known as the Winter Soldier. Consisting of six episodes, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier gave some much-needed character depth and screentime to Bucky, with some memorable moments and ample time in the spotlight.

Loki

Besides WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Loki was another highly-anticipated Disney+ series that delivered in a big way for the MCU moving forward. Tom Hiddleston is as charming and characterful as ever in his role as the titular God of Mischief, reprising his role for a show that has changed the Marvel Cinematic Universe as fans know it. Despite the character's death in Infinity War, the version of Loki from Endgame obtained the Tesseract and was promptly captured by the TVA before setting out on a journey that would radically change the MCU. As Odin's adopted son, Loki has served as a key figure since Phase 1, appearing in Thor and The Avengers.

Clint Barton As Hawkeye

Clint Barton is yet another compelling MCU character to obtain a major opportunity as the focus of a Disney+ series that makes up Phase 4. The expert archer first appeared in Thor as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. before becoming a fully-fledged member of the titular team in The Avengers. Jeremy Renner's character continued being a crucial member of the primary team, but Clint is now ready to pass on the mantle in Hawkeye. The series will center on Kate Bishop's takeover of the superhero moniker while Clint acts as a mentor.

Nick Fury

It would be difficult to fathom another slate of MCU films without multiple appearances by Samuel L. Jackson as the former director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Nick Fury. Following the events of Captain Marvel, Fury will be a key player in the upcoming Secret Invasion series, for which casting has already announced an ensemble of major acting talent to accompany Jackson. Among Fury's other likely future MCU appearances are Spider-Man: No Way Home and The Marvels.

James Rhodes as War Machine

Like Happy Hogan and Pepper Potts, James 'Rhodey' Rhodes has been involved in the MCU for over a decade now. Don Cheadle took over the role from Terrence Howard in 2010 and has since played a key role as Iron Patriot and more recently, War Machine. The actor is confirmed to reprise his role in Armor Wars, but there is also a chance that he could appear in some capacity in Captain Marvel 2, given that there was a teased romantic connection with Carol Danvers that the climactic Avengers film never followed up on.

Bruce Banner on helicarrier in The Avengers

Although the Hulk was initially played by Edward Norton in the MCU during 2008's The Incredible Hulk, Mark Ruffalo took over as Bruce Banner before Phase 1 came to an end. Ruffalo has been most recently confirmed for a future franchise appearance in the upcoming She-Hulk TV series that will air on Disney+, but there is always potential that the character could appear in future Avengers movies or elsewhere.

Emil Blonsky

First appearing as an antagonist to Edward Norton's Hulk in the 2008 film, Abomination has not made any subsequent appearances in the MCU. However Marvel has confirmed that Roth will reprise the role alongside Ruffalo in the upcoming Disney+ show She-Hulk. Furthermore, recent trailers for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings have shown what looks like Abomination fighting in a tournament. It remains to be seen whether or not this is actually Abomination, though the She-Hulk confirmation increases that likeliness.

Every Other Phase 1 Character Returning For Marvel's What If...?

Captain Carter with Bucky and Dum Dum Dugan in What If?

There are a host of characters returning in Marvel's What If...?, which is an animated and episodic series that examines how the MCU would have been different if certain things had happened in ways other than those depicted on screen. Those familiar faces from Phase 1 not already mentioned above that are returning include:

Hayley Atwell as Peggy Carter
Toby Jones as Arnim Zola
Dominic Cooper as Howard Stark
Stanley Tucci as Abraham Erksine
Neal McDonough as Dum Dum Dugan
Josh Brolin as Thanos.

MCU Phase 1 Characters Likely To Appear In Phase 4

Happy Hogan offering a ring to Pepper Potts and Tony Stark.

Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau): The two-time MCU director also doubled as Tonk Stark's chauffeur and bodyguard. Since Tony's death, Happy has emerged as a confidant to Peter Parker so the figure could appear in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow): Pepper was another character around since the very first MCU installment, but it's unclear what the future holds for Tony Stark's wife. While she's focused on being a single parent to Morgan, it's possible that she too appears in the Spider-Man threequel.

Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders): Like the case with Nick Fury, Maria Hill will most likely make future MCU appearances as long as there are threats present. It would make sense for Cobie Smulders to be involved in several titles that subsequently involve Fury since they tend to work closely together.

Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard): Since the majority of the Thor cast is involved with Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it be fitting for Stellan Skarsgard to reappear as Erik Selvig. Since Spider-Man: Far From Home revealed that Erik was working on a documentary, he might be hinting at a Spider-Man appearance. Of course, Love and Thunder would be a better match for Selvig to return in the Marvel Cinematic Universe Phase 4.

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