The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the most successful and highest-grossing franchise in the history of film. The team behind the MCU has created an absolutely astonishing amount of blockbuster movies and shows since the debut of the original Iron Man film in 2008. To put this huge accomplishment in perspective, it’s as if Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Lord of the Rings were all part of the same universe and did movies with one another. In many ways, the MCU has already changed the entire industry. From here, things will only continue to branch off further and bring in a new generation of characters. It’s likely they will even bring in a new generation of fans in the process. They have an amazing network of characters still to draw from too. Marvel media have existed for over 80 years now, with many of the personalities we know and love first appearing as far back as 60 years ago. There are literally hundreds of characters still to bring to the big screen (or small screen) should they choose to do so.

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Marvel’s done an excellent job in bringing in lesser-known names into the mainstream and making them just as relevant as more established characters. For example, most people had never even heard of the Guardians of the Galaxy until the first film was announced. There’s rarely a key player that doesn’t get brought back in a slightly different role as well, whether it be in a solo movie, spinoff Disney+ show, or as a supporting character in another Marvel film. However, on a rare occasion, there were ideas that were pitched, looked to be happening, and then eventually didn’t go anywhere. Sometimes those plans have been integrated into the MCU elsewhere. Others were potentially better left incomplete. There are still a few ideas though that most fans would get behind if given the chance to do so. These plans deserve a second chance. It’s still possible some of these “lost” and unproduced ideas may still happen one day. However, with nothing officially announced at this point, it’s safer to assume that Marvel has moved on from them. For these reasons, let’s take a look at the best unproduced MCU movies that deserve another chance.

The Incredible Hulk Sequel

     Marvel

The Incredible Hulk has had a bit of a complicated cinematic journey over the past two decades. Mark Ruffalo is now the most recognized actor to play the character. However, it was Edward Norton and Eric Bana who first brought Hulk to the big screen via two different Hulk solo movies right before the MCU got underway with Iron Man. Getting yet another stand-alone Hulk film during the earlier phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was not an appealing option when there had already been Hulk movies released in both 2003 and 2008, shortly before Ruffalo took over the character. Instead, besides appearing in all four Avengers films, Hulk played a prominent role in Thor: Ragnarok, which is arguably the best Thor film to date. However, now Hulk is the only one of the original six Avengers not to get the MCU version of his story told in his own solo film or show. That being said, Mark Ruffalo will still be reprising Hulk in the upcoming She-Hulk show on Disney+ and is expected to be in various Marvel projects going forward. With regard to The Incredible Hulk getting another stand-alone film for himself, Ruffalo revealed in 2015 that because Universal holds the distribution rights and first right of refusal for any future Hulk films, this could prevent Marvel from making them, which he again reiterated in recent years.

Thunderbolts

Marvel’s version of essentially DC Comics’ Suicide Squad comes in the form of Thunderbolts. The group is made of bad characters who decide to do some good. In 2021, rumors about this film being in the works were reported on the Internet, giving this unproduced movie a legitimate chance of actually getting made. As a matter of fact, this could be the group that Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (played by Julia Louise-Dreyfus) has been shown recruiting in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (when talking with John Walker) and during the end credits of Black Widow (when assigning Yelena Belova to target Hawkeye). Even if it’s not, many comic book members of the Thunderbolts have already appeared in the MCU, such as Bucky Barnes (The Winter Soldier), Baron Zemo, and Hawkeye, among others. If assembled, this group would be a worthy opponent for any future superhero groups Marvel decides to form in the future. That being said, this may actually be the next great Marvel team, made up of a group of anti-heroes who will face a whole new set of foes.

Untitled Drax and Mantis Film

This Guardians of the Galaxy spin-off idea has been presented by director James Gunn to Marvel. For it to be made, however, it would have to take place roughly five years out when there’s a spot in the MCU schedule. Dave Bautista (who plays Drax) has said he has no interest in playing the character of Drax that far into the future, however, and has since stated that he will be retiring from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise upon the release of the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy 3. Perhaps Bautista making this comment on social media was a contract negotiation ploy to get a better deal though? Time will tell.

Hank Pym’s Ant-Man Prequel

     Marvel Studios

The Wasp’s Father is the scientist who originally created the shrinking and enlarging suits that both Ant-Man and The Wasp use. This film was originally pitched as a vehicle for Michael Douglas’ character to have a movie that gave a deeper backstory to how Ant-Man came to be. Actor Michael Douglas (who plays Hank Pym) is now in his late 70s, however, so the window of opportunity for this to take place may have passed. There is still an Ant-Man 3 film coming soon, though, where parts of this prequel idea can still be addressed, should it be beneficial to the long-term story of the film’s characters.

The Amazing Spider-Man 3

     Sony Pictures, Marvel Studios

While not originally part of the MCU timeline, the older Spider-Man films are now considered part of the MCU canon by many, thanks to the multi-franchise Spider-Man team-up in Spider-Man: No Way Home. However, at the time they were made, the earlier films were all completely part of Sony. That being said, if a new Spider-Man film were to come out at this point starring Andrew Garfield in the lead role, it’s safe to assume it would be part of the MCU in some form, especially with the use of the multiverse now available. For that reason, we are including this potential film here. Why would a film starring Andrew Garfield as Spider-Man come out now? Because after his appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home there has been a big push for it to happen from fans. The interest has been so high that even current Spider-Man, Tom Holland has been asked about it and gave the idea his blessing.