TheAvengersfilms are the main pillars of theMarvel Cinematic Universeand are known for bringing together iconic heroes, but some characters were completely underutilized. The Avengers movies are frequently the centerpieces ofthe MCU timeline, bringing together the greatest heroes for thrilling adventures. However, for every shining star, there are characters who, despite having immense potential, are either sidelined or underdeveloped within these films. This article focuses exclusively on theAvengersfilms, leaving out other MCU projects where these characters were developed further.
TheAvengersfranchise represents the culmination of years of interconnected storytelling within the MCU. Beginning withThe Avengersin 2012, the series expanded in scope, blending solo heroes into team dynamics. The subsequent movies,Avengers: Age of Ultron,Avengers: Infinity War, andAvengers: Endgamecontinued this trend. It’s important to note thatCaptain America: Civil Waris excluded from this discussion, as, while it features the Avengers line-up, it is fundamentally a Captain America movie. Likewise, these reflections focus solely on the Avengers films, disregarding the broader MCU, where many of these characters received more attention.
10The Winter Soldier Was Scaled Back In the Avengers Movies
Played By Sebastian Stan
Bucky Barnes, aka the Winter Soldier, thrived in Captain America’s standalone films, particularlyCaptain America: The Winter Soldier(2014), where his tragic backstory and complex relationship with Steve Rogers were explored in-depth. However, in theAvengersmovies themselves,his role was notably diminished. He was absent fromAvengers: Age of Ultron, and while he had a brief but notable presence inAvengers: Infinity War, his arc was interrupted by the Blip, where he was the first character who was dusted after the Snap.
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This left Bucky largely sidelined for much ofAvengers: Endgame, witha fairly underwhelming return compared to other characters. Despite this, the character found new life inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, where his narrative was given significant focus. Withthe MCU’sThunderbolts*, Bucky will likely reclaim his prominence, but within the coreAvengersfilms, he was underutilized.
9Quicksilver’s Abrupt Death Wasted A Classic Avenger
Played By Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Pietro Maximoff, aka Quicksilver, was introduced inAvengers: Age of Ultronas a powerful speedster with a tragic backstory, closely tied to his twin sister Wanda Maximoff. Despite being one of the earliest Avengers in the comics, his cinematic journey wastragically short. Quicksilver’s death in the same film was abrupt, leaving many disappointed that such a unique and beloved character was removed so quickly. His comic history and potential for team dynamics were all but ignored.
Since then, Quicksilver’s legacy has been explored more in theWandaVisionseries, with references to his comic book counterpart. However, his brief stint in theAvengersfilms remains a missed opportunity to flesh out a vital character. It felt like sucha waste to have a compelling characterbe a one-and-done player when he could have joined the main Avengers team for numerous movies.
8Ultron Squandered A Great Villain (And Performance)
Played By James Spader
James Spader’s portrayal of Ultron inAvengers: Age of Ultronwas one of the film’s few highlights. His voice acting brought a charismatic menace to the character, transforming him into a memorable villain with a clear agenda and wit. Unfortunately, the film’s script and pacingleft little room for Ultron to reach his full potential. The character was defeated rather easily, with his role ultimately reduced to that of a generic antagonist.
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The decision not to bring Ultron back in later films, particularly considering the strength of Spader’s performance, is a missed opportunity. However, audiences continue to hope that Easter eggs and references point towards a potential return, adding a lingering sense of what could have been. The biggest example is inSpider-Man: Homecoming, where Peter Parker finds the head of an Ultron clone with the eyes still glowing red.
7Maria Hill Was Set Up To Be A Pivotal Player
Played By Cobie Smulders
When Maria Hill was introduced inThe Avengers(2012), she seemed poised to become an integral part of the MCU, playing a vital role in the operations of SHIELD and in the formation of the Avengers team. Yet, after her early prominence,she was relegated to background roles in laterAvengersfilms. InAvengers: Age of Ultron, her presence was minimal, and her later cameos in the MCU films felt more like a nod to her importance than a significant narrative presence.
Despite this, Maria Hill has been given more focus in other MCU stories, especially inAgents of SHIELD, but her underutilization in theAvengersmovies is a clear case of wasted potential. Indeed, Maria Hill isone of the most wasted characters in the whole MCU. She could have allowed for further exploration of SHIELD’s inner workings but was mostly reduced to cameo appearances thereafter.
6Hawkeye Faded Into The Background
Played By Jeremy Renner
Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye, has long been considered one of the more sidelined members of the Avengers team. WhileThe Avengers(2012) gave him a solid introduction,much of his character was overshadowed by other heroes, particularly when he was mind-controlled by Loki for a large portion of the film. ByAvengers: Age of Ultron, his role felt more background, with little character development, aside from revealing his secret family life. InAvengers: Infinity War, Hawkeye was completely absent.
Even though Hawkeye had a more significant role inAvengers: Endgame, his earlier portrayals cemented him as one of the most underwhelming characters in the team. His ownHawkeyeseries, however, provided him with the chance for some redemption,making him a more rounded and interesting figure. Yet this came too late to bolster his appearances inAvengersmovies.
5Hulk Has Been Repeatedly Sidelined
Played By Mark Ruffalo
Hulk’s transformation from a solo hero inThe Incredible Hulk(2008) to a team player in the Avengers films is an interesting one. In the firstThe Avengers, Hulk was pivotal to the team’s success,exploring his raw power and inner conflict. However, his presence was diminished inAvengers: Age of Ultron, which gave Bruce Banner some central scenes, but Hulk was relegated to only a handful of appearances.
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Despite a thrilling first fight against Thanos in the opening scene ofAvengers: Infinity War, Hulk’s absence was conspicuous, with Bruce Banner struggling to summon his alter ego. The character’s role inAvengers: Endgamewas even more disappointing, with Hulk being ‘nerfed’ into the Professor Hulk persona,removing much of his raw, chaotic power. The film turned him into more of a comedic element, sidelining his potential as a force of nature.
4Eitri Wasted Peter Dinklage’s Talent
Played By Peter Dinklage
Peter Dinklage’s appearance inAvengers: Infinity Waras Eitri, the King of the Dwarves, wasa fun surprise for audiences, but ultimately a missed opportunity considering the actor’s caliber. His portrayal brought gravitas to the character, who played a critical role in forging Thor’s new weapon, Stormbreaker. However, Eitri’s role was largely inconsequential beyond this one task.
Avengers: Infinity Warseemed to use Dinklage’s towering talent as a bit of a gimmick. Dinklage’s Eitri, though a dwarf, bucked expectations by being exceptionally tall,seemingly lampooning the actor’s height. As such, it seemed like Marvel had cast him for his stature while not allowing him to truly delve into the complexities of his character. Eitri never returned to the MCU, though appeared in a deleted scene inThor: Love and Thunde.As a resut, the potential for further development was squandered, leaving Eitri as a one-off character.
3Agent Coulson Should Have Returned
Played By Clark Gregg
Phil Coulson, portrayed by Clark Gregg, was a cornerstone of the early MCU films, playinga pivotal role in bringing together the Avengers in the solo movies beforeThe Avengers(2012). His death at the hands of Loki was a major emotional turning point for the team, uniting them against their enemy. Indeed, it seemed like Agent Coulson was gone for good. However, Coulson was revived inAgents of SHIELD, where his character was further explored.
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Despite his integral role in the MCU’s formative years, Coulson never returned to theAvengersfilms, despite this resurrection. This makes his absence in later installments feel like a missed opportunity. His returncould have added a layer of continuity and emotional depth, tying the earlier films to the more recent events of the MCU and its ancillary projects.
2Captain Marvel Was Reduced To A Plot Device
Played By Brie Larson
Carol Danvers, aka Captain Marvel, was introduced as one of the most powerful heroes in the MCU, with her own solo filmCaptain Marvel(2019) showcasing her immense potential. However, when she appeared inAvengers: Endgame, her role was that of a plot device rather than a fully fleshed-out character. After briefly appearing in the early scenes, she was largely absent for much of the film,only to reappear in the final battle against Thanos, where she was used to help turn the tide.
Despite being the most powerful Avenger present, shewas reduced to a deus ex machina– something/someone that appears at the end to resolve a narrative. It felt lazy, with the movie struggling to justify her absence until this point. Thankfully, the character has since been given more focus in her own films, where her narrative is allowed to flourish.
1Falcon Should Have Been Centered More To Better Set Up His Future
Played By Anthony Mackie
Sam Wilson, aka Falcon, played a supporting role in theAvengersfilms, but his character arc was somewhat overshadowed by larger personalities. His role inAvengers: Age of Ultronwas very minor, spending much of the narrative in search of Bucky Barnes. InAvengers: Infinity War, he againfaded into the background, save for a couple of memorable moments in the Battle of Wakanda.
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It wasn’t untilAvengers: Endgamethat Falcon received a more triumphant moment, when his entrance signaled the Avengers’ return. As the new Captain America, Falcon’s prominence in futureAvengersfilms, likeAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, seems inevitable. However, his earlier lack of focus within the main Avengers films makes his rise feel like an underdeveloped journey, and his potential was not fully realized on the big screen. Though he was given his development inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier,his pivotal role in the MCU’s future could have been better served by more prominencein theAvengersmovies.
The Avengers
Cast
The sixth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers is an action superhero film that sees the heroes assembled across the franchise face off with a deadly galactic threat. With the arrival of Thor’s brother, Loki, heroes such as Captain America, The Hulk, Iron Man, and Black Widow are brought together to stop him from unleashing an alien race upon earth.
Avengers: Age of Ultron
Avengers: Age of Ultron, released in 2015, follows Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man and Captain America, as they contend with Ultron, a rogue AI with plans for global annihilation. This Marvel sequel sees The Avengers form uneasy alliances and embark on a perilous global adventure to thwart Ultron’s schemes.
Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgame, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, concludes the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Infinity Saga. It follows the remaining Avengers as they attempt to reverse the destruction caused by Thanos, navigating complex dynamics and forging alliances to restore balance to the universe.
