As fans have gone through quite a journey through Phase 4, albeit an inconsistent set of stories, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has brought it to a close with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special serving as an "epilogue" leading into Phase 5. As fans prepare themselves for what comes next, many are also looking back at the emotional rollercoaster that was Phase 4.
Throughout the course of the past two years, certain MCU characters have endured heavy trials, which have inexorably altered the very course of their lives. These reflections include characters inheriting mantles from their predecessors, like Hawkeye and Captain America, and others taking part in the first taste of the multiversal mayhem.
Kate Bishop
Portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld, Kate Bishop makes her very first appearance in Hawkeye. She begins as a regular college student with an affinity for archery, but a black market plot involving the Russian mob, her own mother, and her favorite superhero forces Kate to adopt her own heroic persona.
Over the course of the six-episode Disney+ series, Kate has the opportunity to learn from Clint Barton himself, honing her skill in an effort to become the next hero to take on the Hawkeye mantle. By the season's end, Kate has caused her mother's arrest and made an enemy of the Kingpin himself, foreshadowing a future that will keep her in the crime fighting business.
Steven Grant/Marc Spector
At the beginning of Moon Knight, Steven Grant lived a normal but ultimately unfulfilling life, which was as unremarkable as it was peaceful. Nevertheless, his adventures led him to discover that his consciousness was but another facet of the mercenary Marc Spector, who also happened to serve as the Egyptian god Khonshu's avatar.
Though the future of Moon Knight and, by extension, Spector and Grant remains unknown, fans can be certain that their lives are changed forever. No longer does Marc serve Khonshu, and Steven himself no longer lives a peaceful, normal life. Moreover, other events have transpired to wake up a third identity in Jake Lockley, who is sure to wreak havoc in his counterparts' lives very soon.
Thor Odinson
When he was last seen in Avengers: Endgame, Thor was finally ready to set out on a journey of self-discovery with the Guardians of the Galaxy. Audiences were finally able to reconnect with the god of thunder in Thor: Love and Thunder, where his battle with Gorr the God Butcher proved to be quite transformative.
Thor has undergone rigorous character development during his time in the MCU, and Love and Thunder seems to bring this chapter to a close, as the Avenger loses the love of his life, only to gain a new type of love in the adoption of Gorr's daughter. Now a father, Thor's life is devoted to the upbringing of his daughter, who has given him a bold new purpose.
Kamala Khan
Iman Vellani made her MCU debut earlier this year in the Disney+ series Ms. Marvel, where she portrays Kamala Khan, a normal high school student and superhero fan who accidentally attains powers of her own thanks to an old family heirloom.
By the end of her Disney+ series, Kamala has fully adopted her superhero alter-ego, modeling her crime-fighting career after that of Captain Marvel, only to suddenly be swept away, swapping places with her childhood hero. Kamala's future adventures have already begun and will be addressed in The Marvels next year.
Jennifer Walters
Tatiana Maslany's Jennifer Walters is the latest superhero to join the ranks of the MCU in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law. The nine-episode Disney+ series explores Jenn's relationship with her alter-ego, She-Hulk, as she attempts to keep control over her own life.
Though Jenn's life is indeed inexorably altered by her transformation into She-Hulk, she is more importantly changed by her newfound self-acceptance. She no longer doubts herself or submits to the control of others. Instead, she has grasped control of her own story and isn't letting go anytime soon.
Bruce Banner
Dr. Bruce Banner has had a long and storied history in the MCU, one which continues to get more complicated in Phase 4. During his brief appearances in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, it was revealed that Bruce had a son, Skaar, who was born on the planet Sakaar.
Suddenly saddled with the responsibility of parenthood, Bruce is sure to have his work cut out for him in training yet another new Hulk in how to control his temper. However, certain rumors hinting at a possible World War Hulk scenario in the MCU suggest that the original Hulk may prove unsuccessful in bridling his son's rage.
Sam Wilson
After Steve Rogers retired from the role of Captain America in Avengers: Endgame, he passed the mantle down to one of his closest friends, Sam Wilson. The Falcon and the Winter Soldier follows Sam as he proves to himself that he has what it takes to follow in his mentor's legacy, finally becoming the new Captain America.
As the new Captain America, Sam Wilson has a heavy burden on his shoulders, guiding his nation and the world in the aftermath of the Blip. Sam is also being set up to lead the Avengers moving forward, a responsibility that will lay heavy on his shoulders as they prepare to face Kang the Conqueror's imminent threat and the multiverse's perils.
Wanda Maximoff
Wanda Maximoff has had one of the most compelling journeys in the fourth phase of the MCU. Beginning with WandaVision, the Avenger discovered her true destiny as the Scarlet Witch, only to lose the husband and children she loved dearly, which led to her villainous turn in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Though Wanda apparently died at the end of Multiverse of Madness, a more likely scenario involves her surviving the film's finale and living once more in seclusion. No matter how deeply she regrets her actions, she will never be able to undo the destruction she caused--or the way the world now looks at her following her rampage.
Peter Parker
Peter Parker may have thought his life was forever changed when Mysterio revealed his identity as Spider-Man to the entire world at the end of Spider-Man: Far From Home, but this was only the beginning. No Way Home compounded the destruction caused by this reveal in such a way that Peter was forced to undergo a heavy sacrifice in order to save the world.
On top of being pushed too far by the Green Goblin, who killed his Aunt May, Peter was forced to commission a magical spell that would erase the world's memory of Peter Parker. Now, Peter lives alone, with no friends or family, but only Spider-Man to keep him company.
Shuri
Princess Shuri of Wakanda has not been seen in the MCU since her appearance in Avengers: Endgame. Since that time, many events, both in the real world and in the MCU, have transpired that are certain to alter the course of the character's life forever, as will be revealed in the upcoming film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
With her brother T'Challa gone, Shuri has become the new heir apparent to the throne of Wakanda, forced to carry on her family's legacy in a way she never imagined would be on her shoulders. Many fans also believe that she will inherit her brother's mantle as Black Panther, signaling the end of her life as a scientist and the beginning of her career as the protector of Wakanda.