Several Marvel Cinematic Universe characters introduced during Phase 4 and the beginning of Phase 5 have no future return confirmed. Phase 4 was a learning period for the MCU, as it was by far the phase with the most projects. While Marvel Studios used to operate only through the release of films, it all changed with the creation of Disney+. Series focusing on ing characters, such as Loki and WandaVision, focusing on introducing new heroes, like Moon Knight and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, or the first special presentations in Werewolf by Night and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, helped usher in a new era in the MCU.
That expansion of the Marvel franchise came at an unprecedented pace, with MCU Phase 4's 17 projects over two years. The entire Infinity Saga, which spanned MCU Phases 1-3, included 23 movies from 2008 to 2019. A new MCU Phase 5 shows release plan has been put in place to help solve the complaints that Marvel has received over the uneven quality of Phase 4, with the criticism about how the Disney+ series feel rushed being addressed. While the MCU has faltered in the quality department lately, Marvel did introduce many exciting new heroes over the past three years; however, many of them have no MCU return set.
15 Moon Knight
Oscar Isaac's turn as three characters — Marc Spector, Steven Grant, and Jake Lockley — all in one due to Marc's dissociative identity disorder became one of the MCU's best performances. Moon Knight's ending teased the next step for the character, with Lockley taking control of the titular hero's body. While the tease was exciting, it is undercut by there not being a set return for Moon Knight. The character should eventually be back for Moon Knight season 2, which has been teased, or one of the next two Avengers films.
14 Kate Bishop
Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop stole every scene she was in during her turn opposite Jeremy Renner's Clint Barton in Disney+'s Hawkeye. Kate's MCU future was left wide open at the end of the series, with her possibly operating together with Clint or taking over as the new Hawkeye. Recently, Steinfeld addressed her MCU future as Hawkeye in the Young Avengers. The actress has not heard about which project will mark her Kate Bishop return, but a Young Avengers project — movie or series — seems like the safest bet based on rumors and teases.
13 Starfox
Eternals was the MCU's most divisive release, but the film's first post-credits scene managed to excite even those that were not fans of what had come before. Singer and actor Harry Styles made his MCU debut as Eros/Starfox, none other than Thanos' brother. Given his connection to the Infinity Saga's main villain, Eros' MCU future is fascinating. However, with an Eternals 2 announcement looking unlikely after the negative reaction to the original, his return project remains unknown.
12 Black Knight
Kit Harrington traded in his Jon Snow sword in Game of Thrones for the Ebony Blade in the MCU. Dane Whitman had a minor role in Eternals, but the film's second post-credits scene teased the character's transformation into the Black Knight. With Eternals 2 being in limbo, Black Knight's debut seemed likely to happen in Blade, as Mahershala Ali's vampire hunter talked to Dane off-screen in the Eternals scene. However, with Blade having multiple production problems, Black Knight's inclusion is up in the air.
11 Adam Warlock
Will Poulter's Adam Warlock is the first major character to be introduced in Phase 5 without a set future in the MCU. Adam Warlock went from an antagonist to a team member by the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. As part of the new Guardians of the Galaxy team led by Rocket Raccoon, Adam Warlock is likely coming back in the MCU in one or both of the next two Avengers movies, with the films bound to cross over several different MCU heroes and teams. Poulter could also reprise his role in a Guardians of the Galaxy 4, albeit without James Gunn as the director.
10 Phyla
Also introduced in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was the young Phyla. While seemingly a minor character in the film, Phyla was revealed to be part of Rocket's new Guardians of the Galaxy team alongside Adam Warlock and others. The character did not have much to do in the film, but given that she is the MCU's version of Phyla-Vell from the comics, she will likely have a greater role to play in the future. Like Adam Warlock, Phyla should be wherever the new Guardians of the Galaxy team appears next.
9 Clea
Charlize Theron's surprise debut as Clea in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' first post-credits scene teased a major role in the MCU's Multiverse Saga for her. The character came to recruit Doctor Strange to help stop an incursion — the main threat in the story that inspires Avengers: Secret Wars. Clea's MCU return can come in a number of ways. Clea and Strange's mission could play out in an expected Doctor Strange 3 or any of the two Avengers films.
8 Hercules
Ted Lasso's Roy Kent actor Brett Goldstein surprisingly ed the MCU in Thor: Love and Thunder's first post-credits scene. Goldstein played Hercules, with Zeus sending his son after Thor to get revenge on the Avenger stealing the Greek god's Thunderbolt. Hercules' MCU future might be tied to Thor at first, but the character has the potential to become an Avenger himself. Goldstein's next MCU appearance as Hercules could come in an eventual Thor 5 or one of the next two Avengers films, with Hemsworth's Thor likely involved in those.
7 Werewolf By Night
Disney+'s Werewolf by Night marked a new chapter for the MCU, with Marvel Studios' first special presentation having a distinct look from everything that had come before in the MCU. Gael García Bernal's Jack Russell was a charismatic character that helped Marvel begin to explore the monster corner of the MCU. There is no set plan for when Werewolf by Night will return in the MCU, although a future special presentation or a role in the rumored Midnight Suns film might be what is in store for the supernatural character.
6 Man-Thing
Also debuting in Werewolf by Night was Man-Thing, the Marvel monster that perfectly jumped from the comic books to the screen in the special presentation. Man-Thing, or Ted, and Jack already knew each other before the events of the special, and with the two characters ending their screen time together, it would seem like they will likely return at the same time in the MCU's future, perhaps with Man-Thing leading his own Disney+ special presentation.
