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

2. Shuri (Black Panther)

When Black Panther roars into cinemas next year, Shuri should be earmarked as one to watch. T'Challa's sister has been a major player in the comic books for years and Marvel Studios almost certainly has big plans for her on screen.

Shuri is a tech whizz and a fierce warrior rolled into one. She's suited up as a female Black Panther on numerous occasions to help protect Wakanda, and even had a stint as its ruler while her brother lay in a coma.

If the movie doesn't have her don the vibranium mantle to join the fight against villainous duo Erik Killmonger and Ulysses Klaue, expect it to set this up for a future film, perhaps even for Infinity War. The Avengers will certainly be in need of an extra set of claws when Thanos arrives on the scene.

Played by Letitia Wright, Shuri has a number of possible destinies in the MCU. Marvel could potentially give her version of Black Panther a solo film down the line, team her up with the series' other kickass heroines in an ensemble movie, or give her equal billing to T'Challa in an Ant-Man and The Wasp-style sequel.