The numerous Marvel movies and television series. The MCU’s second saga explores the concept of the multiverse, infinite parallel realities. Each of these has their own versions of the MCU’s characters, known as variants. These often explore different paths these characters could have taken, providing fascinating "what if" scenarios within the MCU's continuity.
This article focuses explicitly on characters established in the MCU whose variants have subsequently been introduced. As such, variants of characters originating from other franchises, such as Xavier and Mr. Fantastic in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, are not included. Additionally, this excludes characters from the animated series What If...?, as that series exclusively features alternate universe versions of characters, rather than their main (Earth-616) counterparts. It is also worth noting that Blade has not been included, as his MCU debut in Eternals was off-screen.
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12 Spider-Man
Spider-Man Variants Are Introduced In Spider-Man: No Way Home
Tom Holland's Spider-Man first swung into the MCU in Captain America: Civil War (2016). This iteration of Peter Parker is the official Spider-Man of the MCU, known for his youthfulness, wit, and the mentorship he receives from Tony Stark. Spider-Man's encounter with his variants was a pivotal moment in Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021).
InNo Way Home, a multiversal mishap brings together two other Spider-Men from different realities, played by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. These two variants originated from Sony's Spider-Man and The Amazing Spider-Man franchises, respectively. Tobey Maguire’s Spider-Man, the seasoned veteran, and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man, still dealing with the trauma of Gwen Stacy’s death, offered unique perspectives that helped Tom Holland’s Peter Parker grow.
Spider-Man: No Way Home
- Release Date
- December 17, 2021
- Runtime
- 148 Minutes
- Director
- Jon Watts
Cast
Peter Parker
MJ
WHERE TO WATCH
For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the trials and tribulations of being a superhero. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) when his identity becomes a problem for the ones he loves. Unfortunately, when the spell goes wrong, Spider-Man will now have to face off with villains such as Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) and Electro (Jamie Foxx) as Peter finally comes to that he can't run from being Spider-Man. ed by his close friends and help from an unexpected place (or multiverse), Spider-Man will go toe-to-toe with some of the most legendary foes in his storied history.
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11 Deadpool
Deadpool's Variants Are Introduced In Deadpool & Wolverine
Deadpool officially ed the MCU in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). This marked the character's integration into the MCU, following the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney. Throughout the movie, Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool encounters numerous variants of himself, especially during the dynamic final battle against an army of Deadpools.
These Deadpool variants in Deadpool & Wolverine ranged from comedic to outright bizarre, each embodying different aspects of the character's chaotic personality. Deadpool and Wolverine face numerous Deadpool variants in the final confrontation, including Nicepool, Babypool, Ladypool, and Headpool. These were played by several well-known performers, including Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Reynolds’ wife, Blake Lively, and Tom Halland’s younger brother, Harry.
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Deadpool & Wolverine
- Release Date
- July 26, 2024
- Runtime
- 127 Minutes
- Director
- Shawn Levy
Cast
Deadpool
Wolverine
WHERE TO WATCH
A follow-up to the highly successful Deadpool and Deadpool 2 films starring Ryan Reynolds as the Merc with a Mouth. The third film will be the first in the franchise to be developed under the Marvel Studios banner following Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox.
10 Wolverine
Wolverine's Variants Are Introduced In Deadpool & Wolverine
Wolverine made his much-anticipated debut in the MCU alongside Deadpool in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024). Played by Hugh Jackman, this version of Wolverine brought the character from Fox’s X-Men franchise into the MCU timeline. The film also took the opportunity to explore multiple Wolverine variants, as Deadpool explores the Multiverse.
Among the Wolverine variants in Deadpool & Wolverine, audiences fans saw a comic-accurate version of Wolverine, who was the same height as the comic book counterpart. Another variant was played by Henry Cavill, while another version from the Age of Apocalypse storyline introduced a darker, more dystopian Wolverine. These variants highlighted the character’s adaptability across different timelines and universes, but more importantly, they proffered a series of comic-accurate Wolverines after years of movies changing his appearance.
9 Loki
Loki's Variants Are Introduced In Loki Season 1
Loki first appeared in Thor (2011) and quickly became one of the MCU’s most beloved characters. Loki’s journey into the multiverse began in Avengers: Endgame (2019) when he escaped with the Tesseract, creating a variant of himself that would become the focus of the Loki series on Disney+. In season 1, the titular character encounters numerous variants of himself, each embodying different aspects of his personality and potential.
The Loki variants include Classic Loki, Kid Loki, and Sylvie, a female Loki variant with her own vendetta against the Time Variance Authority (TVA). The Loki from the series is himself a variant, distinct from the Earth-616 Loki who was killed by Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War (2018). These variants team-up in the thrilling Loki season 1 finale.
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Loki
- Release Date
- June 9, 2021
- Network
- Disney+
- Showrunner
- Michael Waldron
Cast
Loki Laufeyson
Miss Minutes (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
Loki is a series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe following the alternate version of the titular character, Loki, after the events of Avengers: Endgame. Taken by the Time Variance Authority, he must confront his identity and choices while aiding in fixing the disrupted timeline to avert a greater threat.
8 Kang The Conqueror
Kang The Conqueror's Variants Are Introduced In Loki Season 1
Kang the Conqueror, a time-traveling despot, first appeared in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023), but his story began earlier with a variant named He Who Remains in Loki season 1. He Who Remains was the last survivor of a multiversal war between Kang variants, and his death at the hands of Sylvie unleashed the multiverse, allowing other variants of Kang to emerge.
In Loki Season 2, another Kang variant, Victor Timely, is introduced, further expanding the character’s presence in the MCU. The series and the films are building toward a larger narrative involving multiple Kang variants, culminating in the depiction of the full Council of Kangs during the post-credits scene of Quantumania. This council consists of countless Kang variants, each with their own agenda, showcasing the character’s vast potential as a multiverse-spanning villain.
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7 Doctor Strange
Doctor Strange's Variants Are Introduced In Doctor Strange In The Mutiverse Of Madness
Doctor Stephen Strange, the Master of the Mystic Arts, was first introduced in the MCU in Doctor Strange (2016). His journey through the multiverse took a dramatic turn in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), where he encounters several variants of himself. The film opens with Defender Strange, who attempts to save America Chavez from a monstrous threat but ultimately dies (and is later reanimated through Strange’s dreamwalk).
As the story unfolds, Earth-616 Strange learns of Supreme Strange, a member of Earth-838’s Illuminati who was executed by Black Bolt for his dangerous use of the Darkhold. Another variant, Sinister Strange, embodies the darker side of Strange’s potential, corrupted by his power and ultimately defeated in a battle of wits and magic. Another variant of Doctor Strange was mentioned in Deadpool & Wolverine as having been pruned and appeared in the Void.
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Doctor Strange In the Multiverse of Madness
- Release Date
- May 6, 2022
- Runtime
- 126 minutes
- Director
- Sam Raimi
Cast
Doctor Stephen Strange
Xochitl GomezAmerica Chavez
WHERE TO WATCH
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness follows Doctor Strange as he navigates diverse and perilous alternate realities in the Multiverse with the aid of mystical allies. Directed by Sam Raimi, this installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduces a mysterious new adversary.
6 Baron Karl Mordo
Mordo's Variants Are Introduced In Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
Baron Karl Mordo, initially introduced in Doctor Strange (2016), begins as an ally to Stephen Strange before becoming disillusioned with the mystical world. Mordo's MCU variant appears in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), leading Strange to Earth-838’s Illuminati. Unlike his Earth-616 counterpart, who has gone rogue by hunting down sorcerers, this variant holds a position of power and responsibility.
This encounter between Doctor Strange and Mordo’s variant adds layers to Mordo’s character, exploring how different circumstances can lead him down varied paths. The Earth-838 Mordo distrusts Strange and adheres to strict principles determined by the Illuminati. This mirrors the original Mordo’s descent into antagonism, but with a more nuanced approach.
5 Christine Palmer
Christine Palmer's Variants Are Introduced In Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
Christine Palmer, first introduced as Doctor Strange’s love interest in Doctor Strange (2016), plays a crucial role in grounding the mystical superhero. Her variant in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) offers a new perspective on the character. In the alternate universe designated as Earth-838, Christine Palmer works for the Baxter Foundation, where she specializes in analyzing multiversal threats.
This role places her in direct with Stephen Strange and the Illuminati, highlighting her scientific acumen and resourcefulness. The Earth-838 Christine is different from her Earth-616 counterpart, not just in her career but in her relationship with Strange. While there is still a connection between them, it is tinged with the knowledge that they belong to different worlds, and the devastation Strange’s variants caused in her name.
4 Scarlet Witch
Scarlet Witch's Variants Are Introduced In Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
Wanda Maximoff, also known as the Scarlet Witch, was officially introduced to the MCU in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) and quickly became a central figure. Her character's arc took a dark turn in WandaVision (2021), culminating in her transformation into the Scarlet Witch. This evolution continued in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022), where Wanda encounters a variant of herself living in an alternate 2021 on Earth-838.
In this universe, Wanda lives a peaceful suburban life with her children, Tommy and Billy. Earth-616 Wanda possesses this variant in her quest to capture America Chavez, using her formidable powers to traverse the multiverse. The possessed Wanda goes on a rampage, killing most of the Illuminati in cold blood. Despite her villainous turn, this variant’s life is ultimately a tragic reflection of Wanda’s deepest desires - peace and family.
3 Peggy Carter
Peggy Carter's Variants Are Introduced In Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness
Peggy Carter, a founding member of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Captain America’s love interest, made her debut in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). A variant of Peggy Carter, known as Captain Carter, appears in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022) as part of Earth-838’s Illuminati. This version of Peggy took the Super Soldier Serum instead of Steve Rogers, becoming her universe’s Captain America equivalent.
Captain Carter’s appearance in Multiverse of Madness reimagines Peggy’s role within the MCU, allowing her to be the superhero she always had the potential to become. Although her time on screen is brief, her courage and leadership are evident, particularly during her confrontation with the Scarlet Witch. This variant’s inclusion pays homage to Peggy Carter’s legacy and expands her character’s possibilities within the multiverse.
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