The MCU Just Made a Forgotten Character One of Its Most Important

December 24, 2025, 9:30am

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has a habit of introducing characters and letting them fall by the wayside. The most prominent examples come from post-credits scenes, such as the one in Eternals, which features the MCU debut of Starfox, Thanos’ brother and a member of the titular species. In the comics, Starfox is a key figure in many stories and even becomes a member of the Avengers. However, the MCU doesn’t seem ready to put him on that kind of path, given the negative reception to Eternals. Clea finds herself in the same boat, as her introduction in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness‘ final minutes is easy to forget about because she’s yet to return in any way, shape, or form.

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It’s hard to blame the MCU for dropping characters that it doesn’t think its audience will connect with, but it can only happen so many times before things have to change. Phase Six is an oppurtunity for a fresh start, though, and, based on recent events, at least one forgotten character is going to get their moment in the sun. In fact, they may very well become one of the franchise’s most important figures.

Avengers: Doomsday Isn’t Sidelining One of the MCU’s Newest Powerhouses

The first teaser for Avengers: Doomsday isn’t about a forgotten character; it focuses on Steve Rogers as he returns home to care for his child. Cap being a dad is the farthest thing from shocking, as he lives to be a mentor and pass down all he knows. While it would seem like he wouldn’t have much to update his old allies on, since he’s seemingly been living a quiet life, a conversation between him and Thor might be on the table. After all, the God of Thunder finds himself taking on his most formidable challenge yet after the events of Thor: Love and Thunder: fatherhood.

Thor adopts Love, Gorr’s daughter, after the villain’s death, and the two hit it off quickly. But it was hard to imagine Love doing anything other than sitting on the sidelines during Doomsday after critics tore apart her MCU debut. Well, that idea is out the window because all signs point to the second Doomsday teaser putting the spotlight on Thor and his relationship with Love. A leaked description of the clip mentions Thor praying to his father, Odin, hoping he will guide him and help him see his daughter again. At this point, it’s unclear why Thor and Love aren’t fighting side by side, but a theory is taking shape that points to a dark plan.

The Avengers’ Kids Being at the Forefront of Doomsday‘s Marketing May Not Be a Coincidence

Obviously, the Russo brothers, who are directing Doomsday, have to play the cards they’ve been dealt with Thor. He didn’t have a child the last time they had their hands on him, but now that he does, they can’t ignore her. However, giving Steve a kid is a deliberate choice, one that doesn’t need to be made if there isn’t a story reason for it. It’s not a secret that Doomsday‘s plot will focus on Doctor Doom’s plot to destroy the multiverse, which is sure to get every hero off their butts and ready for action. But Doom is sure to have tricks up his sleeve that make it more difficult for the entire MCU to stand united against him. One thing that would surely make Earth’s Mightiest Heroes think twice about fighting is if their children were in danger.

Doom’s first act in the MCU is to go after Franklin Richards, Sue Storm and Reed Richards’ son, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps. While it’s easy to assume the villain is after the young boy’s power, it could be more than that; he could be after every kid that his enemies hold dear. Doom is famous for being ruthless, so keeping a few children hostage wouldn’t be out of character for him. He might even try to manipulate them because he’s going to need all the help he can get to make his vision for the multiverse a reality.

Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18, 2026.

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