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Over nearly two decades, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has crafted a beloved catalogue of characters across 47 movies and TV shows. Once-obscure figures like Iron Man and the Guardians of the Galaxy have transformed into global sensations, while iconic heroes such as Thor, Captain America, and Spider-Man continue to dominate the spotlight. However, in the midst of this success, certain fan-favorite characters have been noticeably sidelined, particularly in the recent Phases 4 and 5. A diligent fan has taken the initiative to quantify this oversight.
On the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), user @hdwmovies shared an analysis detailing the occurrences of major characters on screen from the time of Avengers: Endgame in 2019 to the anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, set for release in 2026. While Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor initially led the pack, the current rankings might surprise fans. Notably, this evaluation excludes brief cameos and post-credit appearances. Leading the count is Yelena Belova, portrayed by Florence Pugh, who has graced screens three times during this period, with another appearance expected in this year’s Thunderbolts. A noteworthy group, including Sam Wilson as Captain America (Anthony Mackie), Spider-Man (Tom Holland), Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), and Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), also have three appearances each.
Interestingly, several characters finding themselves at the bottom of the appearance tally are indeed supporting heroes, such as Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), and Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld). However, some entries are surprising, especially regarding more prominent superheroes like Thor and Hulk. Since Avengers: Endgame, Chris Hemsworth’s Thor has only featured once in the critically lauded Thor: Love and Thunder, while Hulk, played by Mark Ruffalo, has also made just one appearance—in the divisive Disney+ series, She-Hulk. This stark contrast becomes even more striking when looking back at their frequency of appearances between Iron Man and Avengers: Infinity War, where Thor appeared in five films, and Hulk in four.
One of the MCU’s Forgotten Heroes Nearly Led the Avengers
Shang-Chi, another character who has found himself overlooked, has made only one appearance in the MCU since Endgame. His only outing was in his titular film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which received positive feedback from both fans and critics, amassing over $432 million globally. Despite its success, Shang-Chi has not been seen again, either on the big screen or within the small screen realm.
However, plans for the previously shelved Avengers 5 script indicated a significant role for Shang-Chi. Initially, the canceled Kang Dynasty installment was poised to elevate him as a central figure in the Avengers lineup as they confronted the antagonist Kang (played by Jonathan Majors). Following serious allegations against Majors, which led to the film’s cancellation, both Kang and Shang-Chi currently remain in what could be described as narrative limbo. As anticipation builds for how these stories will unfold in Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release on May 1, 2026, fans are left pondering the fate of these beloved characters in the evolving MCU landscape.
Source
movieweb.com