While promotingCaptain America: Civil Warduring an event at Wizard World in New Orleans back in January 2016, Joe Russo said that they were breaking the story onAvengers: Infinity War, and they had a board with “67 characters” on it. That seemingly innocuous statement made headlines around the world, with the Russo Brothers ultimately walking back that exact number, although many fans went intoAvengers: Infinity Warliterally expecting every MCU character to surface in the movie, but that was not the case at all. So we decided to delve through the 18 previous movies to determine which major characters didn’t surface inAvengers: Infinity War.
We have narrowed it down to 22 characters who have been introduced throughout theMarvel Cinematic Universewho weren’t seen inAvengers: Infinity War, although some of whom were actually mentioned or talked about. The 22 we have picked out at least have a shot, we think, some greater than others, at returning inAvengers 4, for various reasons, while the Honorable Mentions seem less likely, although some may be back in stand alone sequels. Without further adieu, here are the 22 major Marvel Cinematic Universe characters who weren’t featured inAvengers: Infinity War, starting with the two most obvious.
Given his contributions inCaptain America: Civil War, many assumed that Ant-Man a.k.a. Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) would show up inAvengers: Infinity War, but that didn’t happen. Black Widow did mention both Ant-Man and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) during one brief scene, stating they opted to stay with their families. It has been reported thatAnt-Man and the Wasp(July 6) is set betweenCivil WarandInfinity War, likely setting up Ant-Man’s return inAvengers 4.
Since it was already established that Hawkeye has a wife (Linda Cardellini) and kids to take care of, it wasn’t terribly surprising that he chose to sit outAvengers: Infinity Warand protect them. Hawkeye has already been confirmed forAvengers 4, with his new haircut and outfit suggesting that his family was killed by Thanos' actions, which likely motivates this stoic archer to return to join the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
21The Wasp
The Wasp (Evangeline Lilly) is another character who has already been confirmed forAvengers 4, and we’ll likely learn exactly what she was doing duringAvengers: Infinity WarduringAnt-Man and the Wasp, which is said to overlap with the events ofInfinity War. Given that this sequel brings back her long-lost mother Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer), it’s understandable that she sat out this fight, but expect to see her back in action inAvengers 4.
20Hank Pym
While some expected either Ant-Man or The Wasp to show up inAvengers: Infinity War, most weren’t likely expecting their mentor (and The Wasp’s father) Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) to make an appearance. Since Ant-Man and The Wasp sat this one out though, it makes sense that Pym does too, but while Ant-Man and the Wasp are expected to surface inAvengers 4, I can’t see much of a reason for Pym to show up. Then again, with how little we know about theAvengers 4story, anything is possible.
19Betty Ross
After Secretary of State Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross (William Hurt) made an unexpected return in 2016’sCaptain America: Civil War, and after it was confirmed he would return inAvengers: Infinity War, many wondered if his daughter, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) was too far behind. While Betty still hasn’t surfaced yet, she could be a character whose unexpected return adds some shock value toAvengers 4, like the surprise appearance of Red Skull inInfinity War. There has been no evidence (set photos, rumors, etc.), perhaps she could be brought in at the last minute to provide some assistance with The Hulk (Mark Ruffalo).
18Emil Blonsky, a.k.a. The Abomination
While it’s been 10 years since we’ve seen The Abomination in 2008’sThe Incredible Hulk, he has been referenced on ABC’sAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.in more recent years. It has been revealed a few times on the show that he has been locked up in custody at a facility known as The Vault in Alaska. A character like this would be a prime candidate for a surprise cameo, and if another epic battle with Thanos (Josh Brolin) is coming inAvengers 4, the rest of humanity may need some help from this massive creature.
17Samuel Sterns
If The Abomination returns, it’s therefore possible that his creator, Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) could return as well. Sterns is in fact still alive, and like Abomination, he’s in S.H.I.E.L.D custody, but it isn’t exactly known where he’s being incarcerated at. Still, Sterns would likely not do too much good in any sort of fight, but if The Abomination is set free, perhaps Samuel Sterns will get to tag along for the ride.
16Justin Hammer
Tony Stark’s nemesis Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) hasn’t been seen on the big screen since his MCU debut inIron Man 2, when he was locked up for his villainous deeds, and in the final One-Shot short filmAll Hail the King. Hammer is still locked away at Seagate Prison, so, barring a daring prison break, the best chance we’d get to see Justin Hammer is if someone else was sent to Seagate duringAvengers 4, and that seems unlikely.
15Agent Phil Coulson
If I had to put any money on any character making a long-awaited return to the movie side of the MCU inAvengers 4, it would be Agent Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg). Coulson’s death at the hands of Loki inThe Avengershelped galvanize Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and bring them together, and while fans know he’s really been alive this whole time, on the ABC seriesMarvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., no one on the MCU movie side knows this. Coulson is already returning to the movie side inCaptain Marvel, which is set in the 1990s, but it’s possible this also segues into a present-day return of Coulson inAvengers 4, bringing this character back from the dead, as it were… or at least back fro Tahiti…
14Lady Sif
Avengers: Infinity Wardirectors Anthony and Joe Russo confirmed in an interview shortly afterInfinity War’s release that Sif was among the casualties of Thanos wiping out half of existence. This makes her a prime candidate to return in some fashion (since the prevailing theory is that those who were disintegrated will be reanimated), especially because she wasn’t featured inThor: Ragnarok, due to scheduling conflicts with her NBC seriesBlindspot. Then again, it’s possible that the Russos really aren’t bluffing and everyone who disintegrated stays dead, although no one really believes that since it would torch plans for several sequels, but we’ll see what happens.
