The Universe of Marvel ComicsOriginally known as Timely Publications and then as Atlas Comics, the comic book publishing company known as Marvel began in 1961 when it launched The Fantastic Four.
Over 300 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of 13 Marvel Performances We Want To See Brought Into The MCU’s Multiverse
Voting Rules
Vote up the Marvel performances you'd love to see come back in the MCU's expanding multiverse.
Everybody knows the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the hottest film property around, but what about the non-MCU Marvel movies? Back when an interconnected superhero universe was just a fan's dream, there were still plenty of chances to see classic Marvel characters on the big screen (some more successful than others). With the news that Jamie Foxx will be playing Electro again in the upcoming third MCU Spider-Man, it potentially opens the door for other non-MCU characters to return to the fold.
Doctor Strange and the Scarlet Witch are clearly going to be surfing around the Marvel multiverse in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and that just begs for cameos from Marvel stars of yesteryear. What has Tobey Maguire's Peter Parker been up to since 2007's Spider-Man 3? Ever wished that Wesley Snipes' Blade was around to handle all the MCU villains trying to ice skate uphill? And you know, that Johnny Storm from 2005's Fantastic Four really does look a lot like Captain America...
This might be the most predictable addition in light of the character's popularity, the actor's willingness, and Disney's acquisition of Fox. It is hard to believe that just a few years ago, Wade Wilson was a niche comic book character that only dedicated fans really cared about. Those days are long gone thanks to Ryan Reynolds.
Each of the two Deadpool movies grossed over $700 million worldwide and transformed the character from a fourth-wall-breaking comic book character into a certified pop culture phenomenon. This one seems like less of an "if" and more of a "when." The biggest question is whether the R rating will make the jump with him into the MCU.
Across all comic book movies, few actors have managed to capture the essence of their comic book counterpart as successfully as Hugh Jackman did with Wolverine. Now one of the most recognizable stars on the planet, Jackman was a little-known Australian actor when he first booked the role in 2000's X-Men.
Jackman would go on to appear as the surly mutant in film after film for seventeen years, and fans weren't ready to say goodbye when the character was put to rest in 2017's Logan. Even if he popped up in a small cameo, not unlike he did in X-Men: First Class, it would be a great treat to long-time Marvel fans.
There is no doubt that Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen did an amazing job bringing the complicated relationship of Magneto and Professor X to life in the original X-Men films, but it'd be hard to see those actors making anything but a cameo appearance in the MCU. On the other hand, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender did an equally fantastic job portraying the sometimes-rivals, sometimes-friends in the newer X-Men films over the past decade, and they could potentially take on a significant part if it could make a proper bridge between the X-Men universe and the MCU.
When Marvel Studios decides to bring mutants into their cinematic universe – something they are surely going to do as you don't leave a billion-dollar franchise sitting dormant long - it would be fun for them to bring McAvoy and Fassbender back into the fold. It's not like the X-Men have a lengthy history with both time and dimensional travel in the comic books or anything...
2004's Spider-Man 2 was an improvement over its predecessor in every conceivable way and is still considered to be one of the finest superhero films of all-time. Alfred Molina's performance as a tragic Doctor Octopus was central to the film's lasting success.
Having a fan-favorite villain from a fan-favorite movie make a return to Marvel film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe would certainly be a delight for die-hard Spidey aficionados. What with Spider-Man 2 director Sam Raimi making his return to the big screen with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, never say never with this one.
If there is a singular standout performance in 2002's Spider-Man, then Willem Dafoe's turn as Norman Osborn is it. He uses all of his considerable acting talents to chew through every scene, oozing "comic book villain" all-the-while. His off-the-wall performance really makes the film what it is.
While Chris Cooper made a short appearance as the character in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, we're really just clamoring for Dafoe to bring his deranged smirk back to the Spider-Man franchise. Even if the character died at the end of the original Spider-Man film, death means nothing in the Multiverse. He could be a Norman Osborn who became Spider-Man for all we know. Anything is possible!
While 2000's X-Men certainly was the surprise success that kicked off the superhero movie boom, it was 2002's Spider-Man that put superhero movies on the map, grossing over $800 million at the worldwide box office and turning Tobey Maguire into an A-list star. For a generation of moviegoers, Maguire is *the* one-and-only, true Peter Parker.
Nearly 20 years on from the role that earned him widespread fame, it would be incredible to see Maguire return as the wall-crawler. Even if it is just as a throwaway scene of him meeting Tom Holland's Peter - maybe the pair of them could do a dance number? - fans would surely lose their minds if Tobey put his suit on one last time.
