10 Heroes I Hope to See in Marvel’s “Phase 3”

If you’ve paid attention to what Marvel’s been up to, you’ll notice the words “Phase 2” lurking over the collective films coming out from 2013-2015 which include Iron Man 3, Thor 2, Captain America 2, Avengers 2, Ant-Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy. While this might be the first time we all squeal over impending sequels and trilogies, the fangirl within can’t help but look off into what the future might hold as this is the best time to be a comic geek. Hundreds of heroes are waiting in the wings with years of story telling just begging to be brought to the big screen. While I would personally LOVE a buddy cop type of flick with Nick Fury and Agent “Cheese” Coulson, I’m going to try to be realistic in my wish list below. These are in addition to whatever other installments of Thor, Captain America, and Avengers Marvel decides to have greenlit, so let’s take a look, shall we?

1. Doctor Strange

Destined to become the occult master Sorceror Supreme, Stephen wasn’t the same after the death of his younger sister, and although he accomplished much in the medical field, his talents and withdrawal from everyone made him arrogant. More family tragedy led to a smaller personal tragedy, but this one left him unable to utilize his considerable medical talents, talents that had given him a vast fortune. He turned to drinking and soon squandered his money in hopes of finding a way to re-enter medicine. Whispers of the Ancient One led him to Tibet and he began studying every bit of the occult he could. He eventually teams up with the Fantastic Four, Thor, and in time, became a valuable member of the Avengers. All that magic and tragedy brought to screen would be fascinating to watch and I can’t help but hope that this sad little doctor gets his chance to shine. The fan favorite casting choice for Stephen seems to be a man already well versed in playing a doctor, one Patrick Dempsey.

2. The Runaways

What about the children!? It’s a glaring oversight in comics everywhere. Yes, heroes save the day after pummeling villains, but don’t they ever reproduce? The Runaways revolves around the pre-teen/teen offspring of Los Angeles’ most ruthless gang, The Pride. Thinking their parents were just organizing a charity fundraiser, their way of life is shattered when they stumble upon their parents sacrificing innocents to further their evil. Each kid has powers or a talent that are wonderfully explored through vibrant writing and even more awesome art. As they try to atone for their parents’ evil doing, they come across some very familiar faces (Captain America, Cloak and Dagger to name  a couple) and help out in the crossover events like Civil War and Secret Invasion. Development was already underway in early 2010 and when the last bit of news surfaced late last yeat, it was tentatively scheduled for 2015 after Marvel decided to focus on the Avengers. With magic users, aliens, and a badass bio-engineered velociraptor, I definitely think The Runaways could make a fantastic flick.

3. The Hulk

I feel like it is safe to say that everyone’s issues with Mark Ruffalo being cast as Bruce Banner were utterly destroyed upon watching The Avengers. An actor I felt was mediocre at best in rom-com after rom-com was not okay with me as scientist turned monster, Banner. Luckily, Ruffalo exceeded expectations from that first yell at Black Widow and I was convinced he was perfect. Now, it feels like he’ll be on the back burner for quite a while, assuming he only makes cameos in the already announced movies, before he has his very own film. I hated both the Norton and Bana iincarnations with a passion so even if Whedon isn’t helming it, I’ll be excited to see Ruffalo slip on the mo-cap outfit once more to provide us with the first fun Hulk I’ve seen since Ferrigno in the (hopefully) near future.

4. Cloak and Dagger

This duo has been in talks for a TV show and movie for so long, it’s just like COME ON, ALREADY! They’re a team not many are aware of and their origin is the perfect stuff of superhero story sure to stay with you. Rich girl Tandy and poor boy Tyrone met in New York City as runaways, each leaving a life of hardship and became fast friends. Hold your horses though as this isn’t a tale about a guy being friendzoned! Tyrone and Tandy’s mutant genes activate after a brush with a synthetic heroin drug being tested on them against their will and formed a tight bond of dark and light, becoming Cloak and Dagger. I can see this property being turned into a TV show as the war on drugs that is a prime driving force behind their stories as definitely something that could have a positive influence on kids and adults alike. As far as who I’d like to be cast in it….well, I don’t have an answer for you. I think the actors would need to be young-ish and internet searches have shown Hayden Panettiere as top choice for Tandy, but I don’t quite feel like she’s right, but what do I know!? I’m just a girl on the internet.

5. Iron Fist

Danny Rand is one of my all time favorite characters in t he Marvel Universe  as he’s one of those “believable” characters that have a superpower that isn’t really a superpower (or is it?). Already an accomplished martial artist, Danny was lucky enough to plunge his fists into the heart of a dying dragon and was infused with its mega energy which, paired with his ability to channel his chi to boost up his sense to extraordinary levels, makes him quite formidable to go up against. His origin story is a sad one, but I think those Asian influences would work beautifully in a feature length film, and not just because I want to see a dragon and general kickass-ery. Okay, fine, you caught me in a lie, but this could be an amazing action type film with fights everywhere so someone like actor/pro fighter Scott Adkins would be perfect to deliver those blows in real time against unsuspecting goons. Yes, this has the highest potential to be cheesy as hell, but it also provides the perfect opportunity to introduce:

6. Luke Cage

An experimental procedure gone wrong left Carl Lucas with skin impervious to harm and enhanced his muscles, strength, and durability, something that boosted his street fighting to a fearful force to be reckoned with. After becoming a “hero for hire”, he teamed up with Iron Fist for a while and went up against Doctor Doom in one of his first fights before finally teaming up with the Avengers. This is particularly interesting as Doctor Doom is included in some movie rights that just made its way back to Marvel. The fans with the internet at their fingertips all seem to yearn for Mekhi Phifer to don that yellow shirt!

7. Black Panther

He’s been hinted at in Iron Man. He has had a movie in the works since 1992. In case you can’t do math, that’s TWENTY years ago. As recently as July 9, 2012, rumors are still rampant, with the latest being Raw Leiba cast as Black Panther nemesis, Erik Killmonger. I feel like it’s safe to say that Black Panther is the most certain out of every property on this list to hit the big screen. As for T’Challa himself, King of Wakanda, I would LOOOOOOOOOOVE an established actor like Djimon Hounsou to portray him, but the biggest outcry I fear would be over his age, to which I say: “SHUT UP.”

8. Namor

Namor is probably one of the least known heroes on this list, so think of him like the Marvel version of Aquaman, except…much more arrogant and willing to sleep with any lady of the Marvelverse. He’s arrogant royalty at its best and routinely strikes first and asks questions later. With villains like Tiger Shark (who Vin Diesel could play WONDERFULLY) and Attuma (here, I’d cast Tom Hardy), Namor could potentially be a LOt of action-filled fun. When I started to think about who would play the leading man, I came up blank several times. I thought over the usual dark haired actors who are popular and dismissed each one. Who could possibly pull off the haughtiness, that sneer of entitlement? Then, as I was watching previews on a movie I rented, I saw Johnathan Rhys Meyers. He’s played an asshole more often than not so it’d be a believable role, but he’d have to buff up significantly, a feat many actors have accomplished. All that aside, I think Namor is the least likely on this list.

9. Daredevil

I don’t like Ben Affleck. I didn’t like the Daredevil movie. I feel that maybe if Marvel is behind this hero and gives him proper movie justice, maybe I’ll be more into Daredevil as all I’ve read is 7 issues of Kevin Smith’s run, which I liked, but haven’t continued. I only ask that maybe Sean Astin be cast as Foggy.

10. Fantastic Four

I know these rights haven’t quite reverted back to Marvel (or have they?), but please, PLEASE can I get a real movie and not this two movie travesty that had a swirling cloud of doom for Galactus?! They got it right with Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm, but holy cow was Jessica Alba sorely miscast. Again, I’m not the biggest F4 fan out there, but I enjoy their rogue gallery so it would be great to have those show up in a potential trilogie.

Well, you’ve seen my list, so what’s yours?