13 Underrated X-Men Characters Who Could Get An MCU Comeback
The X-Men are finally getting their time to shine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and with Jean Grey's debut in Spider-Man: Brand New Day (2026), we are finally seeing the first class form. But the past members from Fox's era are also getting a proper sendoff with Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027).
While Wolverine, Cyclops, and Beast are returning from the Fox era, there are other secondary characters that we would love to see again as well. Though the chances are low, they could still appear in an Avengers film, through resurrection or as totally new characters; but there are others who deserve a second or third chance.
Angel
Angel appeared in two films across two timelines, X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and X-Men: Apocalypse (2016). While he became Archangel in the latter, he was never treated with the attention he deserved.
As a founding X-Man, Warren Worthington III and his amazing angel wings were iconic to the team. Not only is it about time we explored this character fully, but he also deserves an arc where he's not treated as a surprise addition to an already stuffed cast.
Toad
Toad is another founding member, but this time of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, and first appeared and was subsequently killed off in X-Men (2000) and then appeared in X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014). But in that time, the character was never properly explored.
We know he has a prehensile tail, can spit goo, and can leap like a toad, but the character is still a mystery. As the MCU brings in new versions of these characters, Toad is a villain who needs more love than most.
Psylocke
Psylocke is a character with an iconic look that has yet to be topped in the comics, and X-Men: Apocalypse knew that when she made her live-action debut. However, aside from a cool look, Olivia Munn never got ot flex her psychic abilities or combat skills that matched the perfect costume.
With the MCU not afraid to be both fun and comic-accurate, now could be the time for Psylocke to appear as a threatening but ultimately good force in the mutant world. Plus, with X-Men '97 (2024) bolstering her presence, it only raises the odds of a live-action return.
Iceman
Another founding X-Man, Iceman first appeared in X-Men as a cameo character and grew in prominence before icing all the way up in X-Men: The Last Stand. The last time we saw the character was in X-Men: Days of Future Past, being brutally killed by a Sentinel and then revived in a new timeline.
Iceman is a prominent and beloved member of the X-Men with connections to other heroes like the Human Torch and Spider-Man. Not having him in the MCU would be a crime, especially if he isn't in the first class.
Lady Deathstrike
Wolverine has had many enemies in his life, but few match the persistence and malice of Lady Deathstrike in the comics. In X2: X-Men United (2003), her character wasn't done justice, even though Kelly Hu made her a threat and her fight with Wolverine was legendary.
Now, with the MCU devoted to accuracy for its characters more than ever, Lady Deathstrike has a chance. We can see her fight to avenge her father, her cybernetic enhancements, and how they influence and clash with her Japanese upbringing to make a vicious villain come to life.
Darwin
Darwin is a character who, by nature of his powers, should never die. Even if his body is destroyed, he would still find a way to survive, and this was the one thing X-Men: First Class (2009) forgot. For such a fun character to go in the way he did, audiences have never forgiven the franchise for that.
Now, with the MCU introducing mutants, it's a chance to broaden its horizons and give us a version of Darwin designed to stick around for the long haul. Whether the same actor plays him or we cast a new one, just knowing he's there would mean so much for a character done wrong in the past.
Colossus
Colossus has appeared in the X-Men films since X2: X-Men United, but a new version was also introduced in Deadpool (2016), and he was even more comic-accurate. However, he was also used as comic relief as well as the muscle in the first and second films.
Colossus is more than a kind guy who can punch through walls. He carries the weight of all those around him, and few say thank you in return. Just like X-Men '97 explored him on a deeper level, the MCU can do the same for a live-action version.
Kitty Pryde
Kitty Pryde may not be a founding X-Man, but she's become a mainstay in the comics because of the impact she's had on the team. From her time as a student to her relationship with Colossus and role as a teacher, Kitty grew so much. Unfortunately, the movies never got far with this and sidelined her as a plot device above all else.
For a character that has been around since the first film, Kitty Pryde deserves another shot on the big screen. A new era could see her train as a ninja, lead a team of outcast mutants, or return to a school she hadn't attended in years—the sky's the limit here.
Havok
The brother of Scott Summers, Havok was dealt a brutal death in X-Men: Apocalypse, and we never saw him again. It's a shame because he had immense power, and it's rare to see the Summers brothers on the big screen.
With the MCU casting both older actors in prominent roles as well as younger ones, there's no reason we can't switch the ages again to make Havok the older brother who guides Scott. Doing that could mean a deeper history with the X-Men as well as a chance to finally see both brothers in action.
Magik
Magik is both the sister of Colossus and one of the most beloved characters in the modern X-Men era. Even in the ill-fated The New Mutants (2020), she was the highlight of the film. Anya Taylor-Joy gave us a pitch-perfect adaptation of the character, who was sassy, scary, and powerful all at once.
Typically, it would make sense for the MCU to recast for this new era of X-Men, but in this case, it wouldn't be terrible to see Taylor-Joy back in the role. She never got a chance to really shine in the it, and the MCU could easily provide that space for her.
Jubilee
Jubilee is a character who has been in almost every single main X-Men movie, and you'd never even know. That's part of the problem with her character and why she deserves a comeback, especially after X-Men '97 reminded us just how powerful and fun she is.
Jubilee represents an era of the X-Men where she was one of a few students, and she made the most of that. The movies might not have known what to do with her, but the MCU could easily make the most of her talents and presence to give us a great representation of the character.
Sebastian Shaw
Sebastian Shaw made his live-action debut in X-Men: First Class as a leader of the Hellfire Club. However, this iteration was nothing like the comics, even if his powers were largely the same as in the source material.
Sebastian Shaw and the Hellfire Club are some of the most visually striking characters from the X-Men's lore, and with Emma Frost confirmed, it only makes sense to finally bring it to life with one of its strongest characters.
Bishop
Bishop appeared in live action in X-Men: Days of Future Past but has also become a prominent fixture in X-Men '97. Not only is he a fun character who represents time travel and survival, similar to Cable, but he's also someone who still deserves attention.
Bishop brings with him more storylines and fun abilities that would be great to see in live action. It may be too early to bring him in now, but he should definitely be considered as the X-Men get situated further in the MCU.
