There are some very exciting new heroes set to join the MCU in Phase 4, from the Eternals to Moon Knight to Shang-Chi. However, many of the heroes we've come to know and love will also be returning for various sequels and Disney+ projects.
As always, it's interesting to see where the next chapter will take these characters. With Avengers: Endgame closing the Infinity Saga storyline, Phase 4 will be very important for establishing the future of the MCU. This means the universe's main heroes will get a unique opportunity for improvement going forward.
Hulk - Let Banner Win
Though the character has not had his own solo film since The Incredible Hulk, Hulk has remained one of the MCU's most popular characters. He went through a very interesting arc over the course of Phase 3 as Bruce Banner and Hulk fought over who was really in charge.
Endgame seemed to establish a happy medium between the two characters with the Smart Hulk character. However, it would be nice to see Banner finally get a chance at a normal life. He's the one hero whose powers have been a curse so to see him find a cure would be a rare victory for him.
Ant-Man - A Big Stake Adventure
Ant-Man is one of the smaller heroes in the MCU both in terms of size and in terms of his adventures. His solo adventures, along with The Wasp, have always been a nice change of pace from the other gigantic epics. But now seems like the right time to allow Ant-Man to move to the next level.
It has been rumored that Kang the Conqueror will be in Ant-Man 3. Such a big villain could allow for Ant-Man to move out of his B-list hero status and show the world he is a true Avenger.
Star-Lord - Make Him Face His Mistakes
The Guardians of the Galaxy films have always been about the team, but Star-Lord has been the headliner. While he is a funny and roguish hero, he can also be dangerously arrogant. Many fans still point to his blunder in Avengers: Infinity War as the cause of Thanos' victory.
While the third film in the series will be bringing an end to this version of the team, Star-Lord should be faced with the consequences of his actions. Perhaps that colossal mistake will have allowed him to mature in a significant way.
Spider-Man - No Mentor
The relationship between Peter Parker and Tony Stark has been one of the most heartwarming things in the MCU. Tony was a mentor to Peter from the very beginning and the loss of him was devastating to Peter.
In Spider-Man: Far From Home, Mysterio stepped in to fill the mentor role and Doctor Strange seems to be doing the same in the third sequel. But despite being a young hero, Spider-Man needs to be able to stand on his own as a hero before his MCU journey ends.
Hawkeye - Bring His Story To An End
Hawkeye has never been a huge hit with fans as it can be hard to make a guy who shoots arrows as cool as the other Avengers. While he never got his own solo movie, he will be getting a Disney+ series which is said to revolve around him training Kate Bishop as the new Hawkeye.
The MCU has tried to reinvent Hawkeye a few times but it feels like it's time to let the hero's story end. The series can allow someone else to carry on the name of Hawkeye and allow him to retire to become the family man he is meant to be. It would also be important to have him face, and perhaps try to atone for, some of the starker decisions he made while grieving.
Scarlet Witch - Make Her Dangerous
After facing off with Thanos in Endgame and nearly killing him, it seems as though Scarlet Witch is one of the most powerful heroes in the MCU. She will next be seen in the intriguing Disney+ series WandaVision before joining Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
In the comics, Scarlet Witch is also very powerful and sometimes that power can get out of control. It would be interesting if the real threat in the Doctor Strange sequel was Wanda and Stephen Strange is faced with stopping her powers from destroying everything.
Thor - Don't Ignore His Trauma
One of the most interesting aspects of Endgame was Thor's shocking transformation. After failing to kill Thanos and reeling from the loss of most of his people, Thor suffers a breakdown and is far from the hero we all knew.
While Taika Waititi's take on Thor is very comedic, it would be nice to see him continue to explore the incredible trauma Thor has experienced and how he continues to cope with his mental state.
Captain Marvel - Give Her A Weakness
When Captain Marvel was introduced in her solo movie, it became clear that she would be an asset in the fight against Thanos. Once she discovered her true powers, she became all all-powerful being who could take on anyone.
While that made for an exciting third act in her first solo movie, it would be much less interesting to see a godlike superhero for an entire movie. Captain Marvel 2 has to show how the character can be beaten and explain what makes her vulnerable. It will make it much more entertaining to root for her.
Doctor Strange - His Dilemma As A Hero
While Doctor Strange's first solo movie was exciting, the character became a lot more interesting in Infinity War and Endgame. Not only did we get to see a lot more of his powers as a sorcerer, but it also introduced an interesting dilemma for him as a hero.
Strange explains to Tony that he is responsible for saving reality which means if he needs to sacrifice one life, he'll do it. In the end, Strange is willing to lead Tony to his inevitable death becomes he knows it will mean victory. This is a fascinating approach to a superhero and it would be great to see him struggle with that responsibility.
Black Widow - Give Her Death Meaning
After being introduced in Phase 1 and becoming an iconic member of the original six Avengers, Black Widow will finally be getting her own solo movie. Given that she died in Endgame, Black Widow will be a prequel taking place prior to Infinity War.
Since many fans felt her death in Endgame was not the ending the character deserved, this solo film will hopefully help to recontextualize that moment. Fans will hopefully get some more insight into her character, her past, and why that sacrifice was so important.