10 New MCU Characters To Look Out For In 2018 - Ranked By Anticipation

Key debuts in Black Panther, Infinity War, and Ant-Man and The Wasp.

Peter Dinklage Pip The Troll
HBO/Marvel Comics

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is about to enter what is arguably its most important year yet. In 2018, a decade's worth of superhero adaptations will come to a head when the Avengers and their allies square off against Thanos in Infinity War, an event that promises to shake the franchise to its foundations.

This epic battle is expected to put the current status quo on course for its endgame in 2019's as yet untitled Avengers 4. Although more movies are planned, they are likely to mark a new beginning for the MCU.

Infinity War will be stuffed with heroes and villains, and while most will be familiar faces, it will hand out exciting debuts too - and it won't be the only MCU movie to do that in 2018.

In February, Black Panther will get the year underway for Marvel, whisking fans off to the techy world of Wakanda, where they will become acquainted with dozens of new characters.

After Infinity War has exploded onto the scene the following April, Marvel fans will have to wait until the summer for more superheroic action as Ant-Man and the Wasp is up next, set for a July release, and it will similarly build on the franchise's framework with the introduction yet more MCU debutantes.

10. Sonny Burch (Ant-Man And The Wasp)

Peter Dinklage Pip The Troll
Marvel Comics

Cross Industries was obliterated at the end of Ant-Man, but one of the corporation's top brass will be out for revenge in the sequel. Justified star Walton Goggins will play Sonny Burch - the firm's former chairman - in Ant-Man and The Wasp.

Burch is a known business associate of Obadiah Stane in the comic books and traditionally an Iron Man villain. It's unclear whether this means a Jeff Bridges flashback cameo is on the cards, though that would be cool.

What you can take to the bank is that he will be out for vengeance against Scott Lang and Hank Pym for the death of Darren Cross in the previous film, likely with fellow villain Ghost on his side to provide stealthy support, but it's unclear which of them is the primary antagonist - it might even be neither of them.

Burch is a relatively recent addition to Marvel Comics lore, having made his debut in Iron Man Vol. 3 #73 in December 2003.

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