Marvel, Make These Movies!

Once again the internet has gone nuts over a rumor. Speaking with ComicBook.com  this week, director James Gunn mentioned that spin-off movies featuring various Guardians of the Galaxy are a possibility and mentioned that Rocket Raccoon and Groot are the obvious choices for such a project. While all this was just talk and is in no way an indication of what is in the works, it did get me thinking; what Marvel spin-offs do I want to see? Marvel Studios has brought some amazing properties to the big screen, but I think they could stand to give some of the supporting characters a bit more love. Here’s my MCU fantasy draft:

Loki

I call myself a “Loki hipster”, I’ve been a fan for years and as much as I appreciate what Tom Hiddleston has done for the character, he is not the Loki I fell in love with. I’m talking about pissed off, grizzled old Loki who sits unapologetically on his usurped throne. I know it’s unrealistic to ask Marvel to retcon such a successful franchise, so why not a Loki-centric movie that falls between Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok that features the God of Mischief bringing about the inevitable fall of Asgard? The fan girls prove that there’s a market here. Think about it Marvel!

Nova / Richard Rider

Guardians of the Galaxy introduced us to the Nova Corps, so it’s not too much of a stretch to hope for a Nova movie somewhere down the line. Richard Rider gives the Nova Corps a human touch; chosen at random as a teenager only to become the last Nova standing, Rider’s story is heroic, compelling, and would make a valuable addition to the cosmic side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Sam Wilson / Falcon

Captain America: The Winter Soldier served as the cinematic introduction for Sam Wilson who has always been a favorite of mine. Falcon’s comic backstory involves the murder of his parents and the resulting battle with his own personal demons. Wilson has been manipulated by Red Skull, partnered with Captain America and been gifted Wakandan wings; on top of that Marvel Comics have made him the new Captain America. Such an awesome history deserves its own moment in the MCU spotlight.

James Rhodes / War Machine

Before I even start to tell you why Rhodey deserves his own movie, I would like to clarify one thing; James Rhodes is War Machine, not Iron Patriot, War Machine! There, I said it. Now, Rhodey started his comic career as Tony Stark’s kick-ass pilot and one of his closest friends. He’s the kind of friend Tony needs; he is a combat ready voice of reason. The armor doesn’t make him a hero; it just makes him more dangerous to his enemies. Yes I am thrilled to see him throughout Marvel’s Iron Man movies, but he deserves his own moment in the spotlight too.

Natasha Romanov / Black Widow

Who doesn’t want to see Natasha get her own movie? From her first appearance in Iron Man 2, Scarlet Johansson’s portrayal of the Russian super-spy has had fans begging to see her history on film. The Avengers teased her back story through her relationship with Hawkeye and her conversation with Loki, now it’s like Marvel owes us an explanation. How did she get red on her ledger? Tell me what happened in Budapest! Stop torturing me Marvel!

Anyone who noticed that I haven’t mentioned a single Fox or Sony owned property gets bonus points. Of course I have a fantasy draft for them as well. Let’s see Barry Windsor Smith’s Weapon X storyline on screen, and do justice to Venom since he was robbed of his dignity in Spider-Man 3. My final dream movie, and probably the movie I want to see most of all apart from anything Wolverine related, is a movie that tells Phil Coulson’s entire backstory. Come on Marvel, make it happen!