After a long pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 was a big year for the MCU. Kicking off Phase 4, the cinematic universe introduced the Disney+ side of its storytelling while also featuring four huge movies. And while fans were happy to see the return of fan-favorite characters like Black Widow and Loki, there were many exciting new additions.
Some of these characters were fun supporting players while others led their own stories. Some were inspiring heroes while others were intimidating villains. Each of these exciting new characters proved there is still plenty of room for the MCU to grow.
Kingo
With Eternals introducing a huge team of new characters, it was difficult for any one member to stand out. However, that is exactly what Kingo did largely thanks to a scene-stealing performance from Kumail Nanjiani.
Kingo made for the movie's funniest character, but he was far more interesting than just a comic relief hero. His backstory as a Bollywood movie star was a lot of fun and he added some very pivotal moments in terms of the team dynamics.
John Walker
John Walker may have looked like someone who could be Captain America, but he was certainly no Steve Rogers. While he was set up to be the next great hero to wield the shield, Walker continued to prove he was more of a punisher than a savior.
Wyatt Russell allowed the character to become a complex antagonist, showing how Walker could see himself as a hero yet still allow him to do unspeakable things as he grew into more of a villain. Though his redemption was misguided there is still plenty that can be done with Walker as an antagonist.
Maya Lopez
As the MCU continues to grow, it continues to bring in characters that allow fans of all kinds to feel represented in these stories of heroes. Maya Lopez is a terrific example of this as she is a deaf character with a prosthetic leg while still being one of the biggest badasses on Hawkeye.
While these unique aspects about Maya are great to see in the MCU, they also don't define her as a character. Her mission of revenge, her darker side, and her relationship with Kingpin all set the stage for her exciting solo series where the character can continue to grow.
Sylvie
Loki allowed audiences to explore the God of Mischief in many new ways, not only through the Loki that fans know and love but also through his variants. The most prominent of them all was Sylvie who can not only challenge Loki like no other but also forms a strong connection to him.
Sylvie embodies many of the things that makes Loki such an interesting character, from her sympathetic aspects to her darker side. It will be interesting to see the fallout of her pivotal decision in the season 1 finale.
Agatha Harkness
Among the many theories surrounding WandaVision, fans were quite sure there was more than meets the eye with Wanda and Vision's nosy neighbor, Agnes. And while Katheryn Hahn made Agnes a hilarious and entertaining character in the meantime, her eventual reveal was worth the wait.
Agatha Harkness quickly established herself as one of the MCU's most exciting villains. From her origins in the Salem Witch Trials to her exploration of Wanda's past, Agatha could be endless fun in the future. And she also has a very catchy theme song.
Mobius
Owen Wilson joining the MCU was an entertaining enough notion, but he ended up being a wonderful addition to Loki as Mobius. Wilson brought his laidback comedic style mixed with a too-old-for-this cop energy that made him a great character to pair with Loki.
Mobius was a very easy character to like and his dream of riding a jet ski was surprisingly touching. Watching his journey of realization throughout the first season was one of the most compelling arcs on the show.
Wenwu
After the controversial twist involving the Mandarin in Iron Man 3, the villain was properly introduced in Shang-Chi but with a further twist. The problematic character from the comics was transformed into a complex character who instantly became one of the MCU's best villains.
The movie allowed the character to be intimidating and ruthless while also grounding his motivations in something sympathetic. And Wenwu's relationship with his son made for the most unique hero-villain dynamic in the MCU.
Kate Bishop
It was always hard to take Hawkeye seriously in the MCU as he was a cocky Avenger who simply had a bow and arrow. However, the introduction of Kate Bishop offered a solution to that as she was a highly skilled archer who they were not afraid to show as out of her element.
With Hailee Steinfeld's winning performance, Kate became one of the most relatable, grounded, and endearing heroes in the MCU. It will be great fun watching her evolve in the cinematic universe going forward as she hopefully takes over as Hawkeye.
Yelena Belova
Though Black Widow was Natasha Romanoff's much anticipated first solo movie in the MCU, the show was stolen by Yelena Belova. Natasha's "younger sister" was a terrific addition to the story as she is as fierce and powerful as Natasha while also having a fun reckless side.
Florence Pugh balances the humor and action in a wonderful way while she continued to shine in the role when she showed up in Hawkeye. Yelena continues to be a funny and badass character with a darker edge than other heroes.
Shang-Chi
There were likely few fans of the MCU who knew about Shang-Chi before 2021 but he has quickly become the franchise's next household name. Newcomer Simu Liu also made a big debut as the charismatic, funny, and butt-kicking hero.
Shang-Chi's fighting style feels like something totally fresh for the MCU, but that is only scratching the surface of the character's potential. From his family dynamics to the origins of the rings, fans can expect big things from Shang-Chi ahead.