Skydance is yet to reveal any key information regarding the recently announced Marvel video game being led by former new Marvel game from Skydance, Hennig hinted not only at a focus on the pulp elements of the Marvel Universe, but also the possibility the game could focus on multiple heroes as opposed to just one. There are many heroes and super-teams in the Marvel Universe who could be the focus of the project, and some who would embody the themes Hennig spoke of in her announcement more strongly than others.
Skydance New Media is a relatively new video game studio, having been founded in 2019. It's yet to release a project, but Hennig's involvement with the studio could provide an indication of the kind of video games it will focus on. Hennig was instrumental in the development of Naughty Dog's Uncharted video games, which had a linear, story-driven focus and was incredibly cinematic. It's possible that Skydance New Media's Marvel game will also take cues from Uncharted, although to what degree remains unknown.
While concrete details were sparse regarding the announcement for the new Marvel game, Hennig's words serve as a starting point for determining which character or characters it may focus on. Additionally, it's likely that whoever is the focus of the project will also have appeared in other Marvel media, with more prolific characters arguably having a stronger chance of leading their own title as opposed to the more obscure figures in Marvel's library. Other recently released or announced Marvel games are also likely to exclude certain characters from contention.
Daredevil And The Defenders Could Lead Marvel's New Game
Quickly after Skydance's Marvel announcement, rumors of a Daredevil video game were reignited. A leak that may have hinted at the announcement of Marvel's Wolverine also discussed a Daredevil video game being in development, and that it would take place in Chicago. Whether or not the leak is accurate remains to be seen, but Daredevil would fit the pulp vibe hinted at by Hennig in the announcement, with Matt Murdock sticking to the streets of Hell's Kitchen in some of Marvel's darkest storylines.
That said, if Skydance does go with a team-focused game, the Defenders could be heading up the project instead. Although the initial group in Marvel Comics focused on Doctor Strange, Hulk and Namor, the newer iteration revolved around Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist. These figures also have the added benefit of having recently appeared in the MCU's Netflix shows, meaning they've already been introduced to a wider audience, and that a leap to the gaming medium wouldn't be too much of a stretch.
Spider-Man And Wolverine Are Unlikely To Appear In Skydance's Game
Insomniac Games is already expanding on its Spider-Man video game universe by introducing Wolverine, who will star in his own title from the studio following the release of Marvel's Spider-Man 2. The success of Marvel's Spider-Man and reveal that not only Venom, but also Kraven the Hunter, will appear in the sequel likely disqualifies all Spider-Man-related characters from inclusion. Additionally, with Wolverine headlining his own game at Insomniac, he's all but ruled out from showing up in Skydance's new game.
Even though it's possible that other X-Men could show up in Marvel's Wolverine, it's unlikely that version of the team would be fleshed out in a title from Skydance. It's true that multiple incarnations of Marvel's characters currently coexist in the video game space, but as far as the X-Men are concerned, it makes sense for Wolverine to get the spotlight in his own title first.
The Fantastic Four Would Fit Amy Hennig's Marvel Vision Perfectly
Given the team's comics align with many of the themes Amy Hennig discussed in the announcement, it's likely that the Fantastic Four could lead Skydance's new Marvel Game. The Fantastic Four is pulp-y, a team, and is comprised of some of the most recognizable characters in the Marvel Universe. The last video game focused on the Fantastic Four was 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer on the PlayStation 2. Marvel's First Family are also set to make their MCU debut in the coming years, making them a prime candidate for a new video game.
With a team consisting of Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, the Thing, and the Human Torch, the group make perfect sense if Skydance's project was to focus on multiple playable characters. The group's adventurous, high-stakes comics also lend themselves much better to a linear title than anything in the open-world, further bolstering the potential that they could lead Skydance's new Marvel project.
The Guardians Of The Galaxy Already Have Their Own Series
The Guardians of the Galaxy most likely won't be included in Skydance's new Marvel game, because of Square Enix's recent Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. Although the team would give the game multiple playable characters, it wouldn't make sense for there to be two contrasting depictions of them in the same medium.
Additionally, with hints that Thanos could feature in a GOTG sequel, the intergalactic squad likely won't have time to traverse two games from competing studios. Eidos-Montréal should have further opportunities to flesh out its interpretation of the Marvel Universe, venturing into cosmic territory in a way no other video game studios are currently doing.
She-Hulk's MCU Series Could Propel The Character Into Her Own Game
Jennifer Walters, also known as She-Hulk, is set up perfectly for more appearances in the Marvel world. Tatiana Maslany will play the lawyer cousin of Bruce Banner in an MCU Disney+ series scheduled to debut next year, but the character could also grace screens in a more interactive way. Created by Stan Lee and John Buscema, Walters has the same powers as her green-hued cousin, but she retains her personality and intelligence when she goes big. She-Hulk has also been a member of the Defenders and the Fantastic Four before, so the option is open for a solo or group adventure, was she to be the focus of Skydance's project.
Backlash To Inhumans And Eternals Make A Video Game Unlikely
With the Inhumans show failing to connect with audiences and the Eternals movie now rotten on Rotten Tomatoes, it may be unwise for any video game project to focus on either property. If Skydance does prioritize multiple playable characters, these two teams will likely be avoided for arguably more popular characters, such as Spider-Man and Wolverine.
There's always the chance that either the Inhumans or Eternals could lead their own video games, but their potential is yet to be mined faithfully outside of the comics. That doesn't mean that Skydance Media wouldn't be able to do the characters justice - the Inhumans and Eternals feature rich, exciting mythologies that could form the basis of any compelling video game. It's more that they're possibly riskier propositions than some of the safer characters in Marvel's library.
A Blade Video Game Would Compliment The Character's MCU Movie
The MCU is revisiting Blade with Mahershala Ali set to portray the lead character. Blade also lends himself well to the action and thrills Hennig hinted when expressing her excitement about working with Marvel. The vampire hunter would further differentiate Skydance's game from other recent Marvel titles and possibly help the studio capitalize on the supernatural direction Marvel's onscreen efforts are seemingly headed. While he will appear in the Midnight Suns game inspired by Marvel's supernatural comics, Wolverine is appearing in both his own game and Midnight Suns, leaving the possibility open to Blade to appear in multiple AAA titles as well.
Marvel's Avengers' Black Panther DLC Means A Solo Game Is Unlikely
Skydance likely won't feature Black Panther due to Marvel's Avengers War for Wakanda DLC spotlighting the character heavily. After the success of the MCU film and the hype for Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever, T'Challa was bound to feature in more Marvel video games. However, with Wakanda getting an entire DLC expansion to itself, it may be unlikely that Black Panther would feature in his own solo project so soon.
It's impossible to say for certain, but the character (or characters) that will lead Skydance's new untitled Marvel game likely won't have featured in a recent title from a different developer. It's still early days regarding the project, and the Marvel Universe is one of the most expansive fictional mythologies in the comics medium, meaning there's a near-endless supply of characters who could end up being the focus of its story-driven, potentially Uncharted-style experience. It's difficult to tell who exactly those characters might be right now, but it is clear that there are some who may be a better fit than others.
