Marvel Studios
Much has been said and complained and joked about today’s official press release on the start of production of Captain America: Civil War. Specifically about the cast and character list, which makes the movie seem more like a straight-up Avengers sequel than a solo Captain America installment. Never mind that that’s not how comic books or comic book movies work or that a good number of the Civil War ensemble will likely only make very brief appearances on screen.
Still, it’s worth pointing out all the major MCU characters who won’t be in the movie, because this list is comprised of fewer names than the roster of who is on board. I’ve limited the following to good guys, though Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is also out, and to only those who’ve already been introduced (Benedict Cumberbatch’s Doctor Strange could make a post-credits cameo for all we know anyway, since his movie comes next after Civil War). I’ve also excluded the entire Guardians of the Galaxy gang because that’s at least another five names alone right there.
It should go without saying that this is not an official list and Marvel could announce or sneak in one or all of these characters before the thing hits theaters one year from now. But for now we’re pretty sure these 10 are sitting Civil War, and we’re even sure of where they’ll be instead.
Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)
He’s in space, maybe. Waiting for that Planet Hulk movie that’ll never happen.
Thor (Chris Hemsworth)
He’s definitely in space – or, Asgard anyway – dealing with whatever the hell he was starting to deal with in his confusing Age of Ultron scenes.
Betty Ross (Liv Tyler)
Who the hell knows where she is? Her father, General Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt) is returning to the MCU for the first time since The Incredible Hulk. Will he tell us where his daughter is and has been while Bruce Banner/Hulk is playing hide the zucchini with Black Widow and creating a computer system named after an Archie Comics character (Veronica) who is the antithesis of another Archie Comics character (Betty) with the same name as her?
Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow)
Hey, she’s got a business to run. She doesn’t have time for superhero disputes.
Jane Foster (Natalie Portman)
Just as she was during Age of Ultron, she’s somewhere in the world doing important scientific research.
Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard)
Just as he was at the end of Age of Ultron, he’s in the basement of Avengers HQ doing important scientific research.
Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly)
As far as we know, she’s just an Avenger love interest, so like the others, she’s not invited. I think she has a company to run and important scientific research to manage.
Phil Coulson (Clark Gregg)
As far as the MCU movies go, he’s dead. But also I’m waiting for the revelation on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. that Coulson is indeed still dead and an alien has been impersonating him on the show all this time.
Maria Hill (Cobie Smulders)
She’s out shopping for shoes that won’t hurt her feet so much at Tony Stark’s next party.
Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson)
He’s hanging out in Hawkeye’s barn waiting for another Avenger to fall for the “tractor needs fixing” prank.
Related Topics: Marvel
