There are several characters from the MCU Phase 1 who are still active in Marvel Studios' shared universe. The MCU kicked-off in 2008 with the release of Iron Man, and has since then released over thirty feature films, eight TV shows for Disney+, and two Special Presentations, each introduced a wide variety of heroes and villains into the franchise. With over eight decades of Marvel Comics adventures to draw from, Marvel Studios has brought hundreds of characters to life in the MCU, and is showing no signs of stopping as the Multiverse Saga continues to unfold, with Phase 4 introducing a plethora of new characters to the MCU.
While the focus of the MCU may be shifting into "newness," as per Disney CEO Bob Iger's recent comments, it's important to the characters that started the franchise, some of whom are still active in the MCU to this day. Heroes such as Iron Man, Captain America, and Black Widow might have ended their journeys, but other of Phase 1's Avengers team are still seeing major developments. It's not only the heroes that have survived, however, as a variety of villains and ing characters have also been included in the MCU's Multiverse Saga.
Bruce Banner, A.K.A. The Hulk
Originally portrayed by Edward Norton in 2008's The Incredible Hulk, Mark Ruffalo assumed the role of Bruce Banner, a.k.a. the Hulk, in The Avengers, Phase 1's final film. As a brilliant scientist who was transformed into the Hulk after being exposed to lethal amounts of gamma radiation, Banner is an invaluable member of the MCU's heroic roster, and has seen more character development than perhaps any other hero, leading to him becoming Smart Hulk in Avengers: Endgame. After a recent appearance in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, the stage has been set for a rumored World War Hulk project in the MCU, though it's unclear what Banner's future actually holds.
Clint Barton, A.K.A. Hawkeye
Clint Barton was one of the most overshadowed of the original Avengers, though Jeremy Renner gave the archer more substance during Avengers: Age of Ultron and beyond. Phase 4 saw Hawkeye take on Kate Bishop as a protégé, teasing the eventual team-up of the MCU's Young Avengers, and although Hawkeye's future in the MCU is unclear, there are still many questions that surround his backstory in the MCU. Hawkeye on Disney+ revealed his wife, Laura, to be a former SHIELD agent, and his career as Ronin during Avengers: Endgame's Blip hasn't been discussed much, so Renner could return in the MCU's future to explore Barton even further.
Thor Odinson
Chris Hemsworth is currently the only original Avenger actor to receive four solo films in the MCU, taking him from 2011's Thor to 2022's Thor: Love & Thunder. It was Thor: Ragnarok, however, that revitalized the Asgardian hero, proving that he is one of the strongest characters in the MCU, and although his more recent adventures have received scrutiny, Thor will appear in the MCU's future at least once more. After recent developments in Hemsworth's personal life, it's likely that Thor's MCU journey will end soon, but his legacy will live on thanks to his new adoptive daughter, and a potential return of Jane Foster as the Mighty Thor.
James "Rhodey" Rhodes, A.K.A. War Machine
Recast from Terrence Howard to Don Cheadle after Iron Man, Rhodey finally donned his own Iron Man armor in Iron Man 2 after a skirmish with best friend Tony Stark. War Machine has operated mostly in the background throughout his MCU career, likely due to his US Government restrictions, but Marvel Studios are producing a solo film for Cheadle in the form of Armor Wars, which will put War Machine front-and-center. Cheadle's appearances in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and the Secret Invasion series' establish that he is still a very active player in the MCU, continuing Iron Man's legacy after his Avengers: Endgame sacrifice.
James Buchanan "Bucky" Barnes, A.K.A. The Winter Soldier/White Wolf
Introduced as Steve Rogers' childhood friend in Captain America: The First Avenger, Bucky Barnes eventually appeared as the Winter Soldier in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, later being broken free from his HYDRA programming. The friendship between Rogers and Bucky was one of the key aspects to Captain America's MCU journey, but Bucky has now been left to continue his friend's legacy without him, forming a close bond with Sam Wilson instead. Sebastian Stan's next appearance as Bucky will be in Phase 5's Thunderbolts, which will see him promoted to the de facto leader of the antihero team.
Emil Blonsky, A.K.A. Abomination
Tim Roth debuted as Emil Blonsky in The Incredible Hulk, a former commander of the British Royal Marines who was injected with super-soldier serum and Bruce Banner's blood, causing him to become the Abomination. After a defeat by the Hulk, Blonsky reappeared in Phase 4 during Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, now seemingly turned away from his villainous roots. It's not clear where, or if, Blonsky will return in the MCU's future, but with several Hulk-adjacent characters set to show up in Captain America: New World Order, it's possible that the Abomination could play a part in the MCU's Phase 5.
Loki Laufeyson
Loki, portrayed by Tom Hiddleston, was introduced as Thor's adoptive brother in Thor, and then as the primary antagonist for The Avengers, bringing his Chitauri army to the streets of New York City. Over the years, Loki saw a massive redemption arc that led to his shocking death in the opening moments of Avengers: Infinity War. However, the Time Heist in Avengers: Endgame released a variant of Loki into the MCU, who will continue his adventure in Loki season 2 on Disney+, now working with the Time Variance Authority to investigate Kang the Conqueror and assess the greater threat to the MCU.
Nick Fury
Nick Fury is one of the MCU's longest-running active characters, debuting in Iron Man's post-credits scene as the mysterious Director of SHIELD intent on bringing the Avengers together for the first time. Samuel L. Jackson has appeared as Fury in a multitude of subsequent MCU projects, and Phase 5 is set to develop his story even further as he returns to Earth in Secret Invasion to battle a rogue faction of shape-shifting Skrulls who have been infiltrating humanity for years. Despite being featured since the start of the MCU, not much is known about Fury's origins, so his future MCU appearances can explore this much more.
Maria Hill
Cobie Smulders brought Maria Hill to the MCU in 2012's The Avengers, a former Agent of SHIELD and Nick Fury's right-hand woman during the Battle of New York. Hill has had an incredibly small role in the MCU, only ever being seen alongside Fury, with her only major appearances being in The Avengers, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Spider-Man: Far From Home. Much like Fury, her story will expand more in Marvel Studios' Secret Invasion series, giving Smulders a greater role and potentially setting up a bright future for the character in the MCU's Phase 5 and beyond.
General Thaddeus Ross
General Thaddeus Ross was initially portrayed by the late William Hurt in a selection of projects following his debut in The Incredible Hulk. Rising from General to Secretary of State as shown in Captain America: Civil War, Ross is a key player in the political side of the MCU, even being the one to inform the Avengers of the impending Sokovia Accords. Ross will return in Captain America: New World Order and Thunderbolts, though the role has been recast for Harrison Ford following Hurt's 2022 ing, with speculation suggesting he could finally become the Red Hulk as he does in the pages of Marvel Comics.
