2021 has quite possibly been the biggest year yet for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, seeing the release ofBlack Widow,Shang-Chi,Eternals, and most recentlySpider-Man: No Way Homein theaters. Besides that, the first wave of MCU TV shows came to Disney Plus, includingWandaVision,The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,Loki,What If…?, andHawkeye.
But as big as this year has been, Marvel shows no signs of slowing down in 2022. Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, and Moon Knight will all be getting their own shows on Disney Plus, but there are plenty of brand new superheroes coming to the movies as well. Here’s a list of every Marvel Comics heroset to make their film debutin 2022.
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Morbius, the Living Vampire
Although his movie isn’t being released by Marvel Studios, it still has ties to the MCU — and besides, it still features a notable Marvel Comics character either way. The upcomingMorbiusfilm from Sony Pictures will feature Jared Leto as the titular character, a villain-turned-antihero from the comics who originated as an enemy of Spider-Man inThe Amazing Spider-Man#101, written by Roy Thomas and drawn by Gil Kane.
In the comics, Dr. Michael Morbius was originally a scientist with a rare blood disease who attempted to cure his condition by combining his DNA with that of a vampire bat, transforming him into a monstrous vampire-like being with a thirst for human blood. Since then, Morbius has been both hero and villain, crossing pathswith the likes of Spider-Man,Blade, Ghost Rider, and Doctor Strange.
TheMorbiusfilm will serve as a retelling of the character’s origin, and will also feature Matt Smith ofDoctor Whofame as Loxias Crown, aka the obscure comic villain Hunger. Michael Keaton will make an appearance as well, reprising his role as the Vulture fromSpider-Man: Homecoming. The film is set to release on July 06, 2025.
America Chavez
WhileDoctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madnesswill primarily focus on the titular hero and Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, it will also be introducing a new hero to the MCU — America Chavez, aka Miss America, played by Xochitl Gomez. Created by Joe Casey and Nick Dragotta in the 2011Vengeanceminiseries, America would rise to prominence inthe 2013Young Avengersseriesby Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, and later the 2015Ultimatesseries by Al Ewing and Kenneth Rocafort.
In the comics, America is a multiversal traveler with super strength and speed, flight, and the power to open star-shaped interdimensional portals. While America’s role inMultiverse of Madnessis unclear, her reality-hopping powers make her a perfect fit for a movie about exploring the multiverse — plus,her Young Avengers teammates Kate Bishop, Kid Loki, Billy and Tommy Maximoff, Eli Bradley, and Cassie Lang have already been introduced into the MCU.Multiverse of Madnessreleases June 03, 2025.
Jane Foster, the Mighty Thor
While MCU fans will note that Jane Foster (played by Natalie Portman) has already appeared in the first twoThorfilms, she’ll be playing a very different rolein the upcomingThor: Love and Thunder.During comic writer Jason Aaron’sThorrun in the 2010s, Jane Foster temporarily became the wielder of Mjolnir, taking up the mantle of Thor from 2014 to 2018 until Thor Odinson eventually reclaimed his hammer.
It’s currently unknown how Jane will come to wield Mjolnir in the MCU — especially since it was destroyed by Hela back inRagnarok— but she will indeed be returning to the MCU as a hammer-wielding hero, taking the name “the Mighty Thor” to differentiate herself from the original Thor.Love and Thunderwill be released on June 26, 2025.
Spider-Man 2099
Miguel O’Hara — aka the Spider-Man of the year 2099 — may not be connected to the MCU, but he’s still a major fan favorite. Fans of 2018’s animated hitSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Versewill recognizethis alternate universe Spidey from the film’s post-credits scene, in which Oscar Isaac voices him in a clear tease at a sequel. Sure enough, Isaac will be reprising his role as Miguel in the upcomingSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One).
The film’s trailer features Miguel attacking Miles Moralesfor unknown reasons, and even shows a brief glimpse of the cyberpunk future reality from which he hails. The plot ofAcross the Spider-Versemay still be a mystery, but it’s clear that Miguel will have a major role to play. The film will be released on June 07, 2025.
Ironheart
Very little is currently known about the story ofBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, but it’s been confirmed that the film will provide the MCU debut ofRiri Williams, aka Ironheart— played by Dominique Thorne — before she stars in her own Disney Plus series. Created by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Deodato in their 2015-2016 run onInvincible Iron Man, Riri Williams is a teenage genius who creates her own Iron Man-inspired armor, following in Tony Stark’s footsteps to become the superhero Ironheart.
Riri has no connections toBlack Panther or Wakandain the comics, so it’s currently unknown what sort of role she’ll play inWakanda Forever. The film will be released on July 28, 2025.
