The MCU is beloved for its expansive world of stories and characters. However, some fans argue that certain protagonists and antagonists were written out of the MCU too prematurely before they had a chance to reach their full potential.
These characters showed flashes of what made them compelling but were sadly killed off in their first appearance. Here are 10 MCU characters that Marvel Studios killed off too soon.
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10. Black Bolt
Anson Mount’s portrayal of Black Bold in the Doctor Strange sequel was a standout performance, given he didn’t utter a single word. Mount was able to convey so much through his expressions alone. It was a shock when Wanda killed him off so quickly after being introduced.
As leader of the Inhumans, Black Bolt had the potential to be a major player in the MCU. His ability to destroy creatures with the slightest sound made him an exciting character. It’s a shame we’ll never get to see more of Mount in this role.
9. Quicksilver
Introduced in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron‘, Aaron Taylor-Johnson brought charm and attitude to Quicksilver. His superspeed abilities made for some fun scenes. However, Quicksilver met his demise very early on, leaving fans wanting more.
There was so much potential in further exploring his dynamic with his sister Wanda and the other heroes. It was disappointing not to have Quicksilver around for more movies.
8. Maria Rambeau
‘Captain Marvel‘ showcased a touching friendship between Carol Danvers and Maria Rambeau. Actors Brie Larson and Lashana Lynch had fantastic chemistry as well. Maria served as a mentor figure to Carol. However, her death in a ‘WandaVision‘ flashback felt abrupt.
While an alternate version of Maria emerged in the multiverse, it’s not the same as getting to see more of the original Maria alongside Carol in future adventures. Fans were just starting to connect with this character when she was killed off.
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7. Peggy Carter
The romance between Peggy and Steve was one of the most poignant in the early MCU movies. Hayley Atwell and Chris Evans brought their relationship to a vibrant life. However, Peggy’s death in ‘Captain America: Civil War‘ ended any possibility of further exploring her bond with Steve, once he returned to the present day.
Their chemistry merited more focus in additional movies as they fought side by side. Between Peggy’s death and Alzheimer’s diagnosis, their love story felt incomplete even though a conclusion was given in ‘Avengers: Endgame’.
6. Gorr The God Butcher
Christian Bale’s take on Gorr in ‘Thor: Love and Thunder‘ was utterly chilling. He stole every scene he was in as the vengeful Marvel character. Given his quest to murder all gods across the universe, Gorr seemed destined to serve as Thor’s greatest foe.
Despite all these expectations, he was instead offed in the film, making it a one-time appearance. Bale’s performance showed there was so much story potential left for this compelling antagonist. His nihilistic worldview could have fueled many future clashes with Thor and other heroes.
5. Gamora
While an alternate version of Gamora now exists in the current MCU timeline, it’s not the same Gamora that was killed in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’. Zoe Saldana brought heart and complexity to this character over several Guardians of the Galaxy team-ups.
Gamora’s family dynamic with the other Guardians was meaningful to witness. Along with that, her relationship with Peter Quill in particular had only begun to blossom. There was more storytelling left for Gamora, so her demise felt premature. Her fate was also a crushing blow to Peter.
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4. Talos
Ben Mendelsohn was pitch-perfect casting as the wily yet sympathetic Skrull Talos. His team-up with Nick Fury against rogue factions made for some of the most fun scenes in ‘Captain Marvel‘. Their odd-couple dynamic continued to sparkle in future appearances.
Therefore, it was too soon for Talos to meet his demise in ‘Secret Invasion‘ after initially surviving his debut movie. There was so much comedic and dramatic potential left in Talos’ partnership with Fury across multiple movies and shows.
3. Yon-Rogg
Jude Law inhabited the complex Kree commander Yon-Rogg with layers of menace and mystery in ‘Captain Marvel’. As Carol Danvers’ former mentor turned villain, he ignited her journey of self-discovery.
Law delivered a layered performance that suggested Yon-Rogg’s story had only started. His extremist views about Kree supremacy could have driven engaging conflicts. The film also hinted there was more to his backstory worth exploring. Jude Law’s acting caliber was wasted as he was killed off in his first appearance.
2. Mysterio
Jake Gyllenhaal was sublime in crafting the deceptive quality of Mysterio in ‘Spider-Man: Far From Home‘. To emphasize, His illusions added mystery to uncover Mysterio’s true agenda. Gyllenhaal thrived in these scenes that highlighted Mysterio’s manipulative cunning.
It’s a waste this formidable foe was killed just after being established. Mysterio surviving could have meant more devious schemes with an evolving adversarial dynamic versus Spider-Man across movies. Gyllenhaal was clearly relishing this role.
1. Killmonger
Michael B. Jordan dominated Black Panther with a multi-layered take on Erik Killmonger. His motivation of correcting colonial wrongs made Killmonger a complex villain with understandable rage. Jordan was captivating in how he shifted between calm calculative menace and fiery passion.
It’s frustrating such a talented actor had this role limited to a single film. Killmonger’s survival could have inspired future fascinating clashes and redemptive arcs versus T’Challa across the years.
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