The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been growing exponentially since its beginnings in 2008, when Iron Man set the precedent for future MCU movies and anti-hero characteristics in modern media. While Marvel's anti-hero characters have made their way onto the big screen and television, many have not debuted in the MCU proper thus far. With a few characters, such as Daredevil, Loki, Bucky Barnes, and Rocket Raccoon, being introduced in the MCU, we are left wondering when our favorite anti-heroes will make their way into the cinematic universe. It is true that we have some amazing films and series that include or even feature the anti-hero characters that we love, but so many more beloved characters have yet to be thoroughly explored.
Some of the most amazing stories in popular culture are about an anti-hero or vigilante who protects those in need and/or stands for an important idea, even if it goes against the leadership, government, or law, and is sometimes morally questionable. Characters who are extremely popular and cherished are frequently of the vigilante or anti-hero variety. Batman, Deadpool, Black Adam, Wolverine, and Red Hood are just a few examples of anti-heroes who have strong followings and have piqued the audience's interest. The popularity of anti-heroes extends beyond the comic book genre, with some popular examples appearing in independent films and television; examples include 24, House, Dexter, The Wire, Deadwood, House of Cards, and Mad Men. Now let us dive into some of Marvel's most popular vigilante characters who need to make an MCU appearance as soon as possible!
7 Wolverine
Logan, or Wolverine, is a rough character with a tragic past; a character with all the potential to be a good-for-nothing villain, but who perseveres to do what is right for those in need. Wolverine is a true hero, though much of the time he struggles with doing the wrong thing for the right reasons. With his brash personality and base qualities, including his amazing mutant powers, he makes an amazing hero in action. If one is looking for a hero who doesn't mind breaking the rules or some necks, Logan is the vigilante for you. Wolverine has been on many super teams in the comics, most notably the X-Men, and has had a handful of key roles in 20th Century Fox's Marvel mutant-driven films. This mainstream fan-favorite character has been anticipated and speculated to join the MCU for many years now, especially since Disney's acquisition of Fox.
6 Magneto
Max Eisenhardt, a.k.a. Magneto, the master of magnetism, has made many appearances in the Fox-owned X-Men universe, most recently having a part in the film Dark Phoenix. While Magneto usually finds himself on the opposite side of our favorite heroes, such as his mutant nemesis, Professor Xavier, and the X-Men, he is an individual who fights for his people's rights, mutant rights. His methods, like those of other anti-heroes, can be very extreme and frequently undermine the way of life for any suspected mutant opposition. Max heads an often highly-organized group of mutants who actively fight and kill for their equality and superiority.
Those who fend off his attacks and find themselves between Magneto's might and innocent people are the same individuals who work peacefully toward equality or to distance themselves from those who may oppress them. Magneto, like many other mutant characters, makes for fantastic stories and holds many parallels to real-life issues such as discrimination, oppression, and stereotypical associations.
5 Gambit
Remy Etienne LeBeau, better known as Gambit, is another mutant entry on this list, and like most mutants, he has had some serious trauma in his life. Remy was adopted into a mob family at the bright-eyed age of 10 years old, and had many poor influences in his life. He was a pick-pocket who excelled incredibly at that occupation when his new mutant powers awoke. While he, like many anti-hero type characters, struggled to find his way to do good, Gambit eventually joined the X-Men and made a name for himself in the eyes of those he helped or those who heard of his good actions. The character of Gambit has been rumored to receive a solo film for years now, with the actor connected to the project often being the cunning Channing Tatum, though he has yet to appear in any big screen film or television series to date.
4 Namor
Marvel's king of Atlantis, Namor, is another character whose name has been connected to characters joining the MCU for a while now. While Namor is technically a mutant character, like the previous entries on the list, he is most known for being the brutally protecting anti-hero of the sea and the king of the lost city of Atlantis. Namor has both helped some of our favorite heroes, and fought against them. It is true that Namor is an overall good character, even being a core member of Marvel's illuminati in the comics, but his loyalties and priorities lie with the people of his underwater kingdom. Similar to Wakanda, Atlantis is a nation that is highly advanced and very secluded from the rest of the world. Unlike Wakanda and its king, Namor and Atlantis are much more difficult to sell when trying to bring them into overarching world affairs.
3 Deadpool
Wade Wilson is a mercenary who gets mutated when injected with a serum that activates any dormant mutant genes and becomes the anti-hero Deadpool that we all know and love. This fourth-wall-breaking, smack-talking, uncanny vigilante finds himself at odds with heroes and villains alike, and often seemingly bites off more than he can chew. This arrogant, quick-witted character has been a hot commodity since Ryan Reynolds' film debut as the character in the then Fox-owned Marvel films. He is such a beloved character, and Ryan is such a perfect fit as Deadpool, that once Disney bought Fox, Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool was the first character fans clambered for. The unkillable character of Deadpool seems to have a project set in the MCU in the works; fingers crossed it comes to fruition.
2 Black Cat
Felicia Hardy, Marvel's Black Cat, is a Spider-Man enemy, love interest, and partner, depending on the story. She is a natural thief, but in the deepest parts of her heart she knows she is good, eventually becoming a true vigilante/anti-hero. She is put at odds with everybody's favorite web-slinging superhero often, yet can always seem to slickly slip away from any real trouble with Spider-Man. With Tom Holland's Spider-Man having fantastic success in the MCU and possibly getting a second trilogy of movies, fans can only hope to see the stunning and cunning Black Cat in action. She is quite literally Spider-Man's Kryptonite in human form; she is such a pure and seductive beauty.
1 Ghost Rider
The Ghost Rider had a couple of film adaptations before the MCU's formation, starring the talented Nicolas Cage as Johnny Blaze's Ghost Rider. In addition, Robbie Reyes' Ghost Rider has been featured in Marvel's Agents of Shield AMC television series, though it isn't main MCU canon. As one can suspect, Ghost Rider isn't a singular character but more so a title; the name and abilities are given to an individual by the demon Mephisto, and are accompanied by a life of servitude to him. While the Ghost Rider is given some great abilities, attributes, and powers, it comes at the price of selling one's soul. With there being a handful or so different Ghost Rider characters throughout Marvel Comics, any or all would be an incredibly exciting addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He may be the anti-hero of Marvel that has the most inner struggles doing good, for Mephisto doesn't make that easy.